On Orchard Research Projects
-
Cultural scab control through precision ascospore release and sanitation – Reiny Scheper (BSI)
Determine best practice for forced ascospore release and quantify the impact on reducing inoculum load when combined with sanitation.
-
Technology review and updated spray application recommendations – David Manktelow (ART)
Tree structures vary significantly in apple and pear orchards in New Zealand. Modern growing systems have moved away from 3D spindle and are now 2D based on high density planting systems. This project focuses on defining and extending guidelines for application rate and volume adjustment based on target canopy size and density – with a focus on rate requirements for new canopy forms. This work is a combined review of current international practices and the presentation of current NZ knowledge and experience.
-
Spray application research – David Manktelow (ART), Sarah McCarley (AgFirst), JP Praat (Groundtruth), Liqi Han (University of Queensland)
The focus of this project is to improve spray precision and efficacy through the development of a canopy-based application system and the creation of a digital model to predict spray outcomes based on different canopy forms and sprayer set ups.
This season the project will:
1. Further investigate how canopy architecture affects spray volumes and deposit variability.
2. Assess and document the air output and capacity of the main sprayer types and develop safe operating limits.
-
Plant protection product benchmarking – Andrew Barber (Agrilink)
The project is focussed on improving understanding of agrichemical usage and how this could be harnessed to drive industry change, through informing new research, reporting back to growers and tracking change over time.
-
Inoculum tracking tools – Kerry Everett (BSI)
Developing methods to quantify disease inoculum to inform risk and management practices.
-
Best practice bull’s eye rot control – Kerry Everett & Peter Wood (BSI)
The purpose of this project is to identify effective alternatives to captan for the control of Bull’s Eye Rot while reducing residue concerns. Captan is currently the most effective late-season control option, however there is industry interest in identifying lower-residue alternatives that maintain disease control.
This project will evaluate several novel products and compounds, including Esteem®, ProBlad® Verde, calcium chloride and Serenade® Optimum, alongside captan and an untreated control. The efficacy of these treatments for controlling Bull’s Eye Rot and other postharvest rots will be assessed following commercial coolstorage.
The findings will help determine whether viable replacement products are available to support effective disease management while reducing reliance on captan.
-
Green Lacewing for Woolly Apple Aphid and Mealybug biocontrol – Vaughn Bell (BSI)
The purpose of this project is to assess whether green lacewing can suppress woolly apple aphid (WAA) and mealybug colonies within commercial apple orchards. Previous laboratory and field studies have shown promising results, particularly for mealybug control, but further work is needed to determine the effectiveness of green lacewing under commercial orchard conditions and against WAA.
This project will compare two lacewing release rates against an untreated control to determine their impact on pest populations and fruit infestation. The findings will help determine whether green lacewing can become a practical biological control tool and reduce reliance on insecticides for the management of WAA and mealybug in apple orchards.
-
Buprofezin application timing trial – Svetlana Drinnan & Jack Hughes (Fruition)
Trial different application timings of buprofezin to confirm efficacy and residue acceptability.
-
Identification of attractive and repellent plant volatiles for future ALCM control approaches – Bethan Shaw, Tara Taylor & Andrew Twidle (BSI)
Investigating the use of plant volatiles and the role they could play in the control of ALCM. This year the project will test previously identified compounds in the field for attracting/repelling ALCM.
-
A systems approach to on-orchard pathogen control: layering orchard sanitation with forced ascospore release – Reiny Scheper (BSI), Kerry Everett (BSI) & David Manktelow (ART)
The purpose of this project is to develop a systems approach to pathogen management by combining orchard sanitation, forced ascospore release and disease detection tools to reduce inoculum and disease incidence.
This project will continue to evaluate the long-term impact of sanitation and forced ascospore release across commercial orchard blocks while validating DNA-based tools that can be used to predict disease risk and guide management decisions.
The findings will support practical, science-based strategies to reduce disease pressure, improve fruit quality and support more informed disease management decisions.
-
Beneficial insects in apple orchards for improved pest control – Bethan Shaw & Tara Taylor (BSI)
The aim of this project is to test the reintroduction and reestablishment of beneficial insects. The first three years of the project has gathered significant amount of information on the insect communities within apple orchards and the interactions between them.
This season the project will compare a beneficial insect-friendly management programme, including the omission of the Generation 2 Movento application and supplementary releases of beneficial insects, with standard grower practice. Beneficial insect populations, pest pressure, parasitism rates and fruit infestation will be monitored throughout the season to determine whether increased biological control can maintain acceptable pest suppression.
The findings will help determine whether reliance on Movento can be reduced while supporting integrated pest management and more informed decision-making.
-
Mealybug control with green lacewing – Bethan Shaw (BSI)
Evaluate the effectiveness of green lacewing releases in reducing mealybug populations.