TY  - GEN
ID  - orgprints3111
UR  - http://orgprints.org/3111/
A1  - Bertschinger, Lukas
A1  - Mouron, Patrik
A1  - Dolega, Ewa
A1  - Höhn, Heinrich
A1  - Holliger, Eduard
A1  - Husistein, Alfred
A1  - Schmid, Andi
A1  - Siegfried, Werner
A1  - Widmer, Albert
A1  - Zürcher, Matthias
A1  - Weibel, Franco
Y1  - 2004///
N2  - In 1995, an experiment was planted at Wädenswil for comparing organic and integrated apple production. The overall goal of this experiment was to develop a data set which allows for an objective overall comparison of the two production concepts. Horticultural, ecological and economical traits were looked at. In practical terms, the study should particularly clarify how suitable the two systems are for producing marketable fresh fruit under Swiss conditions. The approach of an on-station comparison with a split-plot design with 3 replicate blocks and the factors ?production system? (1st factor) and ?variety? (2nd factor) was chosen. Ninety-four percent of Swiss apple acreage is managed according to integrated production, and 5% according to organic guidelines 2001. Conventional production is therefore lacking practical relevance and was not included in this trial. Cultivars Boskoop, Pommes Cloche, Idared and Resi were planted on rootstock M9 at a 3.4 by 1.4m spacing. The crop management was dynamically adapted every year according to the most advanced crop management technology that is appropriate in the particular in situ situation of the trial and that is permitted by the most recent Swiss guidelines for each of the two production systems. In particular, parameters of tree growth, fruit growth, yield and fruit quality, crop protection, crop economy and crop ecology were assessed. In 2001, additional analytical fruit quality parameters were measured and extensive sensory tests were performed. This study provides the first scientific comparison of organic and integrated apple production under European conditions. The paper presents preliminary conclusions while the last cropping season of the experiment is still on-going and final data analyses will be possible in 2003. 
PB  - International Society for Horticultural Science
KW  - Malus × domestica
KW  -  sustainable apple production
KW  -  crop production
KW  -  soil management
TI  - Ecological Apple Production: a Comparison of Organic and Integrated Apple-growing
SP  - 321
AV  - restricted
EP  - 332
ER  -