Insect management and fruit thinning in commercial organic apple production systems in New York

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

1. Develop an integrated, sustainable arthropod management system that will allow the production and marketing of certified organic apples.

2. Develop alternative chemical fruit thinning approaches for use in certified organic apple orchards that will result in annual cropping and large fruit size.

3. Develop alternative weed control approaches for use in certified organic apple orchards that will result in similar tree growth, yield, fruit size and leaf nutrient levels as conventional herbicides.