In the project ‘Innovative sustainable fruit-growing systems’, we are working together on future-proof fruit-growing. Over the past three years, the theoretical knowledge from Delphy and WUR has been applied on three participating organic orchards in the Dutch province of Zeeland. The goal was, is and remains to make fruit cultivation in Zeeland more sustainable by growing healthy and robust crops while preserving nature and biodiversity in an economic perspective for the sector.
System approach
The entire orchard system is important. The tested approach takes into account future challenges in the field of crop protection. Various topics were addressed in this specific project, including scab, apple blossom weevil and sawflies (apple and pear). This system approach fits within the ambitions of the sector and meets the requirements of the government (in accordance with the Implementation Programme for the Future Vision for Crop Protection 2030) and the wishes of consumers and retailers.
Findings
Within a sustainable fruit-growing system growers have to deal with various diseases and pests in the orchard. Individual components of the system approach have a reinforcing influence on each other when applied in combination. Individual components that are tested in practice as a combination are
- Use of preventive measures for scab control;
- Offering alternative shelters to catch apple blossom weevil;
- The use of white sticky traps to control sawflies (apple and pear);
- Promoting bats as an ally against codling moths;
- Installing sugar dispensers to attract ants and reduce rosy apple aphids;
- Promoting biodiversity.
All of the above measures are being applied in the newly planted orchard at the De Muyehof farm in Nieuwerkerk. As a preventive measure in the management of scab, five apple varieties have been planted here in a mixed orchard.
Results
The websites of Delphy, Groen Kennisnet, Netwerk Platteland and EU CAP network list the various components that can be combined to form a system approach in fruit cultivation. Six manuals each separately share practical information about a component of the system approach in fruit cultivation. Three videos not only explain but also demonstrate the application of various measures such as binding tubes as shelter (apple blossom weevil), sugar dispensers (rosy apple aphid) and mixing varieties (scab).
Future
In order to monitor the results of the various measures and the system approach in the mixed orchard in the coming years, a follow-up project has been requested in which not only organic but also regular fruit growers in Zeeland will apply the measures.
More information
Sarah Kemp, Fruit farming researcher Delphy
+31 (0)6 57 21 54 29
The project ‘Innovative sustainable fruit farming systems in Zeeland’ started in 2022 and ended in 2024. The project was financed by the province of Zeeland and the EU Agricultural Fund POP-3. In this project, Delphy and WUR are working with three participating fruit growers, Tim Moerman (Boomgaard ter Linde), Pieter Jans Jansonius (De Muyehof) and Jan Peter van ‘t Leven (Maatschap Van ’t Leven), to develop a future-proof fruit-growing system in Zeeland.
The project’s website page contains various manuals and videos relating to the individual measures for a sustainable fruit-growing system.
Manuals (in Dutch)
- Integrated approach to a sustainable fruit-growing system
- Scab control – actively work towards a leaf-free start to the new season
- Scab – mixing varieties as a preventive measure in scab control
- Catch sawflies with white sticky tapes
- Catch apple blossom weevils with alternative shelters
- Encourage bats on fruit farms to catch codling moths
Videos (youtube)
- Control scab by mixing apple varieties
- Catch apple blossom weevils with a tube trap
- Use sugar dispensers to lure ants to diminish rosy apple aphids
These experts are happy to talk to you
Call us at +31 (0)317 491 578 or send an email to info@delphy.nl
