50 research outputs found
The âRodenatorâ: 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
âRodenatorâ in controlling field mice
The mineralization of commercial organic fertilizers at 8°C temperature
In organic production only organic fertilizers and soil conditioners can be used to supply
the soil with nitrogen. The mineralization of these products is slow and so there can be
problems with the supply of nitrogen, when the demand of the plants is high. The supply of
nitrogen from organic products depends on the speed of their mineralization which is
primarily influenced by the composition and formulation of their raw material.
In apple production in the Alps-region especially during spring problems with nitrogen
supply are common. In that period, the weather conditions are sometimes bad, the
temperature in the soil is low and mineralization starts slowly - apple trees demand more
nitrogen than the soil can deliver.
To compensate the demand of the apple tree organic growers can not use mineral
fertilizers but only organic fertilizers and soil conditioners whose mineralization rate is often
unknown. There is a strong need in organic fruit production to receive more information
about the behaviour of fertilizers in the soil especially concerning their N-release under
different conditions.
To acquire that information, incubation experiments under controlled conditions
(temperature, type of soil, humidity of the soil) were carried out in the laboratory to
determine the mineralization-rate of different organic fertilizers and soil conditioners which
are available in our region
Mid-term report for the CORE Organic II funded project. âInnovative cropping Practices to increase soil health of organic fruit tree orchardsâ BIO-INCROP
Activities performed in the first part of BIO-INCROP project concern five of the eight main objectives fixed in the project proposal. They are:
Evaluation of soil borne pest and pathogens involved in replant disease
Role of rhizospheric bacterial and fungal communities in plant health
Selection of naturally available resources to increase microbial diversity and biomass
Compost and organic amendments
Evaluation of biologically active formulates
The document reports main research results and shows main items of dissemination activity performed in the first part of the project
Effect of biostimulants on apple quality at harvest and after storage
Nutritional unbalances, such as calcium deficiency at the fruit level, are generally the causative agent of post-harvest disorders in apples. Foliar application of Ca as calcium chloride is the current solution to increase Ca concentration in apples, even though the effectiveness of this approach is often not satisfactory. In this research, we tested the efficacy of a combined application of Ca with selected biostimulants to improve apple quality and to reduce the incidence of storage disorders. The experiment was conducted in two \u201cJonathan\u201d apple orchards that differed in management systems and characteristics. Tree canopies were sprayed with calcium chloride alone and in combination with a commercial product containing zinc and silicon or a seaweed extract. The seaweed extract increased apple quality by boosting the reddish coloration (+32% of color index) and by enhancing final anthocyanin concentration of fruit skin. Both biostimulants significantly reduced (by 20%) the incidence of the physiological disorder, known as \u201cJonathan spot\u201d, after 160 days of storage. Increased concentration of nutrients (Ca, Zn, and Mn) in the skin of apples after biostimulant applications, together with changes of the phenolic profile during the storage, are discussed as the possible causes of the reduced fruit susceptibility to post-harvest disorders
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 Ăkologischer Anbau des Versuchszentrums Laimburg und die UnitĂ Sperimentazione Agraria e Agricoltura Sostenibile des Agrarinstituts in San Michele allâAdige, Fondazione Edmund Mach, organisierten im August 2012 eine öffentliche Versuchsvorstellung. Dadurch boten wir einmal mehr die Möglichkeit, einem breiten Publikum Einblicke in die aktuellsten VersuchsaktivitĂ€ten und -ergebnisse zu geben
Testing the effect of a rainproof protection net on the apple production regarding disease and pest damages
In a field trial within the CORE Organic project DOMINO, the effect of a rain protection combined with lateral insect nets (âKeep in touch â Antiacquaâ) was tested for organic apple production. The rain-proof roof should protect the trees from rainwater, reducing the emergence of fungal infections such as scab and rotting diseases including post harvest diseases, while the lateral nets should markedly decrease the damages caused by pests.
The Keep in touch system without any spray from the blooming on was compared to an uncovered and unsprayed treatment (control) as well as an uncovered and organically sprayed treatment. The trial was carried out from 2019 to 2021 on âGalaâ in South Tyrol and âTopazâ and âAriwaâ in Switzerland. Diseases and pests on the trees resp. on the fruits were assessed during the season resp. at harvest. Furthermore, fruit quality and post-storage diseases on fruits were rated
The mineralization of commercial organic fertilizers at 8°C temperature
Abstract In organic production only organic fertilizers and soil conditioners can be used to supply the soil with nitrogen
Control of Adoxophyes orana F.v.R. with entomopathogens and NeemAzal-T/S: first approach for optimal combination strategies
The application 01 NeemAzal-T/S, a product based on Neem extracts and plant oil, lor aphid contro I in apple orchards shows promising side effects on Adoxophyes orana. However, the efficacy 01 the recommended dosage 01 3 Vha at red bud stage is not enough lor a satisfying control 01 A. orana orchards with medium and high pest pressure. Field trials were carried out to introduce these side ellects in combination strategies with Bacillus thuringiensis or CA. PEX 2 (Granulovirus) lor ellicient control 01 this pesI
Evaluating inputs for organic farming â a new system. Proposals of the ORGANIC INPUTS EVALUATION project
This volume contains proposals for criteria for evaluation of plant protection products, fertilisers and soil conditioners1 to be used in organic agriculture. These ideas were developed in the course of the European Union (EU) Concerted Action project âORGANIC INPUTS EVALUATIONâ (QLK5-CT-2002-02565). For more information on this project see the end of this volume or visit the project website www.organicinputs.org. The documents in this volume are proposals elaborated by the project consortium and external experts. They were discussed with a broader audience at a public conference held in Brussels on October 13, 2005, and have been amended accordingly.
Our proposals also include a âcriteria matrixâ, which is in Microsoft Excel format, and therefore stands as a separate file. The criteria matrix is discussed in section 5, but we strongly recommend that you consult the original document. To illustrate the use of the matrix, we have further prepared two case studies, which are also separate Excel files. All of these files are contained on the CD, and can also be downloaded from the project website.
Currently, Regulation 2092/91 is under revision. We hope that our ideas can be incorporated into the regulation during this revision! In addition, we strongly encourage national institutions to make use of our proposals at the national level