How can the use of pesticides in intensively managed organic orchards be further reduced? One approach is to use cover systems that protect the trees against rain and pests. This was tested within the DOMINO project, and interim conclusions are presented in a video.

As part of the CORE Organic project Domino, a rain cover combined with a lateral insect protection net was tested in an organically managed apple orchard at FiBL in Frick (Switzerland). The rain cover should reduce the incidence of fungal diseases on the trees as well as postharvest diseases on the fruits in storage. Pests are kept away from the trees and fruits by the lateral netting. The cover system was compared with the following two treatments without coverage: 1) standard organic plant protection 2) control without plant protection. The trial was conducted on the apple varieties ‘Topaz’ and ‘Ariwa’ in 2019 and 2020 and will be continued in 2021.

More extensive details at this LINK, while the video can be seen HERE

Source: Core Organic Cofund