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Regulation of the plum moth and the brown rot disease in organic stone fruit production, Project: Evaluation and optimization of biological processes for the reduction of the plum moth (Cydia funebrana) under laboratory conditions

Project


Project code: 2806OE057
Contract period: 12.04.2007 - 31.03.2012
Budget: 231,678 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research

In the joint research project FKZ 06OE198, FKZ 06OE057 and FKZ 06OE348 the possibilities of plum fruit moth regulation were tested in laboratory experiments as well as in semi-field trials and field trials at Geisenheim, Darmstadt, Klein-Altendorf and Weinsberg. Laboratory experiments and field trials for the control strategies of Monilia-disease were done in Geisenheim, Weinsberg and Dresden. Sour cherry orchards for the evaluation of different varieties were planted in Weinsberg and Dresden. In Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Wuerttemberg extensive field trials with the pheromone dispenser 'Isomate OFM Rosso' for mating disruption were able to verify the effectivity with efficacies up to 70 % for orchards of sufficient dimensions and low infestation level. For higher infestation levels and small orchards entomopathogenic nematodes were tested in field trials with heterogeneous efficacies. It was not possible to establish an artificial rearing of plum fruit moth in laboratory around the year. Therefore the experiments for infection of the plum fruit moth by Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV), egg-parasitization by Trichogramma cacoeciae, application of NeemAzal-T/S and the application of entomopathogenic fungi against overwintering larvae were carried out with larvae from field collection or respectively with their eggs after overwintering. Based on these results, field experiments were carried out with CpGV V15, in which heterogeneous efficacies were found. Trichogramma used as 'Trichokarten' showed efficacies up to 47 %. An improved distribution of Trichogramma inside the trees should be achieved by using sprayable Trichogramma, but until now there are only annual experimental results available. The experiments with entomopathogenic fungi showed the best results for Isaria fumosorosea. Until now, it was not possible to show the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi infected mulches in field conditions. Overwintering plum fruit moth larvae are using smallest places between the bark. Therefore an attractive place for the overwintering larvae can be corrugated cardboard, wrapped around the stem. This could be a possible way to reduce a high infestation level on small orchards. In laboratory trials about regulation of Monilia-disease on plums only Serenade had a strong antagonistic efficacy within several tested products. But the use of Serenade is not yet permitted as plant-protection-agent in stone-fruit-cultivation in Germany. Further field-trials about Monilia on plum-fruits showed, that hygienic measurements (like removing Monilia-infected fruit-mummies directly before harvest and before winter) are essential for reducing the infection-level in an organic grown orchard and during storage. Treatments of plant-strengthening preparations had only middle effects. Mainly on the site Dresden-Pillnitz different products have been tested in field-trials for the regulation of Monilia-disease during the blossom period of sour-cherries. BoniProtect® forte and BoniProtect® showed some regulation-potential. Results of SPU 2720 and Cuprozin were available only for one year, so no final evaluation is possible. In two years the treatments were combined with/without consequent removing of infected branches (infections from the season before), a measure which enhanced the effect of the treatments clearly. At both sites (Dresden-Pillnitz and Weinsberg) the sour-cherry-varieties 'Morina', 'Jade', 'Coralin' and 'Safir' seem to be recommendable for organic growing. In Weinsberg the varieties 'Topas' and 'Ungarische Traubige' additionally showed interesting characteristics. At both sites only in some of the years the infection-level for Monilia was high. Up to now, no infections of the fruits by Gloeosporium sp. (another serious danger for organic grown sour-cherries) have been observed.

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Subjects

Associated projects: Evaluation and optimization of biological methods for regulation of plum moth (Cydia funebrana) and Monilia-disease in organic stone fruit cultivation

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