Apple Growers Research Articles

Managing issues in the face of risk uncertainty: lessons 20 years after the Alar controversy

PurposeThis paper aims to take a 20‐year perspective to revisit the Alar controversy, one of the most hotly argued public issues of the late 1980s, and to explore what fresh conclusions can be drawn for modern risk and issue managers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews contemporary reports and analysis, along with subsequent retrospective opinions from some key participants and commentators, and examines those conclusions in the context of current communication practice.FindingsThe Alar case triggered a major reassessment of risk communication and the role of activists and the news media in amplifying issues. But even today some facts of the case remain in dispute and some of the purported lessons have been blurred by history or appear to have had little lasting impact.Practical implicationsIssue managers increasingly find themselves defending reputation in the face of public issues which focus on scientific uncertainty, and the Alar case provides vivid examples of both what to do and what not to do.Originality/valueWhile most scholarship on the case discusses the implications for scientists, regulators and journalists, this paper throws fresh light on the case from the corporate perspective of the manufacturer of Alar, and the apple growers who found themselves in the eye of the storm.

Cost Benefits Analysis of In-field Presorting for the Apple Industry

In-field apple presorting is intended to separate culls that are only suitable for processing or making into juice from apples that would meet the fresh market requirements, so that growers can achieve cost savings in postharvest storage, grading, and sorting. This article reports on the cost benefits analysis of in-field presorting for the U. S. apple industry. Packinghouse costs for culls that would be saved from in-field presorting and in-field presorting yearly costs were defined and estimated to evaluate potential cost benefits for fresh apple growers, processing apple growers, and packinghouses. For fresh apple growers producing 1,400 bins (508 metric tons) or more, in-field presorting is beneficial if the machinery cost is equal to or less than $30,000 (assuming 7-year machine life, 0.3 full-time labor, and 44 bins/day sorting capacity). Smaller fresh apple growers producing 900 bins (327 metric tons) may also benefit from in-field presorting if the cullage rate is more than 40%. In-field presorting is more beneficial to processing apple growers even when the production capacity is as low as 700 bins (254 metric tons). Presorted apples are more consistent in quality, thus enabling packinghouses to better manage postharvest storage/packing operations to meet the market needs. In addition, a properly designed in-field presorting system can provide information about the origin and quality/condition of fruit in each bin, thus enhancing product traceability. The economic analysis results presented in this article are useful in guiding the development of in-field presorting systems that will ultimately benefit the apple industry.

Control of Hoplocampa testudinea using the extract from Quassia amara in organic apple growing

In 2008 and 2009 the effects of quassin and neoquassin (oxygenated triterpenes) on apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudinea Klug, 1814) were studied. In the Czech Republic, monitoring was carried out in small-plot trials and in one laboratory experiment. The extract containing quassin and neoquassin was made by boiling wood chips of a tropical shrub Quassia amara L. (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae). The experimental dosages were 3, 4.5, 6, and 9.25 kg of wood chips/ha. Spray treatment with the quassia extract was carried out just before most larvae hatched out. It was statistically proven that the extract from the wood of Q. amara reduced the apple sawfly infestation of fruitlets. Extract in the dosage corresponding to 3–4.5 kg of quassia wood chips for 1/ha appeared as optimal. The efficacy of these dosages was approximately 40–50%, and the efficacy above 80% was record.

Grower Expectations of New Technologies for Applications in Precision Horticulture

AE467, a 4-page article by Reza Ehsani, Sindhuja Sankaran, and Cristian Dima, reports the results of a needs assessment focus meeting. It provides a synopsis of perceived apple and orange growers’ needs, expectations, and concerns related to the new technologies being developed for various precision horticulture applications. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, October 2010.

Ecological benefits of Anystis baccarum in an orchard ecosystem and the need for its conservation

Integrated pest management programs are very important in the control of invertebrate pests within apple orchards. Many current integrated pest management strategies concentrate on specialist predatory species. However, generalist beneficial insects, such as several mite species, must also be fully researched for their potential in controlling pests. Previous research has shown that the generalist predatory mite Anystis baccarum (Linnaeus) can offer much potential in controlling invertebrate pests within Northern Irish apple orchards. However, apple growers have been mis-identifying this beneficial species as the economic pest European fruit tree red spider mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch). As a result, unnecessary pesticide applications have been applied against what has now been confirmed as a beneficial species. To aid apple growers in the identification of A. baccarum, identification cards were produced. Positive uptake of the cards by many apple growers has resulted in correct identification of A. baccarum from P. ulmi, and therefore, a reduction in chemical pesticide applications. The benefits of A. baccarum within orchard ecosystems is discussed.

Role of expectations in land allocation towards fruit crops: the case of apple

Introduction . Higher allocation of land in favour of fruits is vital to raise the farm income and productivity, but such an opportunity is also complemented with higher risk and uncertainty. Economic expectation assumes a great role, while such decisions have an impact on the welfare of farmers in terms of their income and risk. In this paper, we examined the nature of price expectations, their relationship with other economic factors, and analysed the importance of price and income expectations of the fruit (apple) growers on their land allocation decisions. Materials and methods . In this paper, the elicitation technique was used to obtain both price and income expectations of apple growers. The price expectations were compared with the actual price of apple over the last three years and then linked with farmers' input-use propensities. A regression method was used to identify the role of expectations in the decision of land allocation in favour of apple crops. Results and conclusion . Our results showed that better price expectation improves the input-use (generally labour) propensities. However, for allocation of the inelastic factor of production, i.e. , land, in favour of a fruit crop, it is the income expectations that explain farmers’ decisions. Farmers’ capacity to generate higher productivity along with the better market prospects together explain their decision regarding allocating land to high value fruit crops.

Analysis of the factors affecting apple farming: The case of Isparta province, Turkey

The commercial apple cultivation worldwide is in the midst of a major change in apple production management systems. The effects of these changes have considerably been felt in Turkey compared with the world increasing the production and consumption amounts. Therefore, the conventional orchards have been considerably transformed into modern orchards based on dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks in the producer provinces of Turkey, especially Isparta province, in recent years. The aim of the study is to analyze effects of the factors which consist of agricultural structure and infrastructure, the growers’ socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and attributes affecting apple farming in Egirdir district of Isparta, Turkey. To this end, data collected through questionnaires carried out with 125 apple growers in Egirdir district was first used for factor and then multiple regression analyses in SPSS statistical program. The results of the study showed that if the planting distances, by renewing the apple rootstocks and willingness of the farm managers to work out of their own farms, were decreased and the other factors were gradually increased up to the optimum input levels, the growers’ attribute and attitudes could be effectively used. As a result, the total apple production could be considerably increased in terms of technical effectiveness. If the scarce sources used for apple farming could be effectively used, a major contribution to the regional and national economy along with the annual incomes of the farmers could be realized. Key words: Apple farming, factor and regression analysis, rootstocks, apple cultivar, modern apple orchard layout.

Toxicidade e produção de maçãs no sul do Brasil

The article explores the links between the controversial apprehension of contaminated apples in southern Brazil in 1989 and the reactions of the apple industry to press reports on the use of pesticides in Brazilian orchards. The issue is framed within a broader analysis of the notions of toxicity and 'danger' surrounding the consumption of healthier food and the idea of 'food security,' notions that have begun taking hold in public and private life. It is argued that apple growers' responses to the problem can be better understood through a historical reading of the interactions between the biology of the apple tree, the agroecology of this monoculture, and the structures, actors, and discourses of the human and non-human groups in Brazil's apple-producing region.

Reducing russeting of Golden Group Apple Cultivars organically grown with Potassium Bicarbonate

One of the biggest problems for organic apple growing is the quality of fruits that means size, color, and shape characteristic to the cultivar, without russeting. The fruits are very sensitive six weeks after bloom (Gildemacher, 2000). Sensitivity to russeting can be built in the period before bloom (Babin, 1977, Berkett, 2005. The effects are more visible when the cooper based fungicides before bloom are used. When the copper was replaced with sulphur or lime sulfur, better results were obtained (Jong, 2008). Experiments were conducted in 2008 in a commercial orchard at SC Agroindustriala SA ClujNapoca. The former is 5 ha of five years old trees on M9 spaced at 3,5 X 0,9 m including five cultivars of Golden Group: Golden Delicious, Golden Reinders, Lysgolden, Smoothee. The objective of this study was to test the effect of potassium bicarbonate in reducing apple russeting in comparison with classical product used in organically apple grown The experimental applied products were: copper hidroxid, 50%, wettable sulphur 80%, potassium bicarbonate 20% . Best results in reducing russeting to Golden Group were obtained in variants treated with potassium bicarbonate, where values obtained were ranged in scale between light and moderate russet, with differences statistically insured against variants treated with copper hydroxid. Treatment with wettable sulphur were less indus russeting than those with copper hydroxid.

Differential Intervention Strategies to Improve the Management of Hazardous Chemicals in Small Enterprises

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to investigate new ways of managing hazardous chemicals in small businesses. This purpose is pursued by examining owner-managers’ perception, knowledge and practice in relation to the management of hazardous chemicals, and the preferred information sources used in small businesses in three industry sectors. Seventy-five owner-managers of small businesses (36 hairdressers, 25 printers and 14 apple growers) in New Zealand were interviewed about their attitude towards hazardous chemicals, as well as their knowledge and management of them. The majority of the owners were not concerned about dealing with the chemicals used in their industry. In general, their knowledge about health and safety, as well as their compliance practice in relation to hazardous chemicals, was poor, although they were unaware of this fact. The apple growers stood out as having the best practical management of hazardous chemicals, and the hairdressers and printers had poorer management practices but...

Farmer responses to climate change and sustainable agriculture. A review

Climate change is a major issue for agricultural sustainability, and changes in farming practices will be necessary both to reduce emissions and to adapt to a changing climate and to new social expectations. A complicating factor is that the processes of behaviour change are complex and can be slow to occur. Discourse analysis is useful in understanding how the discourses farmers are embedded in contribute to resistance to change. Discourses are particular ways of using language in particular situations. They have wide ranging effects on beliefs, values and behaviours. Interviews were conducted in 2008 with 63 respondents, including 22 apple growers, 29 dairy farmers and 12 agricultural consultants in Tasmania, Australia. In undertaking a discourse analysis of the transcripts of these interviews utilising N-Vivo, four specific discourses were identified as being important in shaping farmers’ perspectives of climate change and sustainability: Money, Earth, Human responsibility and Questioning. Each discourse contributes to resistance to changing behaviour in particular ways. An understanding of these discourses offers a new approach to facilitating behaviour change.

Organic versus integrated apple growing: I. differences in soil and leaf parameters

The aim our study was to establish whether significant differences in nutrients uptake and quality of soil and leaf exist between organic and integrated grown apples. The study was performed at the orchard Fruit Research Station, University of Debrecen, at Debrecen-Pallag during 2002–2004. Macro and micro elements were measured in soil and plant samples. Analyses of variance of soil nitrogen data indicated highly significant differences between the two management systems (P < 0.001) for each examined nitrogen fraction. Analyses of variance of soil phosphate data indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two management systems for orto-PO4 3– contents. Our data indicated that highly significant differences between the two management systems (P < 0.001) for magnesium, copper, and zinc; while significant differences between the two management systems was at P = 0.007 for calcium. Three year’s data of leaf phosphorus, sulphur and zinc were not shown significant differences between production systems. Nevertheless manganese and copper contents of leaves were higher in the organic orchard compared to the integrated one.

Organic versus integrated apple growing: II. differences in fruit quality parameters

The aim our study was to establish whether significant differences in nutrients uptake and quality of fruit existbetween organic and integrated grown apples. The study was performed at the orchard Fruit Research Station, University of Debrecen, at Debrecen-Pallag during 2002–2004. Diameter (mm), weight (g), firmness (N/cm2), dry matter (%) and Vitamin C in fruit were determined. Diameter data showed that the size of apples strongly depended on cultivars and organic apples were larger than integrated ones. Moreover, the effect of year and species strongly affected the apple diameter, size and weight. Measured data of firmness were good agreement in data of diameter and weight. Larger fruits have lower values of firmness due to the structure of fruit flesh. Dry matter content of apples varied between 14.66 and 18.07 in integrated, and 12.87 and 17.29 in organic apples according to cultivars. Values were affected by years and cultivars. From results it was evident that the dry matter content of apples affected by production system. It was lower in organic samples than integrated ones.Vitamin C content of apples was stronger affected by species and years than production system.

DEVELOPMENT OF CISGENIC APPLES WITH DURABLE RESISTANCE TO APPLE SCAB

Most of the apple (Malus × domestica) growers are facing serious disease problems with apple scab which is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. Developing a resistant variety in apple through classical breeding is very slow and inefficient. So, we aim at improving existing apple varieties through a new concept called cisgenesis which saves time and effort compared to classical breeding. Malus floribunda proved to be a good source of natural scab resistance genes. The genes HcrVf1 and HcrVf2, consisting of promoter, coding and terminator sequences in their natural configuration, were isolated from Malus floribunda and cloned into the binary vector pMF1. Apple cv. 'Gala' was transformed with pMF1 containing HcrVf1 and HcrVf2, individually or in combination. pMF1 can be used to obtain marker-free plants by recombinase-based excision of a fragment carrying undesired gene sequences, such as antibiotic-selection marker genes, leaving behind only the gene(s)-of-interest and one recombination site. Using this vector it is therefore possible to stack several genes by retransformation using the same selection procedure. In order to obtain durable resistance, we have the intention to combine different resistance genes from Malus either by stacking them one by one or by introducing them all together in one T-DNA. Performance of all different types of cisgenic plants will be evaluated by monitoring scab resistance levels phenotypically and by determining gene expression profiles through quantitative RT-PCR.

APPLE SCION AND ROOTSTOCK SELECTION AND PLANNING FOR MICHIGAN

The training system that an apple (Malus xdomestica) grower selects must be one which best maximizes all the resources in making the enterprise a profitable venture. There are many parts to the orchard system decision puzzle which must fit together in a complementary arrangement to gain maximum precision and profitability. The most immediate question that must be answered regarding the establishment of a new orchard is spacing. Extension agents and growers often need assistance in determining optimum tree density for sites. Trees planted too close, cause excessive shading and competition for resources results in inadequate light penetration, poor quality fruit, low cropping, excessive labor in pruning to reduce shading impact, etc. Excessive distance results in inefficient planting designs where the land surface is under utilized and long term profitability may be compromised. In 1989, we made an initial attempt at trying to simplify the decision making process by considering the most important variables and assigning them values (number codes in parentheses) in a formula. Assessments on vigor are derived from rootstock and cultivar trials and field observations. Our experience gained from working with the high density orchards and with new cultivars and rootstocks has encouraged us to frequently update the model. The formula is available on the Michigan State University Department of Horticulture web site for general use by the public, students and extension field agents in an interactive mode (spacing calculator) http://www.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/clements/appletreespacing.htm. More revision in the future will be necessary as we learn more of the technical intricacies of new rootstocks, cultivars, marketing demands and management constraints. The primary factors affecting spacing include; scion vigor, rootstock vigor, soil type, irrigation, management system and the interactions that take place between them.

Red apple juice: breeding, drink- and growing technology for the development of a new, innovative product.

A ‘Wijcik’-called, natural mutation of the 'McIntosh' kind of apple, with red pulp and light red juice, was discovered in the 50ies. Its fruits growing very close to the trunk characterize it. The crown of these columnar tree is about 3-4 meters long, with a diameter about 20-30 cm. The advantage of this kind of tree is that tree-cut is mostly unnecessary, tunnel-spraying equipment can be used and harvesting maybe fully mechanised. This new product, combined with the new kind of cultivation, requires for new technologies for growing and harvesting. While labour becomes the limiting factor of production, handwork is impractical and thus a new method for mechanical harvesting in columnar apple growing is needed. For this purpose, a mechanical grape harvester, adapted for these special apple trees by modifying the harvesting head, is used to prove the suitability of this technique in pomiculture. Furthermore, tunnel-spraying equipment is adapted for this purpose and tested as well, in order to enable drift and loss reduction in plant protection.

Climatic potential and risks for apple growing by 2040

The impact of climatic change in 1971–2040 on the potential production areas and risks to nine apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh.) was studied over continental Finland using agro-climatic indices and gridded daily mean (Tm) and minimum temperatures from the Rossby Centre regional atmospheric climate model (RCA3) with SRES A2. Point data on daily minimum temperatures from 14 weather stations and low and high warming scenarios were also used. From the 1970’s to the present day, the areas of successful maturing of fruits have strongly expanded northwards. It is predicted that in 2011–2040, the warming of climate will allow expansion of commercial production in the south-eastern lake area, and a wider selection of cultivars for home gardens up to latitudes 65–66°N. Risk of extremely low temperatures (Tm< -26 °C) has reduced from 1980’s to the present but may not reduce much more in 2011–2040. Risk to shoots from fluctuating temperatures in winter and spring is likely to increase under the high warming scenario, more in the south-west than in the south-east. Risk to trees from cold days (Tm< -15 °C) with a concurrent thin snow cover is not predicted to increase. In the western inland of the country, below latitude 63°N, and in the south-western coast areas the frost risk during flowering may increase, especially in the early flowering cultivars. In order to adapt to and gain from the climatic change, breeding and testing targets should be modified within five years and they should include reduced sensitivity to temperature fluctuation in winter, late flowering, and frost tolerance of flowers.;

Adoption of Integrated Pest Management by apple growers: the role of context

The adoption of pest and disease management practices has been the subject of numerous studies. Unfortunately, there is little consistency in their findings with regard to the variables that influence growers' decisions to adopt these techniques. In this study we focus on context as a means of explaining the lack of consistency. We used the results of in-depth interviews and a mail survey to explore context as a predictor of Australian apple growers' behaviour with respect to the management of codling moth and pest mites. We found that climate, topography, spatial separation between orchards and the crop mix determined the type and intensity of pest and disease pressures experienced by growers. Given the types and intensities of pest and disease pressures present, the management practices growers used depended on the range and effectiveness of the control options that were available to them. We concluded that variables representing specific aspects of orchard context were the primary determinants of the particular combinations of pest and disease management practices used by apple growers, not variables representing demographic and general enterprise characteristics that have been proposed in past studies.

Apple Growers' Associations in Northwestern India: Emergence, Success, and Limitations in the Context of State-Society Interactions

Apple growers' associations in northwestern Himalayas have played an important role in the transition from subsistence agriculture to commercial horticulture, experienced by the state of Himachal Pradesh in the last three decades. This paper is a case study of an association, explaining its emergence and successful functioning in terms of the historically specific and privileged relationship with the state. Furthermore, the convergence between the association's goals and the state's imperatives can only be understood in light of the sociopolitical and geographic reality of the region, which have made horticulture, particularly apple production, an economically and culturally viable development option. Finally, the paper analyzes both the successes of the association in overcoming entrenched problems long faced by apple growers, as well as its not-so successful record in promoting broader social and environmental goals, the key to the sustainability of horticulture in the region.

Organic Apple Production in Two Humid Regions: Comparing Progress in Pest Management Strategies in Iowa and New Zealand

By 2003, organic apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] production had increased to 5626 ha in the United States and to 2964 ha in New Zealand by 2002. Common problems facing organic apple growers in the humid regions of New Zealand and the United States include effective management strategies for apple scab [Venturia inaequalis (Cooke)] and insect pests. Experiments conducted in Iowa in 2003–2004 demonstrated the effectiveness of a kaolin clay- and spinosad-based insecticide program in maintaining codling moth [Cydia pomonella (L.)] damage levels to less than 5% in the scab-resistant cultivars Enterprise, Liberty, Redfree, and Gold Rush. Similar pest management systems have been developed in New Zealand to comply with export standards and quarantines. The use of codling moth granulosis virus and a spinosad-based insecticide have led to reduced pest pressure and to an increase in organic exports with a 41% premium price over conventional apples. However, an association between spinosad use and woolly apple aphid [Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann)] population increase was observed in organic orchard surveys in 2006. An alternative to spinosad applications, insect disinfestation through controlled atmosphere (CA) treatment, was investigated to control quarantined pests and to extend the storage potential of scab-resistant cultivars. A CA treatment of 9 weeks of 2% O2 and 2% CO2 at 0.5 °C was determined to maintain firmness ratings to export standards in CA-stored, scab-resistant ‘Pinkie’ apples and to decrease internal ethylene concentration by 84% compared with apples stored in air. In addition, new scab-resistant cultivars with ‘Pinkie’ background under development in New Zealand show promise for organic production in humid regions. Few fruit quality differences were determined between ‘Pinkie’ fruits from integrated fruit production and organic production systems, although premium prices exist only for certified organic apples.