Varieties and Integrated Pest and Disease Management Programme for Organic Apple Production

Organic Apple Production in the UK: Background

Despite increasing demand for organic apples in recent years, there are currently few producers of organic fruit in the UK and demand is satisfied largely through imports. Constraints to increased production of organic apples include a lack of suitable varieties and challenging pest and disease problems that can cause huge crop losses and a reduction in external quality. Satisfactory protocols for pest and disease management in organic systems have also yet to be developed. The net result is that organic apple production in the UK is, at present, technically very difficult and few growers have the confidence to convert to organic production.

Results and project reports are now available here:

• Download project details and results here (PDF - 87Kb)
• Downlaod results and performance details of the specific apple varieties trialled (PDF - 479Kb)

Aims of the project:

The main aim of the project is to develop systems for growing organic apples in the UK, with particular focus on the main pest and disease problems, using an approach that is both sustainable for the long term and environmentally beneficial. The project will also aim to identify suitable disease-resistant varieties that can be grown on a commercial scale. The foundations for the project follow wide consultation with the industry (growers, suppliers and researchers) in both the organic and conventional sectors. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), this five-year project is led by Horticulture Research International (HRI) East Malling.

Key Objectives:

• To evaluate and refine an Integrated Pest and Disease Management programme for organic apple production using varietal resistance, cultural, physical and biological control strategies, together with optimisation of the use of organic plant protection products. Two organic growers' orchards will be used for this purpose.
• Novel products for the control of scab, mildew and rosy apple aphid (which have shown promise in other countries but which are not currently registered for use in organic production the UK), will be evaluated.
• Over 100 apple varieties with potential for organic production will be evaluated for fruit quality and the 20 most promising varieties in terms of eating and processing quality; disease resistance, storage potential and appearance will be identified. Fruit technologists from the industry partners will be involved in the varietal screening and fruit samples together with related information will be sourced worldwide. Those varieties selected as showing promise will be assessed for agronomic performance within organic systems during the latter stages of the project.
• The project should identify successful methods of organic apple production through the strategic use of novel treatments, cultural practise and varietal recommendations. This will enhance grower and industry confidence to supply and develop the UK organic apple market with 'home grown' organic fruit.

Collaborating partners:

HRI East Malling (www.hri.ac.uk),
HDRA,
Apple and Pear Research Council (www.aprc.org.uk),
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd,
Waitrose Ltd,
Fruition,
OrchardWorld,
Fourayes Farms,
E.H Wilson & Sons,
Northcourt Fruit Farm
and the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research.

HDRA's research department is closely involved in organic fruit research through collaboration with Horticulture Research International, East Malling and the Organic Soft Fruit Working Group, which will provide much of the guidance and suggestions for the booklet. Other research and advisory bodies in the UK and abroad will be involved in the production of the guide, in addition to information and advice provided by existing organic growers. This will hopefully stimulate an increased interest in organic cane and bush fruit production and encourage growers to make better use of such crops within a mixed farm system.

Grower booklets:

'Organic Apple Production - Pest and Disease Management'
'Organic Strawberry Production - a grower's guide'

HDRA has released two DEFRA-funded grower's guides on organic apple and strawberry production. 'Organic apple production - pest and disease management' and  'Organic strawberry production - a grower's guide' both offer practical advice for organic fruit growers. Each booklet includes sections on practical aspects of production, varieties, soil fertility, weed control, habitat management and a comprehensive section on pests and diseases and their control, together with details of economics and marketing.

The two guides are based on the practical knowledge of organic growers in the UK and abroad together with findings from a number of previous research projects and advisory material. Leaflets on the same topic from the Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland also provided a basis for booklets, and have been extensively revised and updated for relevance to UK conditions. Contributions to the guides were also received from researchers at HRI East Malling, ADAS Fruit Team, Farm Advisory Services Team (FAST Ltd), The Soil Association, The Organic Advisory Service at Elm Farm and the Organic Soft Fruit Working Group.

The 36 page, full-colour booklets are available from HDRA, priced £8 each (+54p P&P per booklet).

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