Fruit Crop Ecology and Management - UVM Apple Orchard

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Fruit Crop Ecology and Management Introduction: An ecological approach to growing fruit What is fruit crop ecology? Biological and social factors are driving the need for new farming practices. Fruit crop ecology is the study of the interactions among the many biological, environmental and management factors that make up and influence fruit production. This book explores growing fruit within a complex web that connects soil, plants, animals, humans, landscapes and the atmosphere. An ecological approach to fruit production recognizes that these factors interact in a changing environment and that it is impossible to change one aspect of a farming system without affecting others. Growers and consumers have benefited greatly from technological advances in fruit production that have increased yields and reduced labor costs. There have also been some unexpected environmental and social consequences, such as pesticide resistance, loss of biodiversity, potential water pollution, consumer concerns Joy N. Landis, Jose E. Sanchez, Richard H. Lehnert, Charles E. Edson, George W. Bird and Scott M. Swinton Biosphere E os s em Commu Population Individual Individuals of a species are connected to the rest of the ecosystem. The biosphere includes all the world’s ecosystems. 3
4 about chemical residues and issues of worker safety. Growers and scientists are looking for better ways to work within a healthy system of soils, plants and animals. Many pieces of the ecological systems described throughout this book are familiar to horticulturists. This publication’s goal is to present a fresh look at the connections among the pieces and help farmers better understand their ecosystem. They can use ecosystem knowledge to design operations that result in high quality fruit, a healthy environment and confident consumers. We hope this book’s readers will find it a useful tool for examining their practices and evaluating new alternatives. An ecological approach will help fruit producers: • Produce quality fruit. • Enhance profitability. • Adopt new practices. • Reach new markets. • Interact with the environment surrounding their farm. • Comply with evolving laws and restrictions. • Respond to neighbors’ questions or concerns. Fruit Crop Ecology and Management: Introduction Understanding the system Using light energy, plants take carbon from the air and water and nutrients from the soil and assemble them into molecules that store the sun’s energy and the earth’s minerals in the organic matter we consume as food. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants are the primary producers of organic matter and storers of the sun’s energy. Sounds simple. But between sun, photosynthesis and shiny red apples lie grower management and the need for fundamental knowledge upon Light Temperature Nutrients The plant and its immediate surroundings. which to make decisions. A grower must operate within the natural environment — climate, weather, surrounding ecosystems — and apply management. Management decisions are made in response to the natural environment and socioeconomic conditions. Within the context of a constantly changing environment, management decisions are heavily influenced by the developmental stage of the fruit system. Managing young nonbearing trees is different from managing a mature orchard. Atmosphere Water Carbon dioxide Soil
Page 1 and 2: Michigan State University Extension
Page 6 and 7: Enterprise goals ◆ High quality f
Page 8 and 9: In Chapter 4, we set aside the imag
Page 10 and 11: ecology of the landscape, including
Page 12 and 13: the most important constraint influ
Page 14 and 15: temperature extremes and in seasona
Page 16 and 17: R. Zoppolo/D. Stefanelli R. Zoppolo
Page 18 and 19: cultural factors — such as crop l
Page 20 and 21: grafting compatibility that will in
Page 22 and 23: set and production. Timing of chemi
Page 24 and 25: 6 CO2 So So r en gy 6 H2O Organic a
Page 26 and 27: Two organisms are better than one.
Page 28 and 29: Plants rely on microbes to recharge
Page 30 and 31: quences. Too much nitrogen results
Page 32 and 33: conditions. Residues of legumes suc
Page 34 and 35: protected with mulch. In a mature p
Page 36 and 37: or yield to a level affecting profi
Page 38 and 39: material because of their distinct
Page 40 and 41: Single and multicycle pathogens Dis
Page 42 and 43: pesticides can affect the nature an
Page 44 and 45: growing shoots. In contrast, the fu
Page 46 and 47: Ecological concept Wounds predispos
Page 48 and 49: Adults and larvae generally are ada
Page 50 and 51: After a certain period, in which sy
Page 52 and 53: How pathogens cause disease Spore l
Page 54 and 55:
alance of the community is disrupte
Page 56 and 57:
Parasites A parasite lives in, on o
Page 58 and 59:
W. Yang Mycorrhizael hyphae (the th
Page 60 and 61:
sources of sugar. For example, Tric
Page 62 and 63:
Pesticide impacts on the community
Page 64 and 65:
Such differences lead to significan
Page 66 and 67:
soilborne pathogens. Moisture, temp
Page 68 and 69:
A. Schilder The causal agent of lea
Page 70 and 71:
y ascospores are typically more num
Page 72 and 73:
track of GDD accumulation based on
Page 74 and 75:
indicates that leaf wetness can var
Page 76 and 77:
accumulations were predicted to inc
Page 78 and 79:
alance these positive and negative
Page 80 and 81:
In the foreground, a ground cover o
Page 82 and 83:
Ecological concept Insects can migr
Page 84 and 85:
their growers keep costs as low as
Page 86 and 87:
A 1997 Food Marketing Institute stu
Page 88 and 89:
Working with local governments and
Page 90 and 91:
Direct farm marketing is not easy.
Page 92 and 93:
Human resources: You can’t raise
Page 94 and 95:
Like many fruit farmers, the Gregor
Page 96 and 97:
Richard H. Lehnert, Joy N. Landis,
Page 98 and 99:
But the future of the commercial ma
Page 100 and 101:
sustainable, but they are the best
Page 102 and 103:
J Japanese beetle 46, 47, 67, 76 L
show all

Fruit Crop Ecology and Management - UVM Apple Orchard

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?