GRAB – Groupe de Recherche en Agriculture Biologique: Handbook for designing & managing Agroforestry mixing fruits & vegetables
The demand for support in the creation of “market garden orchards (agroforestry associating fruit trees and vegetables). This is the result of a combination of factors: agricultural relocation, explosion of short circuits, production using organic methods or without phytosanitary inputs, limited land available… This kind of support requires sufficient technical data from the field, but […]
Strategy to enhance biodiversity in orchards (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)
Pest control in organic fruit orchards should not rely on external inputs with adverse effects but on other strategies and methods that support biodiversity and natural cycles adapted to local conditions. Measures contributing to the enhancement of beneficial insects, pollinators and general biodiversity in the orchard can be integrated in the orchard or at the […]
Regulation of sawflies in organic orchards
Sawflies, such as apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudinea) and Pear sawfly (H. brevis), are major pests in organic fruit production which can cause massive yield losses. Regulation is possible by only a few measures. Combining different preventive strategies and direct measures can help to control the pest. A combined strategy of different direct and indirect actions […]
Organic fertilizers in fruit orchards (Biofruitnet Practice Abstract)
Fertilization of organic fruit orchards strongly relies on authorized external commercial fertilizers leading to nutrient flows from conventional into organic farming systems. The use of alternative fertilizers including legume-based materials and non-contentious external commercial fertilizers, should be based on locally available resourced. An integrated approach is recommended. Alternating and integrating different fertilizers, depending on the […]
Preventive and indirect measures to regulate woolly apple aphid in organic orchards (Biofruitnet Practice Abstract)
The Woolly apple aphid (E. lanigerum) can cause severe damage, especially in organic cultivation; sucking activity causes bark growth, the so-called blood louse canker. Promoting natural antagonists in organic orchards is a key element in controlling E. lanigerum. Further, the tree growth should be balanced through proper (root) pruning. A combination of preventive measures and […]
