The “Rodenator”: an efficient device for controlling field mice and root voles?

Field mice (Microtus arvalis), wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and root voles (Arvicola terrestis) constitute a big threat to the organic apple orchards in South Tyrol. The use of rodenticides on the fields is not allowed in organic farming. The fruit growers rely on the help of different natural predators. If populations increase, the possibility of trapping and gasifying with equipment which produces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide remain. Both methods are problematic. Trapping requires skill and time. Gasifying is not unproblematic to the health of the user. Recently a device has been imported which is used successfully in the United States to control different soil-dwelling rodents. In the orchards of South Tyrol, various field trials were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of the ‘Rodenator’ in controlling field mice

Replant problems in South Tyrol: role of fungal pathogens and microbial populations in conventional and organic apple orchards

South Tyrol, the main Italian apple growing area, is characterised by an highly intensive soil cultivation. Previous investigations shows the existence of replant disorders although it has not been evaluated which are the main causes. A survey has been carried out in this area with two main aims I) to evaluate the role of soil borne pathogens in apple replant disease and II) to evaluate the effect of soil management toward soil borne pathogens causing replant diseases. The experimental sites were chosen in order to obtain three couples of contiguous conventional and organic apple orchards. Soil sickness test with young apple plants gave a significant growth reduction in all soil samples if compared to a peat control. Among all root colonising fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Aphanomyces sp., Cy/incrocarpon sp., Rhizoctonia sp. and Pythium sp.) some Rhizoctonia solani strains and all Pythium spp. were the most pathogenic. In all cases organic management seems to reduce the soil sickness severity caused by root rot fungal pathogens

Neues aus dem Versuchswesen im ökologischen Obst- und Weinbau

Der Sachbereich Ökologischer Anbau des Versuchszentrums Laimburg und die Unità Sperimentazione Agraria e Agricoltura Sostenibile des Agrarinstituts in San Michele all’Adige, Fondazione Edmund Mach, organisierten im August 2012 eine öffentliche Versuchsvorstellung. Dadurch boten wir einmal mehr die Möglichkeit, einem breiten Publikum Einblicke in die aktuellsten Versuchsaktivitäten und -ergebnisse zu geben

Manejo de plantas daninhas na cultura do tomateiro Weed management in tomato

O tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum) é a segunda hortaliça em importância no Brasil. O controle de plantas daninhas na cultura representa um dos principais componentes do custo de produção, sendo imprescindível para a obtenção de produtividades elevadas e de frutos de qualidade. Neste texto são apresentados de forma detalhada os efeitos adversos da interferência das plantas daninhas sobre a cultura, tanto daquele cultivado a partir de mudas transplantadas como de semeadura direta. Também são discutidos, para diferentes situações de cultivo, aspectos sobre o período crítico de competição das plantas daninhas durante o ciclo da cultura. Por fim, são apresentadas as principais estratégias utilizadas para o controle de plantas daninhas na cultura do tomateiro, por meio de medidas preventivas, culturais, mecânicas e químicas, com base nas informações atualmente disponíveis sobre esse tema.<br>Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is the second most important vegetable grown in Brazil. Weed control in tomato culture is one of the main components in crop production costs. However, weed management is indispensable to achieve both high yields and fruit quality. A detailed discussion is presented in this work concerning the adverse effects of weed interference in the crop, both grown from transplanted seedlings and field-sown tomato. Aspects related to the critical period of weed competition during the crop cycle for both growing conditions are also discussed. Finally, the major strategies used for weed management in tomato crops are also presented, such as preventive, cultural, mechanic, and chemical control measures, based on the literature currently available