Productivity and fruit quality evaluation of 'Liberty' apple (Malus x domestica Borkh) under a reduced fungicide program
2002
Garcia, M.E. | Berkett, L.P. | Costante, J.F. | Clements, J. | Neff, G.
‘Liberty’, a scab-resistant apple cultivar, offers a biological alternative to fungicide use. Research was conducted at the University of Vermont Horticulture Research Center, Burlington, Vermont, USA over a three-year period (1996-1998) to determine whether a reduced fungicide program adversely affects overall tree vigor, productivity, and fruit quality of ‘Liberty’ trees. Data collected include measurements of tree vigor (tree size, trunk cross sectional area, shoot length, and time of leaf abscission), spur characteristics, yield efficiency, fruit quality (diameter, firmness, disorders, etc.), and pack-out ratings. Results show no significant differences between the two treatments in most of the parameters measured. Significant differences exist in time of defoliation, incidence of leaf spots, and in some pack-out ratings. The estimated gross monetary value of the crop appeared similar in 1996 and 1997; in 1998, there was a larger discrepancy between the value of the treated versus non-treated crop because of the high incidence of disease symptoms (sooty blotch, flyspeck) and physiological disorders at harvest on non-treated fruit attributed to the exceptionally wet growing season. Incorporating 'Liberty' trees into orchards would reduce the need for fungicide applications and further the goal of integrated pest management (IPM). It also would increase the feasibility of organic apple production.
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