Fruit trees grown in orchards are highly nursed to maintain a specific growth structure for optimal yield and maintenance.



Maintenance includes heavy spraying protocols to avoid fungal diseases both in conventional and organic orchards.



Would it be possible to avoid fungal diseases by shielding the trees

Kjaer, Katrine Heinsvig

Organic Eprints

Protecting organic fruit trees from direct rain and sunSustainable pest management and maintenance of fruit yield• Fruit trees grown in orchards are highly nursed to maintain a specific growth structure for optimal yieldand maintenance• Maintenance includes heavy spraying protocols to avoid fungal diseases both in conventional and organicorchardsHypothesis• By shielding the trees it will be possible to reduce leafand fruit wetness and thereby limit fungal infections, maintenance will also be lowered • However, rain shields may affect the photosyntheticyield due to reductions in light intensityKatrine Heinvig KjærKatrine.kjaer@food.au.dkkkja@teknologisk.dkPhotosynthesis and yield of shielded apples (2012-2015)Unsprayed3.4 t/ha*Shielded44.6 t/haSprayed38.1 t/haRedElstar2012• The rain shields protect the photo-synthetic apparatus from high solar irradiance• Midday depression is avoided• Yield is maintained/increased in applesLeaf wetness and scab infections in apple (2014-2015)15 hours of leaf wetness in warm temperatures is idealconditions for scab infectioncaused by the fungusVenturia inaequalis‘Elstar’Unsprayed Shield Sprayed‘Rubens’Perspectives for shielded production of organic fruit in                    orchards and Green Cities• The concept of urban farming is                                    not new • We could think of shielded corri- dors/ walls/ city halls and roadswith fruit trees• Challenges– Pollination/windfall fruit/air pollution/labourintensive harvesting– Cost of implementing orchards in the cityorchards or free fruit for picking– Cost of Space and logistics– Will people eat the fruit or just leave it

Protecting organic fruit trees from direct rain and sun

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