home    about    browse    search    latest    help 
Login | Create Account

Combined production of broilers and fruits

Lindhard Pedersen, H.; Olsen, A.; Pedersen, B.; Korsgaard, M. and Horsted, K. (2004) Combined production of broilers and fruits. In: Boos, Markus (Ed.) Ecofruit - 11th International Conference on Cultivation Technique and Phytopathological Problems in Organic Fruit-Growing: Proceedings to the Conference from 3rd February to 5th February 2004 at Weinsberg/Germany, pp. 131-136.

[thumbnail of 25_Pedersen_131_136.pdf] PDF - German/Deutsch
223kB


Summary

Combined production of broilers and fruit trees is a subject often discussed in organic fruit
production in Denmark. Very little research has been carried out on this type of production
system. In organic production in Denmark, nearly no pesticides are allowed, so the need
for alternative pest control is large. Apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudinea) and pear midge
(Contarinia pyrivora) cause big crop losses in apples and pears respectively, in unsprayed
organic fruit production. Both insects infest fruitlets and cause these to drop prematurely
after which the pests pupate in the topsoil. In the present experiment a research orchard
with the varieties ‘Discovery’ and ‘Conference’ were used as outdoor area for broilers to
minimise the population of sawflies and pear midges, and to reduce the need for weeding
and manuring. The trees were kept unsprayed. Fruit yield and fruit quality were assessed
at harvest. White sticky traps were placed in the test area in order to measure the
occurrence of sawfly over time. The infestation of pear midge was investigated counting
the infested fruitlets in clusters on trees at the centre of the plots. The catch of apple
sawflies was reduced in the combined apple and broiler production, but no significant
effect on the yield or the fruit quality was seen. Experiences from on-farm research show
that combining fruit and egg-production is one way to reduce the problem with apple
sawfly, but poultry alone is not a sufficient way of controlling sawflies. The welfare and
health of the broilers were excellent under fruit trees.


EPrint Type:Conference paper, poster, etc.
Type of presentation:Paper
Keywords:Organic, apple, pear Apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudinea), pear midge (Contarinia pyrivora), yield, fruit quality, animal welfare .
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection
Crop husbandry > Production systems > Fruit and berries
Research affiliation: International Conferences > 2006: Ecofruit
Related Links:http://www.ecofruit.net
Deposited By: Tagung, Ecofruit
ID Code:14522
Deposited On:18 Sep 2008
Last Modified:12 Apr 2010 07:38
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics