MULTI-LEVEL COMPARISONS OF ORGANIC AND INTEGRATED FRUIT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR 'LIBERTY' APPLE IN NEW YORK

Abstract

We conducted a comprehensive, long-term, systems-level experiment comparing integrated (IFP) and organic fruit production (OFP) systems in an established commercial orchard of disease resistant 'Liberty' apple trees on M.9 rootstock. In Year 1 (2004), both systems were equally productive and net returns were similar but the variable costs for OFP were greater than those for IFP due to greater hand thinning needs and weekly kaolin applications in a cool, rainy growing season. In 2005, harvested OFP yields were 26% greater than IFP yields but 30% of OFP fruit was unmarketable due to insect damage. Thus OFP returns were about half of IFP returns. With only four kaolin applications in 2005 (a dry summer), OFP costs were 25% lower than the previous year. However, in that year, an application of bark mulch to the IFP system resulted in 23% greater costs than OFP. In 2006, there were 10% lower OFP yields and smaller fruit size but OFP costs were increased with the addition of more expensive pest control products. Cosmetic blemishes were significant on OFP fruit during 2006. The 2007 data were largely similar to 2006, except for less cosmetic injury to the OFP fruit. In triangle taste tests, panelists could distinguish between fruit from the two systems in 2005-07. However, there were no consistent trends in flavor or texture attributes judged by panelists. Antioxidant activity, total polyphenolic concentrations, and mineral content of apples were similar between both systems in all years. Four years of evaluation suggest that IFP could be widely implemented in the Northeastern USA, and while OFP is feasible for disease-resistant apples, a price premium may be needed to offset the reduced profitability incurred from arthropod pests, poor fruit finish, and small fruit size.