Assessment of the susceptibility to pests and diseases of 36 apple cultivars in four low-input organic orchards in France

One of the keystones of the organic orchard is the cultivar choice as one element of pest and disease control. However, few exhaustive data sets concerning the cultivar susceptibility to pests and diseases are available for growers. In order to identify cultivars adapted to organic production methods, the susceptibility to scab, aphids and powdery mildew and the agronomic properties of 36 cultivars were assessed in four French sites under different pedo-climatic conditions. Different levels of susceptibility to scab were observed for 23 scab Vf-resistant and 13 other cultivars. In the North of France where Vf resistance is overcome, the Vf cultivars displayed different levels of scab severity. A high variability in the susceptibility to aphids was observed whereas susceptibility to powdery mildew varied less. The analysis of susceptibility properties, yield and fruit quality, fruit storability and tree behaviour permitted to identify a set of interesting cultivars according to the site

Entomological and functional role of floral strips in an organic apple orchard: Hymenopteran parasitoids as a case study

Habitat manipulation techniques improve the availability of resources required by natural enemies to increase their effectiveness. This study focused on the effects of floral strips on Hymenopteran parasitoid presence. The experiments were conducted during spring 2007 in one organic low-input apple orchard located in south-eastern France. The density and the diversity of parasitic wasps collected from sown floral strips were higher than those from mown plants. The family of parasitic wasps of Braconidae was strongly dominant, followed by Mymaridae and Pteromalidae. By studying 26 flowering species, the greatest diversity and density of parasitic wasps were collected from Potentilla reptans, Achillea millefolium, Trifolium repens and Torilis arvensis. In terms of the early flowering plants, the most important results were observed in Euphorbia helioscopia, Senecio vulgaris and Veronica persica. To give an idea of the functional role of these plants, we studied the parasitic wasps of the diapausing larvae (cocoon) of codling moth Cydia pomonella. We recorded three emerged species: Ascogaster quadridentata, Pristomerus vulnerator and the hyperparasite Perilampus fulvicornis. However, none of these species have been observed on the 26 studied plants. Hence, this result may be suggesting that the studied plants do not have a functional role concerning these parasitoids. These studies may be advantageous for biological control programs in order to select flowering plant species attracting parasitic wasps specific to fruit pests

Assessment of diseases susceptibility of peach cultivars in experimental plots and on-farm for organic and low-input systems. Baseline of French case studies

Despite a high turn-over of new peach cultivars, their suitability for organic and low-input systems remains unknown for most of them. Diseases susceptibility is an important criteria to consider since diseases control is a bottleneck to peach production in theses systems. Since 2001, 81 peach cultivars were assessed in 2 experimental sites and 7 on-farm plots

ÉVALUATION DE LA SENSIBILITÉ AUX BIOAGRESSEURS DE 36 VARIÉTÉS DE POMMIERS DANS UN RÉSEAU DE PARCELLES BIOLOGIQUES À FAIBLES INTRANTS

Les bioagresseurs sont une des principales limites à la production de pomme dans les systèmes conduits en AB et à faibles niveaux d’intrants. Une des clefs du contrôle des bioagresseurs dans ces vergers est le choix des variétés (Trapman et Jansonius, 2008). La variabilité de l’expression de la sensibilité variétale peut être appréhendée grâce à un réseau multi-site pluri-annuel. Quatre parcelles de pommier biologique conduites de manière semi-extensive ont été plantées en 2002 afin d’identifier des variétés d’intérêts pour les systèmes à faible intrants. 36 variétés ont été suivies afin d’évaluer conjointement leur sensibilité à la tavelure, aux pucerons et à l’oïdium.La thématique de cette étude initiée en 2002 se trouve être au coeur des questionnements récents sur la réduction des intrants en arboriculture (programme ECOPHYTO 2018). Cette étude souligne (1) la spécificité des variétés intéressantes pour un site donné, (2) l’apparation dans certains cas de maladies considérées comme anecdoctiques, (3) l’intérêt de dispositifs multi-sites et d’observations pluriannuelles pour évaluer avec fiabilité la sensibilité aux bioagresseurs, (4) la méthodologie adaptée à cette problématique (méthode de notation, type de dispositif, etc)

Motivations of patients seeking supportive care for cancer from physicians prescribing homeopathic or conventional medicines: results of an observational cross-sectional study

Background & aimsThe motivations of patients who consult a homeopathic (GP-Ho) or conventional (GP-CM) general practitioner for supportive care during cancer treatment have not been widely studied. We investigated the reasons why cancer patients consult a GP-Ho versus a GP-CM for supportive care and the GPs' motivations for their prescriptions.MethodsThis observational survey was carried out in France between October 2008 and October 2011. GPs across France were randomly selected and asked to recruit four cancer patients each. At inclusion, the sociodemographic and clinical (including psychological) characteristics and medical history of the patients were recorded by the GPs and the patients noted their quality of life (QoL) and anxiety/depression using the Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) self-questionnaires. The main motivations of the patients regarding the type of GP consultation and the main reasons for the GPs' prescriptions were recorded.ResultsSix hundred and forty four patients were included in the analysis: 399 consulted a GP-CM (n = 112) and 245 a GP-Ho (n = 73). Patients consulting a GP-Ho were more often female [OR = 1.93; 95%CI: 1.11–3.35; p = 0.02], employed in a professional capacity [OR = 6.57; 95%CI: 1.96–21.99; p = 0.002], have a shorter time since cancer diagnosis [OR = 2.19; 95%CI: 1.24–3.87; p = 0.007], have received targeted anticancer therapy [OR = 3.70; 95%CI: 1.67–8.18; p = 0.001] and have a high QLQ-C30 score for constipation [OR = 1.01; 95%CI: 1.00–1.02; p = 0.001]. Patients mainly consulted a GP-Ho to receive overall care (73.5% vs. 64.9%; p = 0.024) and medicines to prevent anticancer treatment-related side-effects (63.7% vs. 41.4%; p < 0.0001). In contrast, patients consulted a GP-CM to receive psychological care (50.1% vs. 40.8%; p = 0.021) and more information regarding the oncologists' strategic decisions (p < 0.0001). There was a significantly greater prescription of psychotropic drugs by GP-CM (53.7% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsPatients consulting a GP-Ho or GP-CM had different motivations for seeking supportive care. There was a significantly greater prescription of psychotropic drugs by GP-CM

Rootstock and variety selection in organic fruit production (BIOFRUITNET Video)

In this video, Gilles Libourel from GRAB describes the challenges with rootstocks. Julia Frézel explains the criteria for choosing fruit varieties at Ferme de la Durette

Assessment of disease susceptibility and fruit quality

The susceptibility to diseases is not considered as a key-criterion in peach breeding programs. Even if the turn-over of peach cultivars is important, suitability for organic and low-input systems remains unknown for most of the cultivars. A first program has been carried out from 2001 to 2008 to assess peach leaf curl, powdery mildew and aphid susceptibilities of 18 cultivars in an experimental station. Fruit quality was also assessed. A high variability in leaf curl (Taphrina deformans) and powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa var persicae) susceptibilities and fruit quality was observed among the cultivars. Reine des Vergers and Belle de Montélimar were identified as relevant cultivars for specific markets, because of low susceptibilities to diseases and high fruit quality. In 2009, they have been included in a second assessment program among 10 other cultivars, which is still going on. The variability of peach leaf curl susceptibility between cultivars was strongly influenced by the disease pressure. In 2011, we identified different levels of tree recovery among the cultivars after severe damages caused by peach leaf curl and Monilinia spp

Eco-design and co-design : application to fruit production in Europe

International audienc

"Semi-extensive" orchards as a model for sustainable fruit growing

International audienceA national programme has been set up in 2001 with the financial support of the French Ministry of Agriculture in order to assess the possibilities of managing low-input organic apple and pear orchards. It aims at knowing to what extent we can decrease production costs, without affecting yield and fruit quality. Four organic orchards were planted in 2002 in different pedo-climatic conditions. Different factors were controlled: cultivars/rootstocks, low planting densities, protection strategies based on a restricted use of inputs and reduced pruning interventions. This network permits to get a better knowledge of the studied cultivars and their suitability for a low-input agriculture under local conditions

Assessment of diseases susceptibility of peach cultivars in experimental plots and on-farm for organic and low-input systems. Baseline of french case studies

Despite a high turn-over of new peach cultivars, their suitability for organic and low-input systems remains unknown for most of them. Diseases susceptibility is an important criteria to consider since diseases control is a bottleneck to peach production in theses systems. Since 2001, 81 peach cultivars were assessed in 2 experimental sites and 7 on-farm plots