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During the whole growing season, weeding practice has been done one time only. Dressing fertilizers were also applied.

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1.        Al-Shawwa, M., & Abu-Naser, S. (2019). Knowledge Based System for Apple Problems Using CLIPS. International Journal for Academic Development, 3, 1–11.

2.        Apfelwickler (Cydia pomonella). (n.d.). Oekolandbau.De. Retrieved 26 June 2022, from https://www.oekolandbau.de/landwirtschaft/pflanze/grundlagen-pflanzenbau/pflanzenschutz/schaderreger/schadorganismen-im-obst-und-weinbau/tierische-schaderreger/apfelwickler/

3.        Baab, G. & Korsten, K. (2015). Schorfresistente Sorten – geschmacklich auf dem Prüfstand. Obstbau 10: 568-573.

4.        Beer, M., Brockamp, L., & Weber, R. (2015). Control of sooty blotch and black rot of apple through removal of fruit mummies. Folia Horticulturae, 27. https://doi.org/10.1515/fhort-2015-0013

5.        Brian, H. (2021). Apple Scab | Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic. https://pddc.wisc.edu/2018/11/19/apple-scab/

6.        Brockamp, L., & Weber, R. (2014). Black rot (Diplodia seriata) in organic apple production—Infection biology and disease control strategies. IN: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Cultivation Techniques and Phytopathological Problems in Organic Fruit Growing. FÖKO, Hohenheim. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Black-rot-(Diplodia-seriata)-in-organic-apple-and-Brockamp-Weber/ef276175cda2f6c45a8b988f66c9317c3b9efaca

7.        Charmillot, P.-J., Hofer, D., & Pasquier, D. (2000). Attract and kill: A new method for control of the codling moth Cydia pomonella. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 94(2), 211–216. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1570-7458.2000.00621.x

8.        De Vos, M., & Jander, G. (2010). Volatile communication in plant–aphid interactions. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 13(4), 366–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbi.2010.05.001

9.        Gao, Y., Li, B., Dong, X., Wang, C., Li, G., & Li, B. (2011). Effects of temperature and moisture on sporulation of Diplocarpon mali on overwintered apple leaves. Scientia Agricultura Sinica, 44(7), 1367–1374.

10.     Helga Willer, Jan Trávníček, Claudia Meier, & Bernhard Schlatter (Eds.). (2021). The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics and Emerging Trends 2021. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, and IFOAM – Organics International. 340.

11.     Holb, I., & Kunz, S. (2016). Integrated Control of Apple Scab and Powdery Mildew in an Organic Apple Orchard by Combining Potassium Carbonates with Wettable Sulfur, Pruning, and Cultivar Susceptibility. Plant Disease, 100(9), 1894–1905. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-15-1416-RE

12.     Holb, I., Peterfrans, J., & Bart, H. (2003). Efficacy and phytotoxicity of lime sulphur in organic apple production. Annals of Applied Biology, 142. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7348.2003.tb00245.x

13.     Kienzle, J., & Kelderer, M. (2017). Growing organic apples in Europe. In Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science (pp. 551–578). Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2016.0017.26

14.     Lefebvre, M., Franck, P., Olivares, J., Ricard, J.-M., Mandrin, J.-F., & Lavigne, C. (2017). Spider predation on rosy apple aphid in conventional, organic and insecticide-free orchards and its impact on aphid populations. Biological Control, 104, 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2016.10.009

15.     Mitre, V., Mitre, I., Sestras, A. F., & Sestras, R. E. (2010). New Products against Apple Scab and Powdery Mildew Attack in Organic Apple Production. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 38(3), 234–238. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha3835456

16.     Stephan, G. (2017). New organic storage apple positively received. https://www.freshplaza.com/article/2184120/new-organic-storage-apple-positively-received/

17.     Sutton, T.B., Aldwinckle, H.S., Agnello, A.M., Walgenbach, J.F. (2014). Compendium of apple and pear diseases and pests, Second Edition. APS Press, 1, 48–49.

18.     Utah State University. (2020). Fruit Pests: Apple. https://extension.usu.edu/pests/research/backyard-apple-pests

19.     Wöhner, T., & Emeriewen, O. F. (2019). Apple blotch disease (Marssonina coronaria (Ellis & Davis) Davis) – review and research prospects. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 153(3), 657–669. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-018-1590-9

20.     Wyss, E., Luka, H., Pfiffner, L., Schlatter, C., Uehlinger, G., & Daniel, C. (2005). Approaches to management in organic agriculture: A case study in European apple orchards. In Organic-Research.com. (p. 36N).

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This assignment of observing a plant is both educational and interesting. In the beginning, I did not really conceive correctly what is the purpose and logic of BBCH, therefore, some important BBCH stages of "inflorescence emergence" and "flowering' were missed. However, after this experience, I realized that the flowering period is shorter than I expected. At the same time, it could be the critical stage for the final harvest yields.

BBCH scale could also illustrate and define a clearer plant development stage of a certain crop. By using this parameter, farmers, researchers, and consultants can do the correct things (spraying, pest management, thinning, applying fertilizers, weed management) accordingly at the right time.

Apple diseases are a major problem on the farm and for postharvest concerns. 'Natyra' and other scab-resistant varieties are the first step for organic farming. It emphasized the importance of breeding that aims, in a long run, to create quantitative resistance using a broad genetic basis in order to produce stronger varieties suitable for organic or even for coping with climate changes.

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'Natyra' reached "Fruit about 70% final size"

70% final size = 56 mm

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'Natyra' reached "Fruit about 60% final size"

60% final size = 48 mm

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'Natyra' reached "Fruit about half final size"

half final size = 40 mm

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'Natyra' reached "Fruit diameter up to 40 mm; fruit erect (T-stage: underside of fruit and stalk forming a T"

(In this stage, T-shape is formed but the fruit size is slightly below 40 mm)

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'Natyra' reached "Fruit size up to 20 mm"

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'Natyra' reached " Fruit size up to 10 mm; fruit fall after flowering"

(did not observe any fallen fruits)

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'Natyra' reached " End of flowering: all petals fallen"

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'Natyra' reached "Flowers fading: majority of petals fallen"

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'Natyra' reached "Full flowering: at least 50% of flowers open; first petals falling"

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'Natyra' reached "Pink bud stage: flower petals elongating; sepals slightly open; petals just visible"

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'Natyra' reached "Bud burst: green leaf tips enclosing flowers visible"

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Natural enemy of aphid, ladybug, was found in check variety 'Idared' on 2 July

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Dense green aphid population was found in check variety 'Idared' on 8 June

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Leaves deformation caused by aphid was found in check variety 'Idared' on 24 May

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Apple Aphid (rosy or green)

Aphids suck sap from the plant tissues and it leads to leaf, shoot and fruit deformities

Choice of variety is an essential step to preventing the pest threat of aphids

Habitat management is another critical perspective. Flower strips are efficient to control aphids. It could attract aphids to stay and therefore, there will be fewer aphids in apple trees. Also, flower strips are ideal habitat for antagonists, i.e. spiders and ladybugs.

Spraying neem oil could reduce aphid population

(De Vos & Jander, 2010)

(Lefebvre et al., 2017)

(Utah State University, 2020)

(Wyss et al., 2005)

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The second generation of codling moth was found on 27 June in 'Natyra'

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Video of larvae taken on 1 June in 'Natyra'

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Larva of codling moth found in 'Natyra', Germany

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Codling moth pupa was found in 'Natyra' in 25 May

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More larvae and nets were found in 'Natyra' on  18 May

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Damaged apple by larvae was found in "Natyra" on 16 May

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Larvae was found in 'Natyra' on  10 May

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Larvae and nets were found in 'Natyra' on  3 May

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Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella)

This is the most serious pest in apple orchards. It starts in spring and lay it's eggs near developing fruits. There are up to 3 generations per season, from spring to late summer

Worm apples are easy to detach from the tree, and there will be a drilling whole when the apple grows bigger

Pheromone is a common measure to manage the moths starting from the end of April, which is in the BBCH stage 6 (flowering). It could be either pheromone traps or for the purpose of mating disruption to slow down the reproduction of the codling moth

Removing fruit mummies remaining in the fields can minimize hibernation places for the larvae

During this field inspection, codling moth was found on every single apple trees

(Apfelwickler (Cydia Pomonella), n.d.)

(Charmillot et al., 2000)

(Utah State University, 2020)

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Powder mildew was found in check variety 'Elstar' on 2 July

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Powder mildew was found in check variety 'Fuji' on 2 July

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Powder mildew was found in check variety 'Fuji' on 4 May

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Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha)

This fungal pathogen is common and serious in organic apple orchards found together with apple scab

Traditionally, repeated application of lime-sulfur (10-26 times per year) may lead to environmental side-effect and fruit quality reduction

A new combination of applying potassium bicarbonate or potassium monocarbonate with wettable sulfur (7-8 times per year) from BBCH 15 (leaves unfolded but not yet full size) to BBCH 72 (fruit size up to 20 mm) can reach better plant protection performance

Pruning practice can help to reduce the overwinter conidia and also reduce infection

(Holb et al., 2003)

(Holb & Kunz, 2016)
(Mitre et al., 2010)

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Black rot was found in variety 'Natyra' on 23 May. This is a typical mummified apple.

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Black rot (Diplodia seriata)

The optimal infection condition is around 20°C along with high rainfall, and the fungus disease could lead to 7.5% yield losses in Germany

Fruit mummies (dried) removal significantly reduces the infection. Myco-Sin (sulfur spray) is recommended to be applied together in order to increase the efficiency

The practices are ideally conducted twice, the first time is before BBCH 07 when the bud breaks, and the second time is after the "June drop" at BBCH 71 when the fruits start falling after flowering.

(Al-Shawwa & Abu-Naser, 2019)
(Beer et al., 2015)
(Brockamp & Weber, 2014)

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We take a look at one of our newest apple packing lines featuring the latest advancements in technology.

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How Apple Juice Is Made In Factory | Modern Fruit Juice Making Technology | Food Factory

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Apple blotch was found in check variety 'Fuji' on 1 July

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Apple blotch was found in check variety 'Rubinette' on 23 June

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Apple scab was found in check variety 'Rubinette' on 3 July

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Apple scab was found in check variety 'Braeburn' on 15 June

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Apple scab was found in check variety 'Elstar ' on 23 June

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Apple scab was found in check variety 'Idared' on 31 May

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Apple scab was found in check variety 'Gala' on 1 July

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Natyra: scab-resistant, crunchy, aromatic, good for storage

Topaz: scab-resistant, pleasant acidity, good for baking

Santana: scab resistant, medium-firm, suitable for allergy sufferers

https://www.biohof-eckert.de/aepfel/sortenspektrum/#1581767592623-d82c94e7-e9b7

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Apple blotch (Marssonina coronaria)

When organic growers reduce using copper and sulfur fungicides against apple scabs, blotch disease becomes a major concern in organic orchards

The amount of fungicides applied in scab-resistant apple fields reduces by 20% compared to non-resistant varieties

The infection starts under weather of around 20 °C  and continuous wet conditions over 36 hours

(Gao et al. 2011)
(Kienzle & Kelderer, 2017)
(Sutton et al. 2014)

(Wöhner & Emeriewen, 2019)

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Apple scab was found in check variety 'Braeburn' on 18 May

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Apple scab was found in check variety 'Fuji' on 28 May

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During the whole growing season, there are mainly three species of weeds identified:

1. Acker-Kratzdistel (Cirsium arvense)

2. Wiesen-Schwingel (Festuca pratensis)

3. Löwenzahn (Taraxacum spp.)

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Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis)

Over the 30 years, scab-resistant varieties were introduced to organic fields but the market did not accept the fruit quality

Next generation of scab-resistant varieties, e.g. ‘Natyra’, ‘Topaz’, ‘Santana’ and ‘Ariwa’ with higher quality and better taste were successfully introduced

All these varieties carry only single-gene resistance (Rvi6, Vf) against apple scab --> resistance breakdown can be observed

(Brian, 2021)

(Kienzle & Kelderer, 2017)

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Controlled Atmosphere

Temporary: 1,0-1,5°C

Oxygen content: 1,0-1,5%

CO2 content: 1-2%

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Observing and identifying plant development stage based on BBCH-scale

Apple 'Natyra' was selected

Location: Lehrgarten UHOH
(48°43'04.1"N 9°12'48.1"E)

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Brand Name: Natyra®

Variety Name: SQ159

Crossing parentage: Elise x scab-resistant selection

Breeder: Wageningen UR Plant Breeding

Fruit size: 70-80 mm

Features: scab-resistant, uniform appearance, excellent taste, firm and crunchy

Comment: bred for organic growing conditions based on minimizing crop protection practices

(Baab, G. & Korsten, K., 2015)
(Stephan, 2017)

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In Europe, organic temperate fruits were grown on  121,267 ha (9.7%)

Apple orchards account for 66,657 ha, and  these are for both processing and fresh consumption

Poland is the largest apple producer in EU

In Germany, approx. 50% of the growing area is covered by ‘Topaz’ and ‘Santana’

(Helga Willer et al., 2021)
(Kienzle & Kelderer, 2017)