Abstract
This review focuses on the process of adapting the original concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to the wider conception of the Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) implemented in Europe. Even though most of the pest management strategies still rely on the use of synthetic pesticides, a wide array of innovative and environmentally friendly tools are now available as possible alternative to the pesticides within the modern apple production system. We also highlight how recent pest management strategies and tools have created an opening for research towards IPM improvement, including the use of biorational pesticides, semiochemicals and biological control. Forecasting models, new tree training systems and innovative spray equipment have also been developed to improve treatment coverage, to mitigate pesticide drift and to reduce chemical residues on fruits. The possible threats that jeopardize the effective implementation of IPM and particularly the risks related to the development of the pesticide resistance and the introduction of new invasive pests are also reviewed. With the directive 128/09, the European legislation recognizes IPM as a strategic approach for the sustainable use of pesticides. Within this context, IPM and related guidelines is called to meet different areas of concern in relation to the worker and bystander safety. Beside the traditional economic criteria of the market-oriented agriculture, sustainable agriculture includes the assessment of the environmental impact of the agronomic practices within the societal context where they take place. As a consequence of the raising consumer concerns about environmental impacts generated by the fruit production, IFP certification over product standards, including process aspects, are frequently required by consumers and supermarket chains.
Highlights
Pest control in fruit orchards was based on broad-spectrum pesticides which were associated with a diversity of problems, traditionally including environmental effects, beneficial organism extinction, and pesticide resistance
The term bio-pesticide has only recently been proposed to describe those insecticides that are efficacious against the target pest but are less detrimental to natural enemies [29,30]
The combination of a different mode of action of insecticides is a challenge in apple production which should take into account market requirements for residues, the permitted active ingredients and the need to avoid resistances
Summary
Pest control in fruit orchards was based on broad-spectrum pesticides which were associated with a diversity of problems, traditionally including environmental effects, beneficial organism extinction, and pesticide resistance. Other potential negative effects caused by the use of pesticides in agriculture have drowned the attention of the public and policy makers: the threat toward the pesticide applicators and bystanders’ health and the food safety endangered by pesticide residues Fears about these issues have increased the interest in the development of alternative means for pest control that causes trivial or no impact on humans, beneficial organisms and sensitive ecosystems [1,2]. Action Plans to set up quantitative objectives, targets, measures and timetables to reduce risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and to encourage the development and introduction of IPM and of alternative approaches or techniques in order to reduce dependency on the use of pesticides Within this context, IPM has changed its original goal and it is called to cover different areas of concern including worker protection, pesticide residues on fruits and overall protection of the environment and society. A discussion is drawn on how these tools may be transformed to proxies based on the implementation of recent guidelines, market requirements and the skeletal system of the EU directives
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