Fruitgrowers towards a new approach to enhance biodiversity in organic orchards

Summary in the original language of the document

In the frame of the project “Arbeitsnetz zur Weiterentwicklung der Anbauverfahren des
ökologischen Obstbaus” (BOEL-project Nr. 03OE178) a group of fruitgrowers and advicers
started to discuss new measures and new concepts to enhance biodiversity in organic
orchards. Strips with flowering plants that can be integrated in the normal mulching system
and thus, do not originate vole problems, are actually tested on the farms. Other measures
as single bushes at the top and end of the rows are in discussion.
If such measures are to be integrated successfully in the practice of organic fruit growing,
the impulse must spring from growers themselves and their requirements regarding the
different risks must be considered. Otherwise, an acceptance in practice is not very
probable. This activites are reported here since we want more people to join us.