Adapting apple ideotypes to low-input fruit production agro-ecosystems

Summary

Current commercial apple growing is highly dependent on off-farm inputs and it is urgent to develop new strategies to remedy this situation. The challenge for the future is to achieve lower-input apple orchards, whether under Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) or Organic Fruit Production (OFP) systems. This paper analyses the different agronomic factors that play key roles both in the current and future ‘More Sustainable Orchard’, with particular attention on plant protection. Firstly, the concept of ‘ideotype’ is developed, emphasizing the most important characteristics of optimal ideotypes for apple. Secondly, current knowledge on the relationships between genotype, cultural practices and the environment is presented and discussed. This paper deals with properties that need to be combined at plant material and orchard levels to optimise the IFP and OFP low-input systems. The focus is on: (a) the main characteristics of apple ideotypes; (b) breeding strategies; and (c) adapted cultural practices and control measures in the orchards.