Soft Fruit review 2012

Transcription

HDC News
Soft fruit
2011/12
review
Your guide to current HDC research and
the results that can help your business
Foreword
Welcome to the third issue of this Soft Fruit Review annual supplement. Since we published the first of
these, we have been delighted at the positive response from so many growers who value the fact that
they can use the Review as a reference guide to all the soft fruit work currently being funded on your
behalf by HDC.
After reading last year’s Review, many of you have been pleasantly surprised by just how focused
HDC is in trying to find solutions to the major problems encountered by UK soft fruit businesses. This is
due to the efforts of HDC staff working with the HDC Soft Fruit Panel, which is composed of elected
growers along with invited scientists and advisors. Each year, we review the major problems facing the
industry, revise our research strategy accordingly and invite scientists to develop research projects
which will help to solve the problems. You can influence this strategy by talking to me, other panel
members or HDC staff Andrew Tinsley and Scott Raffle. Our contact details can be found at the foot of
this page.
During the past year, we have made good progress in a number of key areas. Most welcome to me
was the publication of a factsheet offering guidelines to reduce pesticide residues in raspberries. This
was the culmination of five years of Horticulture LINK research where industry partners and scientists
collaborated to find real solutions to an issue that has challenged us for more than a decade.
We are also continuing to fund world-leading research at EMR and NRI to identify the sex
pheromones produced by a number of major pests of soft fruit. This is helping the scientists to design
some novel pest management techniques. Such technology is being studied alongside biocontrol and
other control measures for western flower thrips in a LINK project which I am confident will also deliver
new control recommendations for this economically devastating pest. HDC and Defra are funding a
new Horticulture LINK project known as SCEPTRE. This will focus on finding new crop protection
measures for pests, diseases and weeds for which we have recently lost useful crop protection
products due to changes in EU pesticide legislation. We are also funding a total of three projects aimed
at reducing water and fertiliser use in strawberry and raspberry, whilst improving crop and fruit quality.
In addition, we continue to fund a number of breeding and variety development projects to ensure that
all UK growers can access varieties best suited for UK conditions.
Please ensure that you are receiving all of the new HDC publications, email and other HDC
correspondence (see the communications section) which are vital in keeping you abreast of all of our
results. I urge you to use the HDC website which holds reports of all of our research work. If you don’t
know your grower number or password, please contact Louise Arculus on 0247 647 8661 or at louise.
[email protected]. I do hope that you enjoy reading resumés of all of our current work.
Contents
3
5
7
14
15
16
18
20
Harriet Duncalfe
Soft Fruit Panel Chairman
New projects
Work on pest and disease control, strawberry
trials and herbicides for rhubarb
Crop protection
The SCEPTRE project and SOLA programme
Pest and disease management
Monitoring systems strengthen IPM
Weed control
Residual herbicides for raspberries
Blackcurrants
Biocontrol of leaf midge, sawfly and botrytis;
chilling needs of new varieties; control of dieback
Irrigation
Guidelines for efficient water use
Breeding and variety trials
Better berries with a longer shelf-life
Keeping you informed
Where to find the latest project results
Cover images: ADAS; EMR; GSK and The James Hutton Institute
This publication reports on the findings of HDC-funded research
projects only. Although it reports on the use of pesticides, it is not
intended to endorse or recommend the use of any of the products
or active ingredients listed. Only products officially approved for
use as plant protection products should be applied to control pest,
disease and weed problems. Before using any pesticides, growers
should refer to the product approval and label recommendation and
seek guidance from a BASIS qualified consultant.
Panel contacts
Laurie Adams, Hall Hunter Partnership, Berkshire:
Andrew Tinsley (HDC technical manager):
01189 123112 ([email protected])
Scientific and
advisory members
John Clark, Beech Farm, Kent: 01622 729701
John Atwood, ADAS: 01473 823460
Scott Raffle (HDC communications manager):
([email protected])
([email protected])
Stephen McGuffie, New Farm Produce,
Neil Boonham, Fera: 01904 462332
Vivian Powell (HDC crop protection manager):
Staffordshire: 01543 256022
([email protected])
([email protected])
Julie Graham, The James Hutton Institute:
Tim Place, Place UK, Norfolk: 01692 536225
01382 562731
Elected members
([email protected])
([email protected])
Harriet Duncalfe (chair),
Richard Stanley, Stanley & Pickford, Oxfordshire:
Richard Harnden, Berry Gardens Growers:
H&H Duncalfe, Cambridgeshire: 01945 860287
([email protected])
Peter Thomson, Thomas Thomson, Perthshire:
Graham Moore, FAST: 07738 885820
Tom Maynard (vice-chair),
([email protected])
Windmill Hill Farm, East Sussex: 01580 200619
Seth Walpole, RW Walpole, Norfolk:
David Simpson, EMR: 01732 843833
([email protected])
([email protected])
2 HDC Soft Fruit Review 2011/2012
Horticultural
Development Company
(HDC)
Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth,
Warwickshire CV8 2TL
Tel: 0247 669 2051
E: [email protected]
W: www.hdc.org.uk
HDC is a division of the
Agriculture and Horticulture
Development Board
HDC News Soft Fruit Review
is published by the
Horticultural Development
Company
Pest &New
Disease
projects
How does HDC
operate for soft
fruit growers?
Each year HDC levy payers
complete a levy form that
provides us with information,
including annual turnover,
from which their actual levy
is calculated.
The form also asks which
crops growers currently
produce and which sector
they would like their levy
allocated to. From this we
make a budget for soft fruit
R&D, which the soft fruit
sector panel manages on
behalf of the industry.
The panel is composed
of elected grower members
and technical specialists.
The elected members decide
each year how the sector’s
budget should be spent.
Technical manager
Andrew Tinsley and panel
members continually liaise
with growers and with
technologists in the industry
to keep abreast of the new
problems. This allows the
panel to maintain a research
strategy, which ensures that
new projects focus on the
high priority research
required.
Author: Scott Raffle, HDC
Publishing management:
Shaddick & Gunn Ltd
(01747 861245)
Editorial production:
Richard Charnley (01749 831416)
© Agriculture and Horticulture
Development Board. No part of
this publication may be copied or
reproduced in any form
or by any means without the prior
written permission of the AHDB.
While information in HDC News
Soft Fruit Review is prepared
from the best available sources,
neither the authors nor the AHDB
can accept responsibility for
inaccuracy or liability for any loss
or damage (direct or indirect) from
the application of any concept or
procedure mentioned.
New projects for new challenges
Nine new R&D projects began
in 2011, all commissioned by
the Soft Fruit Panel after
considering a range of
proposals from researchers.
The work they chose to fund
was in the areas judged to be
of the highest priority to the
industry.
SF 121 Evaluation of
products for control of crown
rot in strawberry
Term: April 2011 to March 2012
Project leader: Angela Berrie,
EMR
Industry representative:
Harriet Duncalfe, H&H Duncalfe
Location: East Malling
Research
In project SF 99, Angela Berrie
screened a range of fungicides,
biopesticides and products
used to stimulate plant
resistance for their
effectiveness in controlling
crown rot (Phytophthora
cactorum) in comparison with
the standard treatments Aliette
(fosetyl-Al) and Paraat
(dimethomorph). Many of the
products tested are not
currently approved for use on
strawberry. After two
assessments in the second
year (crown rot failed to
develop on plants in the trial’s
first year), several products
were found to reduce incidence
of the disease compared to
where plants had not been
treated.
A range of fungicides is being
tested against crown rot
This new project will extend
the work to investigate the
effectiveness of some of the
best treatments singly or in
combination. Products to be
assessed will include Ranman
(cyazofamid), SL 567A
(metalaxyl-M), Prestop
(Gliocladium cutenulatum) and
Farmfos 44 (potassium
phosphate), not currently
approved as plant protection
products; and Fenomenal
(fosetyl-Al + fenamidone),
recently approved for outdoor
strawberry.
SF 122 Using soil nematode
threshold levels to reduce
direct feeding damage on
roots and interactions with
verticillium wilt of strawberry
and raspberry
Project leader: Tim O’Neill,
ADAS
Laurie Adams, Hall Hunter
Partnership
Location: ADAS High
Mowthorpe
Nematodes have long been
known as pests of soft fruit
crops, with some species
feeding on roots and others
carrying plant viruses which
can cause disease and crop
loss. But scientific evidence
now points to a link between
nematodes feeding on roots
and an increased susceptibility
of plants to verticillium wilt.
Root lesion nematodes
(Pratylenchus spp.) in particular
have been linked to severe
damage in strawberries.
The nematodes associated
with soft fruit will be identified in
this project and a damage
threshold for the single most
dominant species determined
because current information on
the levels likely to lead to crop
damage is anecdotal. The
Researchers are looking for interactions between nematodes
feeding on strawberry roots and plant susceptibility to strawberry wilt
research team will look for any
interaction between the
nematodes and Verticillium
dahliae.
The potential to use a
molecular ‘genetic fingerprint’
test to measure levels of
nematode infestation in soils
will also be studied.
SF 123 Efficacy of novel
products for the control of
Phytophthora rubi raspberry
root rot
Project leader:
Erika Wedgwood, ADAS
Tim Place, Place UK
Location: ADAS Boxworth
Phytophthora root rot (caused
by Phytophthora rubi) is
responsible for significant crop
loss for raspberry growers
every year. Despite the
increasing trend for production
in soil-less substrates,
plantations can still be infected
by contaminated water and
compost and by plants rooting
through their containers into
field soils. The industry relies
heavily on SL 567A
(metalaxyl-M), Shirlan
(fluazinam) and Paraat
(dimethomorph) for control but
because these products have a
single mode of action, there’s a
high risk fungal resistance will
develop. This project will look at
the potential of novel
alternatives, including at least
one biological product, and test
their effectiveness as
preventative drenches.
SF 124 Development and
validation of a molecular
diagnostic test for strawberry
tarsonemid mite
Project leader: Jerry Cross,
EMR
Richard Harnden, Berry
Gardens Growers
Research
The tarsonemid mite, which
causes plant stunting and
reduced yields and quality, has
been a challenge for strawberry
growers for many years. Once
present in the plant, it is
particularly difficult to control,
especially on everbearers
A genetic test for tarsonemid
would help eradicate it from
planting stocks
2011/2012 HDC Soft Fruit Review 3
New projects
during flowering and fruiting
when growers don’t want to use
acaricides. The most prudent
approach is to ensure it is
eradicated from propagation
stocks.
The aim for this project is to
develop a highly sensitive, rapid
molecular or ‘genetic fingerprint’
test for the mite and to find out
how many plants would be
needed in a sample in order to
be sure of detecting the pest if
present.
SF 125 Evaluation of
acaricides and adjuvants for
strawberry tarsonemid mite
control
EMR
Seth Walpole, R W Walpole
Research
The ability of several acaricides
to control tarsonemid mite in
strawberry was assessed in the
recent HDC-funded project SF
79 at East Malling Research. Of
the currently approved
products, two applications of
Dynamec + Silwet wetter in
August was the most effective
treatment. But despite using
this mixture in commercial
plantations, many growers have
still failed to achieve adequate
control.
The effectiveness of curative
foliar sprays of several products
will be investigated and
compared to Dynamec and
Masai in this project. These will
include a range of pesticides and
biopesticides. The use of different
classes of adjuvants to improve
spray penetration will also be
looked at.
SF 126 Blueberry gall midge
sex pheromone monitoring
and control with insecticides
EMR
Shoot blackening caused by blueberry midge
Partnership
Research and commercial farms
The blueberry gall midge is a
damaging pest of UK blueberry
crops, affecting shoot tips and
leading to leaf distortion and
blackening of buds which are
killed by the attack.
EMR and Natural
Resources Institute scientists
have already identified the sex
pheromones of several midge
pests of fruit crops, which can
be used in monitoring traps to
help improve timing of control.
This work is now extending to
blueberry gall midge and the
sex pheromone produced by
the females. The trap will be
calibrated to monitor midge
populations and guide
decisions on spray timing.
Trials will find which
insecticides are the most
effective against the midge,
including the active substances
thiacloprid, spirotetramat,
pyrethrum, chlorpyrifos and a
synthetic pyrethroid, and when
they are best applied.
SF 127 Characterising vine
weevil aggregation
pheromone for use in traps in
raspberry
Project leaders: Scott Johnson
and Tom Shepherd, The James
Hutton Institute
Richard Stanley, Stanley &
Pickford
Location: The James Hutton
Institute and Natural Resources
Institute
Chemical insecticides have
only ever achieved partial
control of adult vine weevils in
soft fruit plantations. Targeting
the pest can be particularly
difficult as the adults hide for
much of the day and tend to
seek cover when they sense
the approach of a tractormounted sprayer.
Scientists at The James
Hutton Institute and Natural
Resources Institute are taking a
different approach to control of
the pest in this project. They
have evidence that adult
weevils produce a volatile
aggregation pheromone which
they want to identify and which
they believe could be
incorporated into lure-and-kill
traps, such as sticky traps.
They will need to characterise
the pheromone’s chemical
components, how the weevils
generate it and the distance
over which it attracts the adults.
If successful, it could control
adult weevils before they lay
eggs, and would not be subject
to the restrictions and
regulations associated with
insecticides.
SF 128 To assess the
suitability and productivity of
newly released June-bearing
strawberry varieties and
near-market selections in
substrate culture
Term: July 2011 to September
2012
Project leader: Sarah Troop,
Meiosis
Stephen McGuffie, New Farm
Produce
Location: New Farm Produce,
Elmhurst, Lichfield,
Staffordshire
HDC has funded June-bearing
strawberry variety trials for
almost 20 years, but in that time
the work has exclusively focused
on soil-grown crops. Given the
Vine weevils may produce a pheromone which could be used in traps
increasing and significant
production in soil-less
substrates, a comparison
of new varieties and selections
with Elsanta and Sonata
grown in bags or pots will help
growers identify the varieties
that best suit this growing
system.
Tray plants of a range of
varieties were planted in
Spanish tunnels in July 2011.
Records will be taken of yields,
grade-out of Class 1 fruit, fruit
and plant characteristics, shelflife, flavour and susceptibility to
pest and disease.
SF 129 Evaluation of residual
herbicides for rhubarb
Term: February 2011 to
January 2012
Project leader: Chris Creed,
ADAS
Tim Place, Place UK
Location: E Oldroyd & Sons,
Hopefield Farm, Rothwell, Leeds
Over the past two years,
returns for rhubarb have
improved with several soft fruit
growers cropping it in April and
May before the soft fruit season
gets under way. Weed control
is, however, becoming
increasingly difficult as
simazine and dichlobenil –
herbicides traditionally used in
rhubarb production – have
been withdrawn and the future
of others is is uncertain.
A range of residual and
contact-acting herbicides are
being screened to see if any
offer potential as replacements.
These include the residual
Venzar (lenacil), Chikara
(flazasulfuron), Sencorex
(metribuzin) and Calaris
(terbuthylazine + mesotrione)
and contact-acting products
Garlon (triclopyr) and Dow
Shield (clopyralid) which are
being compared to Roundup.
All products are being assessed
for their effectiveness and crop
safety.
Crop protection
Controls for the next generation
chemistry, biopesticides, IPM
programmes and novel
technologies for sustainable
pest, disease and weed control
in a range of edible crops.
In soft fruit, it will focus on
aphids in strawberry and
raspberry, capsids in
strawberry, phytophthora crown
rot in strawberry and root rot in
raspberry, powdery mildew and
soft rots in strawberry, cane
diseases in raspberry, aphids in
protected raspberry and weeds
in cane and bush fruit crops.
The soft fruit work is being
conducted by ADAS (weeds),
EMR (diseases and pests) and
The James Hutton Institute
(pests).
Recent EU reviews of
pesticides have resulted in the
loss from the market of
significant numbers of active
substances across member
states. Many horticultural crops
have been particularly badly
affected, because certain key
active substances have not
been included on the Annex 1
list which is needed for
approval. Despite work by
HDC to secure a range of
SOLAs to fill the gaps left by
many of the active ingredients
lost to the soft fruit industry, it is
essential that sustainable longterm crop protection measures
are found.
The project
This Defra Horticulture LINK
project (known as SCEPTRE)
will assess and develop new
PROJECT PROFILE
CP 77
Sustainable
crop and
environment
protection –
targeted research for
edibles SCEPTRE (Defra
Horticulture LINK HL 01109)
Term: October 2010 to
September 2014
Project co-ordinator:
Tim O’Neill, ADAS (pictured)
Industry leader: David
Piccaver
Industry representatives:
Harriet Duncalfe and John
Sedgwick
Location: various research
and commercial sites
This project is sponsored by
Defra through the Horticulture
LINK programme and
supported by HDC, crop
protection companies, food
retailers and others in the
UK horticulture industry. See
www.hdc.org.uk/sceptre for
more details.
Progress
The first experiments were set
up in 2011 and include:
l A screening trial to identify
novel products with activity
against mucor and rhizopus,
which cause soft rots of
strawberry, compared to the
use of Switch (cyprodinil +
fludioxonil)
l A screening trial of novel
insecticides to control aphids
(Amphorophora idaei, Aphis
idaei and Macrosiphon
euphorbiae) on protected
raspberry
l An evaluation of pesticides
and biopesticides to control
European tarnished plant bug
(Lygus rugulipennis) on
strawberry
l An investigation of the
effectiveness and crop safety of
a range of herbicides on
perennial weeds that are
commonly found in bush and
cane fruit plantations
l An investigation of the
effectiveness of electrical weed
control using a shielded high
power electrode applied to
perennial weeds in bush and
cane fruit crops
l A screening trial of four
Above: Although only in its
first year, the programme has
identified some potential new
treatments against aphids
Left: Four herbicides have been
tested for weed control and
crop safety in strawberry
herbicide treatments for crop
safety and weed control in
strawberries when applied to a
matted row crop.
Initial results already indicate
some potential effective new
treatments for control of
aphids, L. rugulipennis and
mucor and rhizopus. Results
are currently being analysed
and the most promising
treatments will be taken forward
for further testing next year. The
full results of all of these
experimental trials will become
available in 2012.
l When available, the full
Grower Summary for project CP
77 will be found on HDC’s
website www.hdc.org.uk.
Meanwhile, you can follow
progress on the SCEPTRE web
pages, by following the link from
the HDC website home page.
❝
Given the continual loss of pesticide active ingredients for our industry, it was
essential that the HDC funded this research to identify alternatives for the most
pressing pests, diseases and weeds. Although in its infancy, this Horticulture LINK
project is likely to provide growers with welcome alternatives
❞
Crop protection
Extending to soft fruit
Much of the work that HDC
conducts on your behalf is highly
visible – you can read about the
results of the research projects
on soft fruit funded by your levy in
publications such as this review
or in HDC News or factsheets, or
on the website; or hear about it at
the events that we organise.
What is not always so
obvious is the vast amount of
work that HDC undertakes to
ensure that you continue to have
access to the crop protection
products that you need.
HDC now employs two
technical managers, Vivian
Powell and Bolette Palle Neve, to
liaise with the industry,
agrochemical manufacturers, the
Chemicals Regulation Directorate
(CRD) and a range of pesticide
groups around the world to
ensure that the necessary action
is taken to provide growers with
access to a full crop protection
armoury.
They work with HDC Soft
Fruit Panel members and
technical manager Andrew
Tinsley to identify current gaps in
the growers’ armoury and to
predict shortfalls that are likely to
arise once crop protection
products scheduled for
withdrawal from the market are
no longer available.
The next step is to earmark
potential crop protection
products, both from this country
and abroad, which might have a
useful role to play or do a similar
job to the products which are
being lost. In many cases, new
residue data is needed for new
products which might replace
outgoing ones. Vivian and Bolette
work with agrochemical
manufacturers to co-ordinate the
generation of this data to support
important new uses in soft fruit.
This usually results in HDC
co-ordinating applications for new
SOLAs, which are now called
Extensions of Authorisation for
Minor Use or EAMU, to CRD. In
some instances, further work is
needed to liaise with partners in
mainland Europe to access the
necessary data which can be
used in our applications.
Increasingly, HDC is
submitting applications for
extensions of authorisation for
biopesticides on speciality crops,
such as soft fruit. Biopesticides
are now routinely assessed for
their potential to control pests and
diseases in our ongoing soft fruit
projects and, where they prove
effective, approval is sought for
their use on strawberry, cane or
bush fruit crops. An example of
this is the biopesticide Met 52
which contains the insectpathogenic fungus Metarhizium
❝
HDC continues to work with growers, marketing groups and crop associations to keep abreast of the
gaps that are appearing in the crop protection armoury and to identify suitable solutions. Additional
collaboration with manufacturers and overseas partners ensures that we continue to deliver essential crop
protection products for the soft fruit industry
Vivian Powell, HDC crop protection manager
❞
anisopliae. This product is
actually approved for use in
outdoor soft fruit and
ornamentals, but HDC has
worked to extend its approval to a
wider range of horticultural crops.
Vivian and Bolette are also
currently working closely with
CRD to ensure that the impact of
the new European pesticide
approvals regulation 1107/2009
will not jeopardise minor or
speciality crops such as soft fruit.
Growers and grower groups
in the soft fruit industry who have
any concerns about pending
losses of crop protection products
should contact Vivian Powell at
[email protected]
to discuss how HDC can help to
find appropriate solutions.
During the past year, HDC
has secured a number of SOLAs
or EAMUs for the soft fruit sector,
which are listed in the table.
Recent SOLAs secured for the soft fruit industry
Product
Active ingredient
SOLA No
Crops
Target pest/disease
Aphox
Pirimicarb
2316/10
Outdoor blackberry
‘Unspecified’ insecticide
Aphox
Pirimicarb
2319/10
Outdoor blueberry
Phantom
Pirimicarb
2354/10
Outdoor blackberry
DiPel DF
(Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki)
2882/10
Protected blueberry
Insects – caterpillar
Aliette 80 WG
Fosetyl-aluminium
2907/10
Protected and outdoor crops of strawberry
Crown rot and red core
Scala
Pyrimethanil
0291/11
Protected and outdoor crops of blackcurrant, Botrytis
redcurrant, blueberry and gooseberry
Scala
Pyrimethanil
0292/11
Protected crops of raspberry and blackberry Botrytis
Scala Pyrimethanil
0293/11
Outdoor blackberry
Botrytis
Bravo 500
Chlorothalonil
0949/11
Outdoor strawberry
Leaf spot
Lorsban WG Chlorpyrifos
0951/11
Outdoor blackberry
Dual Gold
S-metolachlor
1255/11
Outdoor strawberry
Annual grass weeds
Artist
Flufenacet + metribuzin
1355/11
Protected and outdoor crops of blackcurrant, Broadleaved and grass weeds
redcurrant, blueberry and gooseberry
Fortress
Quinoxyfen
1459/11
Outdoor crops of blackcurrant, redcurrant,
blueberry and gooseberry
Powdery mildew
Met 52 Granular Bioinsecticide Metarhizium anisopliae
1568/11
Various fruit crops
Vine weevil, leatherjackets, midges, sciarid flies, thrips
Hallmark with Zeon Technology Lambda-cyhalothrin
1705/11
Protected and outdoor crops of strawberry
Tarnished plant bug, capsids
Protected and outdoor crops of blueberry
and other fruit crops
Vine weevil, leatherjackets, midges, sciarid flies, thrips
Met 52 Granular Bioinsecticide Metarhizium anisopliae
1997/11
Pest & Disease
Pest development pictured in strawberry
Strawberry growers expect to
contend with certain flower and
leaf pests each season, but are
never quite sure when they will
strike. Watching out for the
arrival of these pests by regular
crop monitoring is reliable but
not always fail-safe. A more
accurate system for predicting
when pests will arrive would
help growers to improve the
timing of control measures,
which in turn could potentially
save on the number of sprays
applied.
The project
Temperature-based models to
predict the development of
tarnished plant bug, strawberry
blossom weevil and tarsonemid
mite on strawberry are being
designed in this project, which
could improve the accuracy of
pest forecasting and
subsequent timing of spray
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 114 Development of
temperature degree-based
models to predict pest
development on strawberry for
optimisation of control strategies
Project leaders: Xiangming Xu (pictured left) and Jean
Fitzgerald, EMR
Industry representative: Harriet Duncalfe, H&H Duncalfe
Location: East Malling Research
Temperaturebased models
to predict the
development
of strawberry
blossom weevil
could help
growers time
sprays more
accurately
applications. The models
will incorporate a generalpurpose tool for calculating day
degrees.
Results so far
The prototype models are using
published information on the
rates of development of the
three pests at constant
temperatures.
The model for European
tarnished plant bug, or capsid,
which is currently being
validated, has focused on its
development at low and
fluctuating temperatures to
simulate early season
conditions, before the capsid
migrates to strawberry crops.
Eggs have been placed singly
onto plant material and the time
each life-stage takes to
complete has been recorded.
Information about different
capsid life-stages has been
❝
collected from weed and
strawberry plants and will be
used to refine the model.
l The full Grower Summary for
project SF 114 can be found on
HDC’s website www.hdc.org.uk
This type of project will considerably improve the accuracy of pest prediction
and forecasting in UK commercial strawberry production and will further improve our
efforts to time control measures better
❞
Spray timing key to chlorpyrifos alternatives
Raspberry growers have
depended heavily on
chlorpyrifos products to control
raspberry cane midge since
they were found to be the most
effective of approved raspberry
insecticides in trials work at
SCRI in the 1980s. But with
increasing pressure to reduce
the use of broad spectrum
organophosphate insecticides
such as chlorpyrifos, the
industry is now keen to find an
alternative.
The project
The project screened
alternative insecticide
treatments to chlorpyrifos and
work was also undertaken on
treatment timings.
Results
Work in the first year showed
that three neonicotinoid
insecticides – Calypso
Raspberry cane midge damage
(above) and a red trap used
for monitoring adult numbers
(right)
(thiacloprid), Gazelle
(acetamiprid) and Centric
(thiamethoxam) – at half rate in
a mixture with a silicone
adjuvant gave good control of
the midge when applied
curatively six days after artificial
splits were made in
primocanes. Calypso is
approved for use on fruiting
raspberry plants. Gazelle and
Centric are currently only
approved for use in
propagation.
In the project’s final year,
spray application over a wider
time period was investigated.
Half-rate Calypso + Silwet and
Gazelle + Silwet sprays were
found to be no more than
moderately effective in
controlling raspberry cane
midge, and much less effective
than chlorpyrifos treatment.
The timing of their
application was more critical
and they were effective for a
shorter period than chlorpyrifos.
They only worked well when
sprays were applied a few days
after egg laying so they acted
curatively, probably mainly
against young larvae.
Knowing when splits
occur naturally in canes, for
instance by a simple split risk
simulation model, would help
growers time sprays more
precisely.
The Soft Fruit Panel is
considering further work on this
and on other possible control
measures for this pest.
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 101
Alternatives to
chlorpyrifos
for raspberry
midge control
Term: April 2009 to March
2011
Project leader: Adrian Harris,
EMR (pictured)
Partnership
Location: commercial sites
in Kent
❝
This work has improved our knowledge of the
effectiveness of alternative insecticides to chlorpyrifos.
It may be necessary to commission further work if
approval for chlorpyrifos were to be lost
Laurie Adams, Hall Hunter Partnership
❞
Pest & Disease
Biocontrols hold promise against
blackberry leaf midge
Of the currently approved
insecticides, only chlorpyrifos
gives control of blackberry leaf
midge but it is not approved on
protected blackberry and is
incompatible with IPM
programmes.
The project
The location and timing of the
midge’s key life-stages on
commercial crops were studied
and integrated control methods
for use on protected blackberry
tested with a view to extending
them to protected raspberry.
Results
The midge was found to
overwinter in cocoons 3cm down
in the soil. In 2009 and 2010, the
adults emerged in April and May
depending on soil temperatures.
Adults laid eggs slightly earlier
than raspberry cane midges and
their numbers peaked in July.
Blackberry leaf midge larvae (left): feeding damages shoot tips (right)
There were three or four
overlapping generations per
season in protected blackberry
but fewer in outdoor crops.
The predatory mite
Neoseiulus cucumeris fed on
blackberry leaf midge eggs and
larvae in the laboratory. A
preliminary experiment indicated
that it reduced the percentage of
infested leaf tips, but more work
would be needed to confirm its
potential for control.
In a pot experiment,
introductions of the predatory
mite Macrocheles robustulus
reduced numbers of emerging
blackberry leaf midge adults.
❝
As a business which has been seriously affected
by this pest, we welcomed HDC’s funding of this project.
The work has pointed us in the direction of certain
control measures which look to have potential
Paul Harrold, Sunclose Farm
❞
While the results were not
statistically significant, this
predator deserves further
investigation as it is now
commercially available for
controlling sciarid and shore flies
in protected crops.
Naturally occurring
anthocorid bugs (both Anthocoris
nemorum and an orius species)
were observed feeding on
blackberry leaf midge larvae in
the commercial crop during July
and August. Orius needs warm
temperatures and pollen to feed
on to breed and establish. The
bugs might have a role in
suppressing midge numbers if
released from June onwards,
which could be tested in further
research.
The use of polythene and
woven ground covers
significantly inhibited blackberry
leaf midge pupation in a pot test,
suggesting that such an
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 102
Biology and
integrated
control of
blackberry
leaf midge on blackberry
and raspberry
Term: February 2009 to
March 2011
Project leader: Jude
Bennison, ADAS (pictured)
Paul Harrold, Sunclose
Farm
Location: ADAS Boxworth
and Sunclose Farm
approach might offer growers a
way to manage the pest.
Several insecticide products
were assessed for their control
of the midge, but only
chlorpyrifos reduced larvae
numbers or percentage of
infested leaf tips compared with
leaving plants untreated.
Blackberry leaf midge entrapped
Sex pheromone traps to find
out when leaf midge pests
emerge on fruit crops such as
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 117 Sex
pheromone
trap for
monitoring
blackberry
leaf midge
Term: April 2010 to March
2012
Project leader: David Hall,
NRI, University of Greenwich
(pictured)
Tom Maynard, Windmill Hill
Farm
Location: Natural Resources
Institute and East Malling
Research
Results so far
Dasineura plicatrix, consisted of
two components. In this project
the chemical structures of these
two components have been
identified as previously
unknown compounds which
scientists have been able to
synthesise in the laboratory.
Results of initial tests showed
that a blend of the two
components is much more
attractive to male midges than
either on their own.
Scientists are now finding
out which blend is the most
effective and how much to load
onto a lure before trialling traps
in commercial plantations.
Previous work in an HDC
studentship, CP 38, indicated
that the female sex pheromone
of the blackberry leaf midge,
apple and blackcurrant, have
helped growers to time sprays
more precisely – and
so should be able to do the
same with leaf midge in
blackberries.
The project
This project is working on a
highly attractive and specific
pheromone trap for blackberry
leaf midge with which growers
could monitor populations of
the pest to inform their
decisions on the need for
control measures.
Damage by blackberry leaf midge larvae: a pheromone trap which
attracts male midges should help growers time control measures
❝
Given the magnificent pioneering work
undertaken by NRI on identification of sex pheromones
of other insect pests, HDC’s Soft Fruit Panel wanted to
benefit from their skills to find the sex pheromone for
blackberry leaf midge
❞
Tom Maynard, Windmill Hill Farm
Smart measures cut spray
use in protected raspberries
This five-year Horticulture LINK
project, completed in March
2011, designed a suite of
integrated control measures
and novel control techniques to
help growers of protected
raspberry crops rely less on
agrochemicals for pest and
disease control, so reducing the
risk of pesticide residues
occurring in picked fruit.
Raspberry powdery mildew
(above): use of potassium
bicarbonate will help to
eradicate infection
Large raspberry aphid (left): rely
on predators and parasites for
control in spring and summer
The scientists focused on the
five principal pests and
diseases of raspberry on
protected crops including
aphids, raspberry beetle,
raspberry cane midge, powdery
mildew and fruit and cane
botrytis.
In the project’s early years
new methods of control were
assessed and novel technology
developed that growers could
use to monitor and manage
raspberry beetle and raspberry
cane midge. All the different
elements were brought together
into an integrated system that
was trialled under protection on
commercial farms.
Results
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 74 Integrated pest and disease management
for high quality raspberry production (Defra
Project leader: Jerry Cross, EMR (pictured)
Industry representative: Tim Place, Place UK
Location: various sites
Factsheet 13/11
Horticulture
Development
Company
Cane fruit
Project SF 74 (Defra Horticulture LINK HL0175)
Stoneleigh Park
Kenilworth
Warwickshire CV8 2TL
T: 0247 669 2051
Pesticide residue reduction in commercial
raspberry crops
Scott Raffle, HDC
Raspberry growers have come under increasing pressure to supply berries that are free from detectable
pesticide residues (Figure 1). This factsheet summarises the recommendations made following the completion
of a Defra Horticulture LINK project. The research resulted in improved application timing of crop protection
products and developed novel pest and disease control methods to reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides.
Introduction
Commercially produced raspberries
are susceptible to a number of insect
pests and diseases which lead to fruit
damage, fruit contamination, cane
death and ultimately loss of yield.
To gain acceptable levels of control,
growers have traditionally relied
upon the use of chemical pesticides,
including applications on developing
fruit, sometimes close to harvest.
However, this may result in the
presence of chemical residues
(Figure 2) below the maximum
residue level (MRL) permitted in
marketed fruit, which although
perfectly legal is undesirable to
some retail customers. Retail
surveillance before the start of the
project demonstrated that more than
50% of UK produced fruit contained
fungicide residues and 22% contained
residues of the organophosphate
insecticide chlorpyrifos.
© East Malling Research
growers to target crop
protection products better.
As a result of the work, a
full set of guidelines for growers
was published in a new HDC
factsheet, 13/11, Pesticide
residue reduction in commercial
raspberry crops. Action points
in the factsheet included:
l Avoid the use of high cane
densities which can increase
humidity in the crop canopy
l After harvest, remove spent
floricanes (fruiting canes) within
© East Malling Research
By the end of the project,
improved control measures had
been found for botrytis,
powdery mildew and aphids.
New ways of monitoring
raspberry beetle and raspberry
cane midge were developed to
help identify when, where and
at what level the two pests
attack crops, which will allow
pictures: The James Hutton Institute
The project
1 Raspberry growers are coming under increasing pressure
to produce high quality fruit that is free from detectable
pesticide residues
2 Pesticide residue analysis sometimes detects the presence
of chemical residues
An HDC factsheet (13/11)
provides up-to-date advice
based on the project findings
two to three weeks of the final
pick
l Remove any canes with
visible symptoms of cane
disease
l Apply a programme of two to
three post-harvest fungicide
sprays to control cane botrytis
l Cool fruit rapidly to 1-2ºC
immediately after harvest and
store at 3-4ºC to delay onset of
fruit rotting
l Apply an approved
protectant fungicide to the
crop very early after covering
tunnels with polythene in
spring to reduce the risk of
powdery mildew infection.
If subsequent infection is
observed, the use of potassium
bicarbonate will help to
eradicate infection
l Use an aphicide to control
aphid populations in early to
mid October but rely on
❝
predators and parasites in the
spring and summer
l Use funnel traps with lures at
50 per ha to monitor raspberry
beetle adults
l To monitor raspberry cane
midge adults, deploy two sex
pheromone monitoring traps in
each field in early spring and
check weekly.
The project involved four
science partners: East Malling
Research, ADAS, Scottish Crop
Research Institute (now The
James Hutton Institute) and
Natural Resources Institute. It
was co-funded by Defra,
Agrisense BCS, Assured Food
Standards 2003, Bayer
CropScience, Berryworld,
British Polythene Industries,
Co-operative Group (CWS),
East Malling Trust for
Horticultural Research, HDC,
Berry Gardens Growers, LEAF,
Marks & Spencer, Total Berry,
the Worshipful Company of
Fruiterers and Waitrose.
project SF 74 and Factsheet
13/11 can be found on HDC’s
website www.hdc.org.uk
This is the type of new information and advice
raspberry growers need to reduce their reliance on
chemical pesticides close to harvest
❞
Steven Kember, Berry Gardens Growers agronomist
Pest & Disease
Capsids caught out by modern technology
Capsids continue to be
responsible for serious damage
and yield losses in all soft fruit
crops and some protected edible
crops. In strawberries and cane
fruit, the European tarnished
plant bug (Lygus rugulipennis)
feeds on developing flowers
which results in malformed fruit;
in cucumbers, it causes stunting
of the leading shoots and scarred
fruits. In cane and bush fruit, the
common green capsid (L.
pabulinus) feeds on developing
shoot tips and leaves.
Attacks by common green
capsid on strawberry increased
in 2011. In the past, lack of an
effective monitoring tool has
prevented capsids from being
adequately controlled in
horticultural crops.
The project
This project has been developing
practical pheromone lures and
traps for monitoring European
tarnished plant bug and common
green capsid along with the nettle
capsid, a serious pest of peppers.
PROJECT PROFILE
PC/SF 276 Pheromone technology for
management of capsid pests to reduce
pesticide use in horticultural crops (Defra
Project leader: Michelle Fountain, EMR (pictured)
Industry representative: Tom Maynard, Windmill Hill Farm
Location: East Malling Research; Natural Resources Institute
A green cross-vane trap in
strawberries to catch European
tarnished plant bugs (inset)
Monitoring will help integrated
pest management by improving
the timing of sprays, which in turn
will reduce the incidence of
pesticide residues and the risks
of resistance. It will also help
biocontrol programmes in place
for other pests.
Results so far
A mix of three pheromone
compounds was first identified
from female European tarnished
plant bugs and successfully used
to attract males. A sex
pheromone was also identified
for the common green capsid.
The project has now been
extended for two years to
develop the findings further to
make them practical for growers
to use.
Early on in the project, a
green pre-moulded cross-vane
funnel trap was confirmed as
the best choice of trap to use
with the pheromone lure for
L. rugulipennis.
It has been shown to work
well as an early warning system
– the capsid can be detected up
to two months earlier in
strawberry compared to
traditional monitoring methods.
In the case of the common
green capsid, significant numbers
of males have been trapped
using synthetic sex pheromone
lures for the first time.
project PC/SF 276 can be
found on HDC’s website www.
hdc.org.uk
❝
The UK soft fruit industry is extremely fortunate to
have a team of scientists at EMR and NRI who are
undertaking world-leading research on our behalf. As
this project is nearing completion, we will shortly have
access to new monitoring techniques which will help to
reduce the use of chemical pesticides
❞
Dealing with resistance in WFT
Western flower thrips, an
increasingly important pest of
strawberries, has become widely
resistant to spinosad, the main
insecticide used for its control, as
well as most other insecticides,
which has caused an upsurge in
pest damage.
Despite two projects to
study the pest’s biology in
strawberry (SF 80) and to
assess the effectiveness of
different insecticides (SF 90),
no adequate control measures
have yet been found.
The project
A range of new ways to manage
WFT in protected strawberries is
being looked at in this project.
These include an improved
semiochemical monitoring trap
with thresholds to trigger action, a
computer-based population and
risk forecasting model, new
selective pesticide treatments,
new biopesticides and novel,
more cost-effective strategies for
using existing biocontrol agents.
A management strategy based
on these components will be
tested on a commercial scale in
the later stages of the project.
Results so far
Researchers have synthesised
the two chemical components of
the WFT sex pheromone which
have already been tested in
different dispensers. A trap
design needs further work.
A computer model that
predicts WFT population growth
has been developed using what
we know from its behaviour on
chrysanthemum and is being
adapted for strawberry.
Biocontrol with the predatory
mite Neoseiulus cucumeris
(formerly known as Amblyseius
cucumeris) and the predatory
bug Orius laevigatus have shown
good potential. N. cucumeris
reduced early damage but failed
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 120 Biological, semiochemical and selective
chemical management methods for insecticide
resistant western flower thrips on protected
strawberry (Defra Horticulture LINK HL 01107)
Industry representative: Richard Harnden, Berry Gardens Growers
Location: East Malling Research, Natural Resources Institute,
ADAS Boxworth, University of Keele, Warwick HRI and grower
sites in Kent and East Anglia
product showed any potential.
This will be investigated further
along with new biopesticides.
❝
Biocontrol with the predatory
mite Neoseiulus cucumeris has
shown potential for WFT control
to prevent the population
increasing and causing damage
later in the season.
Work with banker plants
identified the bedding plant
alyssum Clear Crystal as being
highly attractive to WFT and an
ideal host plant for O. laevigatus.
In trials comparing
biopesticides, novel insecticides
and a botanical insecticide with
spinosad (Tracer), only one
WFT has given
rise to major damage and
crop losses for strawberry
growers in the past six or
seven years, particularly
in everbearers. I am
very hopeful that the
collaborative research
being undertaken in this
LINK project will provide
some significant
improvement in our
understanding and
control of this pest
❞
Richard Harnden,
Berry Gardens Growers
Predators you never knew you had
Using commercial predatory
mites to control two-spotted
spider mite costs growers
considerable sums each year.
Phytoseiulus persimilis is most
commonly used but it doesn’t
overwinter and control is not
guaranteed.
The project
An unidentified species of
overwintering predatory mite had
been observed on fruit farms in
spring and early summer, laying
eggs and feeding on emerging
populations of two-spotted spider
mite, and on other prey where no
spider mites were present.
The aim of this project was to
identify the mite and assess its
potential contribution to the
control of two-spotted spider
mite. Project leader Robert Irving
looked for any links between
grower practices and incidence of
Nearly all the mites found on
raspberry in the farm survey
were Amblyseius andersoni
predatory mite and studied the
conditions which favour its
survival and which could help
growers to manage plantations to
enhance its numbers.
Results
Surprisingly few species of
predatory mite were found.
Neoseiulus californicus and
Amblyseius andersoni were the
most abundant found in the farm
survey although Typhlodromus
pyri was also found on some sites.
N. californicus was only found on
strawberries; nearly all the mites
on raspberries were A. andersoni.
Irving analysed records of
insecticide use at each sampling
site. The most common active
ingredients used (in order of
frequency across the survey)
were chlorpyrifos (such as
Dursban), bifenthrin (Talstar),
clofentezine (Apollo),
tebufenpyrad (Masai), abamectin
(Dynamec), thiacloprid (Calypso),
pymetrozine (Chess) and
pirimicarb (such as Aphox). Not
all of these actives were used at
each site, but they show that both
N. californicus and A. andersoni
must have some degree of
tolerance to some or all of these
pesticides.
As these predatory mites also
appear to survive UK winters,
there is great scope for growers
to manage them to benefit their
pest control regimes. The mites’
exact role in the soft fruit
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 115 The identification of overwintering
predatory mites in raspberry and strawberry,
and investigation of the potential for on-farm
production
Term: February 2010 to January 2011
Project leader: Robert Irving, ADAS (pictured)
Industry representative: Stephen McGuffie, New Farm Produce
Location: ADAS Rosemaund and various commercial sites
ecosystem is unknown, but
deserves further investigation.
At present growers aren’t
allowed to introduce N.
californicus to outdoor crops
because it is a non-native
species. Given that it has now
coupled with more cropping
under protection and more
sensitive varieties being grown,
although no-one knows how
these factors have contributed to
the problem.
The project
Researchers are studying the
relationship between the
numbers of blackberry mite and
levels of red berry disease and
are monitoring the migration of
the mite through the season.
Spray trials of a range of
approved and non-approved
acaricides will identify safe and
❝
Red berry continues to result in significant crop
losses for many blackberry growers so it was essential
that HDC funded this project to explore the causes and
determine the control methods available
❞
Richard Harnden, Berry Gardens Growers
Control of blackberry mite did
not consistently lead to less red
berry disease
effective treatments and the best
time to apply.
Results so far
Blackberry mites were found to
remain mainly under the outer
scales of the overwintering buds
until May, out of reach of any
spray applications aimed at
controlling them before then.
Fortnightly sprays of sulphur or
Codacide oil with or without two
sprays of Dynamec (abamectin)
were compared from May
❝
This piece of work has been very helpful in
identifying which predatory mite species are already
present in plantations. It will ensure that we assess
their numbers in the spring to help us better manage
our biocontrol regimes
❞
Stephen McGuffie, New Farm Produce
Mite not solely to blame for
red berry in blackberries
Blackberry mite has long been
considered responsible for red
berry disease, which has been
causing extensive damage in
many commercial blackberry
plantations over the last three
years, especially in high value
crops grown in tunnels.
The pest used to be
controlled by spring sprays of
Thiodan (endosulfan). Elvaron
and Elvaron Multi (tolylfluanid)
probably subsequently lent
incidental control and it’s
possible that the increase in
incidence is due to the
withdrawal of these products
been found overwintering
outdoors, its status needs to be
reconsidered by Defra.
onwards when some of the mites
had emerged from the buds.
Although none of the treatments
totally eliminated mite
infestations, they all worked
equally well in reducing numbers.
However, a fortnightly
programme of sulphur
applications resulted in unsightly
deposits on fruit so Codacide oil
looks the best choice for growers.
Dynamec is probably harmful
to predatory phytoseiid mites
which are likely to be important
natural enemies of blackberry
mite and may exacerbate the
problem in the longer term.
The first year’s research
showed that control of blackberry
mite did not consistently lead to
less red berry disease in all of the
varieties tested. One variety, for
instance, suffered severe red
berry in the absence of any
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 116
Preventing red
berry disease
by monitoring
and control
of blackberry mite
Term: April 2010 to
March 2012
EMR (pictured)
Richard Harnden, Berry
Gardens Growers
Research and
Salmans Farm, Kent
mites. So it appears it can be
caused by some other factor
which affects different plantations
to different extents but is not
controlled by acaricide sprays.
This work will be repeated for
another year.
Pest & Disease
Fungicides pitted against crown rot
Strawberry crown rot, caused
by Phytophthora cactorum, has
troubled UK crops for more
than 20 years and despite the
attention the problem has
received, it still loses the
industry serious money every
year. While the incidence of
some diseases has been
reduced by use of soil-less
substrates, crown rot has
continued to affect bag- and
pot-grown crops.
The project
This project looked for effective
additional fungicides to reduce
growers’ reliance on Aliette and
Paraat, and explored the use of
alternative chemicals or
biofungicides.
The highly susceptible
everbearer Malling Pearl was
planted into peat bags and a
range of treatments applied as
drenches immediately after
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 99 Sustainable control of crown rot
(Phytophthora cactorum) in strawberry
EMR (pictured)
Crown rot: several alternative products were found effective but
none are yet approved for use on strawberry
Results
planting or two weeks later; or
as a foliar spray two weeks after
planting, once new leaf growth
was visible. Following the
treatments, potted plants of
Malling Pearl inoculated with
P. cactorum were introduced to
each bag, as a way of infecting
the other plants, and overhead
irrigation triggered at set
intervals to help the disease
develop and spread. Most of the
❝
With growers continuing to be challenged by this
serious disease, it was absolutely vital that HDC funded
more research to screen the latest chemistry available
for gaining control
❞
Substitutes for mildew
control in strawberry
Growers are well aware of the
need to eliminate detectable
pesticide residues in
strawberries at picking, but
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 113
Comparison
of five nonpesticide
mildew
control products on
strawberry
Term: May 2010 to January
2011
Project leader: James
Carew, FAST
Partnership
Location: Edward Vinson,
Faversham, Kent
inoculated plants collapsed with
typical symptoms of crown rot.
controlling powdery mildew
relies on using fungicides close
to harvest. Alternatives are
needed to replace the use of
traditional fungicides at that
crucial time.
The project
A range of substances was
screened in this project: Sentry
R (which contains extracts from
giant knotweed), Serenade
ASO (Bacillus subtilis),
Orophite (containing phosphoric
acid, potassium and Orosorb),
sulphur and potassium
bicarbonate.
A bag-grown 60-day crop of
Sonata on table-tops under
polythene tunnels was used for
the trial, planted in early July
and established using overhead
Potassium bicarbonate +
sulphur was the most effective
– but care is needed to avoid
phytotoxic effects
mist irrigation for the first four
weeks until first open flower.
The substances were trialled in
combinations, based on their
mode of action, and compared
both to untreated plots and the
adjacent commercial crop.
From the range of treatments,
Revus (mandipropamid),
Ranman A (cyazofamid) and
Fenomenal (fosetyl-aluminium
+ fenamidone), applied as one
spray or drench, significantly
reduced crown rot levels
compared to where plants were
left untreated and were as
effective as Aliette (fosetylaluminium) and Paraat
(dimethomorph). Farmfos
(potassium phosphite) applied
Applications were made every
seven days from planting.
Results
Powdery mildew failed to
develop during the first four
weeks of the trial when
overhead mist irrigation was
being used and leaf surfaces
remained wet. It then rapidly
took hold. The combinations of
potassium bicarbonate +
Serenade ASO, potassium
bicarbonate + sulphur, and
Serenade ASO + sulphur were
all highly effective, with
potassium bicarbonate +
sulphur the most effective. This
mix provides both eradicant
action, from the bicarbonate,
and protection courtesy of the
at 10 litres/ha as one spray
soon after planting reduced
disease incidence: it was also
effective at 5 litres/ha but less
so than the higher rate.
Fenomenal has an approval
for use on outdoor strawberry.
Revus and Ranman are not
currently approved for use on
strawberry. Farmfos is used as
a foliar feed, but is not currently
approved for use on strawberry
as a crop protection product.
sulphur.
Sulphur is known to have a
phytotoxic effect on strawberry,
while potassium bicarbonate
can cause some leaf scorch if
overused, particularly in hot
conditions. So great care is
needed when using these
products either singly or in
combination over a period of
time and their effects should be
monitored closely as part of the
spray programme’s
management. Growers should
consider using the products on
a small scale to assess their
effect before treating all crops.
❝
As powdery mildew continues to pose a major
threat to all strawberry growers, it was helpful to
assess a range of alternative control measures
Laurie Adams, Hall Hunter Partnership
❞
Ways to reduce residue risk on strawberry
Technological developments are
allowing analytical laboratories
to detect the presence of
pesticide residues at ever lower
levels. This has increased
pressure on the strawberry
industry to find new ways to
control and manage the major
insect pests and diseases while
avoiding the use of chemical
pesticides close to harvest.
project was commissioned to
develop new approaches to crop
protection in strawberry
production. Led by East Malling
Research in conjunction with
ADAS, Fera and the Natural
Resources Institute, it set out to
find pesticide-free methods for
managing powdery mildew,
botrytis, black spot, capsids,
aphids and strawberry blossom
weevil.
Roger Umpelby
The project
Tarnished plant bug: a tractor-mounted bug vacuum can cut numbers by up to 40%
Results so far
Trials have been run with a
prototype computerised model
for predicting the risk of
infection by powdery mildew,
developed in a previous HDCfunded project. When used with
covered everbearers, the
model-managed plants needed
only four sprays during the
summer compared to more
than 20 sprays on a
conventionally managed crop.
Several non-synthetic
fungicide products have also
been tested for control of
powdery mildew and so far
potassium bicarbonate with a
wetter has given the best
results.
The Botem botrytis warning
system has repeatedly shown
that June-bearers covered in
the early spring are at very low
risk of infection and don’t need
applications of fungicide to
prevent grey mould. Trials have
also compared the use of a
standard fungicide programme
with three biocontrol
treatments. None of these
significantly reduced the
incidence of latent infection by
botrytis in strawberry flowers or
fruit, or the incidence of botrytis
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 94 Minimising pesticide residues in
strawberry through integrated pest, disease
and environmental crop management (Defra
Location: various sites
A cross-vane trap for monitoring blossom weevils
fruit rot. Further work is under
way on the effects of combining
biocontrol agents with reduced
numbers of fungicide
applications.
Molecular studies on
Colletotrichum acutatum (the
cause of black spot) have
indicated that non-strawberry
host plants such as weeds could
act as a source of the disease in
strawberry plantations. Further
work is evaluating the
effectiveness of biofumigants at
controlling black spot on infected
debris. These studies include
assessment of lavender waste
and Biofence (a seedmeal
derived from brassica plants)
which showed potential for
controlling verticillium in field
soils in a previous Horticulture
LINK project (SF 77).
Trials on tarnished plant
bug control demonstrated that
the use of a bug vacuum, frontmounted on a tractor and
passing over the crop once a
week, reduced populations by
10 to 40%. Work has also
shown that the bedding plant
sweet alyssum is an excellent
trap plant for the pest. It is best
grown from plugs in trickleirrigated peat bags in the leg
row. The use of pyrethrum
sprays to kill the pest on the
trap plants to prevent
infestation of the crop is being
investigated.
For aphids, the use of the
aphicide Calypso (thiacloprid) in
October has been found to cut
aphid populations the following
spring. A mix of six parasitoids
released into aphid-infested
plants significantly reduced the
populations of both strawberry
aphid and potato aphid.
For blossom weevil, the
project is assessing the use of
a ‘super trap’ which contains a
lure combining pest
pheromones and volatile
chemicals from host plants to
aid monitoring and control. The
results suggest that this works
well for low numbers of
blossom weevil, but not when
populations are high. Further
work will be done to assess
cheaper traps which can be
used at higher densities.
❝
This project is making good progress and, like
the raspberry residue project SF 74, we hope that by
its conclusion specific guidelines will be available for
growers to follow and profit from
❞
Herbicides
Soft rots meet
their match
Soft rots in strawberry and
raspberry caused by mucor and
rhizopus fungi have led to
considerable financial losses
for several growers in recent
seasons. The exact source of
these rots has been unclear
and control has been extremely
difficult to achieve.
The project
Led by Angela Berrie of
EMR, this project has
established the relative
incidence of the two rots in soft
fruit plantations and found
chemicals that could be used to
control the problem.
Results
In the second year of the
project, 115 samples of soft rot
fungi were collected from
commercially grown strawberry
and raspberry fruits showing
symptoms of leakage and
breakdown. Mucor was
responsible for 77% of the rots
collected from strawberries and
46% of those from raspberries.
The incidence of rhizopus in
strawberry was relatively low.
A range of fungicides and
other materials including
vitamins and nutrients were
tested against these fungi both
in the laboratory and on tomato
fruit – fungal rots spread more
slowly in tomatoes which
makes it easier for scientists to
assess the effect of fungicides.
Switch (cyprodinil +
fludioxonil), Signum
(pyraclostrobin + boscalid),
❝
In certain seasons,
these rots have led to
huge financial losses for
many growers and
repeated attempts to
control them have been
unsuccessful. This work
has provided us with
some guidance on the
effectiveness of a range
of control products, but
further work on this
problem is being done as
part of the SCEPTRE
project which will
continue to investigate
control options
❞
John Clark,
Beech Farm Partnership
Thianosan (thiram) and an
experimental fungicide were the
most effective in inhibiting
mycelial growth of mucor and
rhizopus and reducing rotting in
tomatoes inoculated with the
fungi.
Potassium bicarbonate,
potassium sorbate and sodium
benzoate all inhibited mycelial
growth of mucor and rhizopus
at high concentrations in
laboratory tests. Switch gave
the most consistent results.
The most promising
products are now being
evaluated in a field trial as part
of the SCEPTRE project.
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 98 Sustainable management of Mucor
and Rhizopus in strawberry and raspberry
EMR (pictured)
Industry representative: John Clark, Beech Farm Partnership
Location: East Malling Research; commercial farms
New herbicides needed
for raspberries
A number of familiar residual
herbicides have been lost to the
raspberry industry in the past
decade while others are under
threat from the latest European
Commission approvals rules,
so it’s important to look for
alternatives that growers could
use.
The project
A range of new herbicides are
being screened with potential for
residual weed control to use in
raspberries at planting and in the
established crop. Products are
being assessed for crop safety
and for their effectiveness.
Herbicides included in the first
year screening were: Butisan S
(metazachlor), Springbok
(metazachlor +
dimethenamid-P), Artist
(metribuzin + flufenacet),
Sumimax (flumioxazine), Callisto
(mesotrione), Dual Gold
(S-metolachlor), Chikara
(flazasulfuron), Monitor
(sulfosulfuron), Goltix
(metamitron), and a coded
product.
Results so far
The trial was run in a newly
planted long-cane plantation
and an established summer
fruiting plantation, both grown
in soil.
In the project’s first year,
Chikara stood out for controlling
weeds more comprehensively
and persistently than other
products. However, its control
of speedwell and black
nightshade in this trial appeared
to be less effective, so on sites
bearing these weeds
treatments with other products
would also be needed.
Artist, Monitor, Callisto and
the coded product could
provide useful control but would
need to be tank mixed with
Chikara controlled weeds more persistently than other products –
but is not currently approved for use on raspberry
other products to cover all weed
species.
Dual Gold doesn’t control all
types of weed but could have
value as a ‘top-up’ treatment
during the season, to extend
residual control, as it has
relatively little contact action on
foliage.
None of the products led to
any significant phytotoxicity
apart from some temporary
chlorosis caused by Callisto.
None are currently approved for
use in raspberries, so HDC
would need to apply for SOLAs
for those which look the most
worthwhile by the end of the
project.
Artist, Callisto, Chikara and
the coded product are being
reassessed during the second
year together with two new
coded products and Gamit
36CS (clomazone). Further
results will be available in 2012.
❝
Raspberry growers
have lost a vast number
of herbicide products
from our armoury over
the past 10 years. It was
essential that HDC
funded this project
to help us to identify
replacements
❞
Stephen McGuffie,
New Farm Produce
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 119 New residual herbicides for raspberry
Term: January 2010 to December 2012
Project leader: John Atwood, ADAS (pictured)
Industry representative: Stephen McGuffie, New
Farm Produce
Location: commercial sites in Essex and Cambridgeshire
Blackcurrants
Blackcurrant research benefits
from a united approach
Current projects
Three projects are currently
being funded, looking at
integrated management of
pests and diseases, assessing
the need for winter chill in new
varieties and controlling dead
arm caused by phomopsis.
Developing biocontrol
methods and their integration
in sustainable pest and
disease management in
blackcurrant production (Defra
This five-year
LINK project,
which began in
2010 and is led
by Michelle
Fountain at East Malling
Research (pictured) with help
from The James Hutton
Institute and Natural Resources
Institute, is focusing on botrytis,
Blackcurrant leaf midge larvae:
the relationship between midge
numbers caught in traps and
the numbers of galls that
develop is being investigated
blackcurrant leaf midge and
blackcurrant sawfly.
The work on botrytis aims to
improve our understanding of
the physiological characteristics
behind varietal differences in
disease susceptibility, the role
of pollination and its interaction
with infection, and the use of
biocontrol agents with or
without fungicides to control
infection. So far, the strength
and structure of the fruit
epidermis has been found to
differ between blackcurrant
varieties – a finding that will be
further investigated.
For blackcurrant leaf midge,
scientists are exploring the
relationship between severity of
damage on different varieties
and different plantation ages
with subsequent yield. They are
also hoping to understand the
relationship between sex
pheromone trap catches and the
numbers of galls that develop,
and are looking for better ways
of exploiting the sex pheromone
and new selective insecticides
for control.
In the early stages of the
project, sex pheromone
monitoring traps were used to
monitor midge activity.
Insecticides were applied five
and/or 15 days after control
thresholds had been reached.
Insecticides worked best
applied at the five days interval,
when females were laying eggs
in the shoot tips and the eggs
were developing and hatching.
Applications 15 days after the
threshold was reached were
found to be ineffective.
Pheromone traps need to be
used well before the start of
midge flight, probably by early
March at the latest. Further
work is needed to validate
these initial findings.
The targets for blackcurrant
sawfly are to investigate mating
behaviour, identify the sex
pheromone and to develop a
lure and trapping system. Both
male and female sex
pheromones have already been
found to share the same major
chemical component and work
continues to see if there are
any major differences between
the two that could be exploited.
An effective trap has been
developed using female sawfly
as bait.
In trials to study the effect of
❝
Current blackcurrant research, developed and
approved by grower representatives and Rob Saunders
of GSK, is very focused on the problems that businesses
like mine are facing at present
❞
pollination on fruit set,
supplementing blackcurrant
plantations with nest boxes of
the bee species Bombus
terrestris at 100% open flower
was found to increase yield and
fruit size of berries in poor
weather.
By the end of the project,
we hope to use the results of all
of this work to design integrated
pest and disease management
strategies for blackcurrants.
Ben Vane and Ben Tirran
(which is known to have a high
chilling requirement).
Two selections (9443-3 and
8962-1) needed more winter
chill than Ben Tirran so might
not be suitable for the UK if
milder winters were to become
more common. Another (92531) has performed well in trials
but appears to have a higher
than average chill requirement.
This would need to be taken
into account when considering
its suitability for release to
growers.
Blackcurrants: assessment
and ranking of new varieties
with respect to their winter
chill requirement (GSK
project 225)
As a woody
plant of
temperate
zones,
blackcurrant has
a defined need for winter chill
which varies with cultivar. If the
required winter chill is not met,
bud break is uneven leading to
variable growth, poor yields and
uneven ripening. With an
increase in mild winter weather
and changeable climatic
conditions, some cultivars may
not always receive the level of
winter chilling they need. So it’s
important to assess the chilling
response of potential new
blackcurrant cultivars to find out
how suitable they would be for
locations where the right level
of winter chill can’t be
guaranteed.
In this project led by John
Atwood of ADAS (pictured), the
chilling requirements of a range
of new numbered blackcurrant
selections with good production
potential, bred at The James
Hutton Institute, were
assessed. They were compared
to the commercial cultivars Ben
Gairn, Ben Starav, Ben Hope,
Blackcurrants: control of
Phomopsis in flailed-down
plantations (GSK project 226)
Phomopsis ‘dead arm’ or
dieback has become an
increasing problem in recent
years with plantations of Ben
Tirran, Ben Avon and Ben
Dorain particularly affected. In
severe cases, plantations as
young as five years old have
had to be grubbed.
John Atwood of ADAS is
leading this project to evaluate
the effect of biological and
fungicide treatments applied to
dormant bushes after flailing
and again during the growing
season. Depending upon the
results, the treatments will be
repeated over several seasons.
GlaxoSmithKline
HDC has an agreement with
the Blackcurrant Growers
Association (BGA) that growers’
contributions to the BGA’s
research fund are offset against
their levy assessment, so they
don’t have to pay twice.
Growers sit on the BGA’s R&D
panel, which reviews projects
and develops ideas based on
likely future needs,
commissioning work through
HDC. Results are available to
all HDC levy payers.
The BGA research is also
part funded by GlaxoSmithKline
(GSK), the programme guided
and overseen by GSK
agronomist Rob Saunders.
Several new projects are
commissioned annually.
Roger Umpelby
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 12 Blackcurrant research through the Blackcurrant
Growers Association’s ongoing programme of research
Industry representative: Tom Maynard, Windmill Hill Farm
Phomopsis dead arm: some
plantations as young as five
years old have been grubbed
Irrigation
Irrigation as a tool to manage cane vigour
❝
With our raspberry crop now grown increasingly
in containers under tunnels, we need better guidelines
on how much irrigation to apply to avoid excessive
primocane growth. So I am delighted that HDC is
funding this research
❞
Tim Chambers, WB Chambers
Correct irrigation scheduling could help growers manage cane vigour
Raspberry growers are
increasingly moving their crop
out of the soil and into soil-less
substrates under tunnels which
avoids the risk of spreading
phytophthora root rot. Because
of a lack of information on
scheduling irrigation to crop
demand, growers using this
system may be over-watering
to be ‘on the safe side’ which
leads to excessive cane vigour
and higher management costs
as a result.
The project
The amount of water a crop
uses depends on
evapotranspiration which can
be readily measured or
estimated. But an irrigation
schedule also needs to account
for the changes in water
demand as a crop matures.
So EMR researcher Mark Else
is measuring water demand
for selected floricane and
primocane raspberry varieties
through the season and the
results will be used to calculate
a ‘coefficient’ which can adjust
the irrigation schedule to
growth stage.
An alternative is to use
irrigation ‘setpoints’ based on soil
moisture content measurements.
These will be identified in the
project, too, and the effectiveness
of the two approaches at
matching water supply to crop
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 118 Irrigation scheduling of substrategrown raspberry as a tool for improving cane
management
Project leader: Mark Else, EMR (pictured)
Industry representative: John Clark, Beech Farm
Location: East Malling Research and Belks Farm, Otham, Kent
demand throughout production
will be compared.
The work is also assessing
the impact of scheduled versus
unscheduled irrigation on vigour
and subsequent management
costs, measuring the potential
water savings that can be
made, and will provide
guidelines for accurate irrigation
scheduling in substrate-grown
raspberries.
irrigation water (and fertiliser)
from the pots was largely
eliminated under these
regimes. Optimum substrate
moisture contents were also
determined for each variety.
In the study, the crop
coefficients are calculated from
leaf area measurements but for
commercial use growers would
need less time-consuming ways
of estimating this. So Else and
his colleagues are also
measuring total cane length
and total cane length plus
lateral length regularly through
the season to identify the most
accurate ‘proxy’ measure of leaf
area.
The one they choose will be
tested over a season by using
the measurements in
conjunction with estimates of
daily evapotranspiration to
adjust the volume and
frequency of irrigation to
substrate-grown Polka in
grower trials at Belks Farm,
Kent. Water and nutrient use
achieved with this test regime
will be compared with standard
industry practice.
Further work at East Malling
will test the potential of using
regulated deficit irrigation
regimes – which give the crop
slightly less than the ‘optimum’
irrigation in a precisely
managed way – to control cane
vigour in substrate-grown
Tulameen and Autumn
Treasure.
Results so far
In the project’s first year, EMR
scientists have developed
irrigation scheduling regimes
that matched water demand
with supply throughout the
season for four primocane and
five floricane varieties grown in
coir. Crop coefficients were
calculated for each variety at
two-weekly intervals so that
daily estimates of potential
evapotranspiration could be
used to guide irrigation
frequency and duration. As
expected, run-through of
Measurements by an Evaposensor monitor crop evapotranspiration
More berries picked but less water used
Current rates of water
abstraction are unsustainable in
the major strawberry growing
regions. Even though strawberry
growers already use the most
efficient of irrigation methods –
trickle and drip – they are
coming under increasing
pressure to reduce water use
without compromising
commercial yields and quality as
new legislation is introduced to
safeguard water resources.
The project
Previous research has delivered
water savings in bag production
of strawberries, without affecting
yield, flavour or shelf-life. This
project, funded by Defra and an
industry consortium including
HDC, is working on irrigation
scheduling and deficit irrigation
techniques for soil-grown
strawberries.
Results so far
A straightforward scheduling
regime that matches water
supply to crop demand and also
makes best use of fertiliser inputs
has been developed over the last
four years in field trials at EMR.
In a grower trial in 2010,
water savings of 40% were
achieved under a ‘grower test
regime’ while berry quality and
flavour were also improved. The
regime was trialled again in 2011
on four grower sites with different
soil types. Irrigation under the test
regime was triggered when soil
Sweeter berries seem to be a
benefit from using less water
matric potential (a measure of
how hard the plant has to work to
absorb moisture and is
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 83 Improving water use efficiency and fruit
quality in field-grown strawberry (Defa
Industry representative: Peter Vinson, Edward Vinson
independent of soil type) reached
pre-set levels in the rooting zone
while irrigation to the commercial
crop was applied according to the
growers’ usual practice. Plant
physiological responses and
rates of fruit expansion were
measured weekly to assess the
impact on crop development of
the two approaches.
In three out of four trials,
yields of Class 1 fruit increased
by 6-8% while 20-30% less water
was used. Taste tests carried out
at two of the grower sites
indicated that fruit from the test
regime was sweeter and had a
better flavour than fruit grown
under the grower’s usual regime.
Chemical analyses of berry
samples from the trials will find
out the effects on sugar and
organic acid levels.
Members of the project
consortium are now discussing
opportunities to roll-out the test
regime into commercial
production.
❝
When implemented
on my farm, the 'grower
test regime' saved
significant quantities of
water compared to our
conventional irrigation
regime. We were
astonished by how dry
the soil appeared and
yet the yields and fruit
quality were every bit as
good as under our own
regime
❞
Andrew Chesson,
SH Chesson Partnership
Water and feed savings bagged
Much of what we know about
how best to manage nutrition
and irrigation for strawberries
grown in soil-less substrates
has come from overseas. Until
this project, no scientific work
had ever been conducted in the
UK for the specific needs of
growers here.
The project
The work will help growers
reduce the amount of feed and
water they apply to their crops
and, by manipulating the form
of nitrogen nutrition, increase
yields and enhance the flavour
Irrigation scheduling has saved water without sacrificing Class 1 yields
and shelf-life of berries. The
economic sustainability of soilless strawberry production will
improve as a result.
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 107 Managing water, nitrogen and calcium
inputs to optimise flavour and shelf-life in
soil-less strawberry production
Industry representative: John Atwood, ADAS
Results so far
In the first two years of the
project, irrigation scheduling and
deficit irrigation regimes were
imposed on 60-day and
mainseason Elsanta and Sonata
plants. An irrigation scheduling
regime matching supply to
demand, and so eliminating runoff, has been designed using
irrigation setpoints based on
substrate moisture contents.
Although water and fertiliser
inputs were halved in 2010,
Elsanta’s yields of Class 1 fruit
were slightly lower from irrigation
scheduling than from a
commercial regime used as a
comparison.
The irrigation setpoints were
adjusted for the 2011 crop. Water
and fertiliser savings of 15% for
Elsanta and 45% for Sonata were
achieved without sacrificing any
Class 1 yield, compared to the
commercial regime where run-off
averaged 20% over the season.
Although deficit irrigation has the
potential to deliver further savings
in water and fertiliser, as well as
improvements in fruit quality, it
can be difficult to maintain the
target moisture content during hot
weather, due to the limited
substrate volumes in bags, and
so fruit size can be affected and
Class 1 yields reduced.
The potential to manipulate
the ratio of ammonium-N and
nitrate-N in the water-saving
irrigation strategy, to improve
aspects of fruit quality, is currently
being looked at in polytunnel
experiments at EMR.
❝
It is wonderful that
the HDC panel has
agreed to fund research
into nutrition and irrigation
of soil-less substrategrown strawberries. As
this production system has
been widely adopted by
the industry, the results will
surely be vital to help
growers to save water
costs whilst improving fruit
quality
❞
John Atwood, ADAS
Breeding
Maps mark the route to longer shelf-life
The rate at which raspberries
soften after harvest is one of
the main factors affecting
spoilage in the supply chain.
Breeders already select
seedlings from their crossing
programmes which offer the
right fruit firmness and shelf-life
– a task which can be speeded
up significantly by the use of a
genetic technique known as
marker-assisted breeding.
The project
project is identifying molecular
markers linked to the genes
that are involved in fruit ripening
and softening. Markers are
simple characteristics that can
be easily tested for in the
laboratory but which are linked
on the plant’s chromosomes to
complex traits such as disease
resistance, flavour or, in this
case, control of the ripening
process, which would take
breeders years to select for in
glasshouse or field trials.
The project builds on earlier
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 106 Developing breeding and selection
tools to reduce spoilage of soft fruit and
wastage in the supply chain (Defra Horticulture
LINK HL 0195)
Term: July 2009 to June 2012
Project leader: Julie Graham, The James Hutton Institute (pictured)
Industry representative: Peter Thomson, Thomas Thomson
Location: The James Hutton Institute, Dundee
Measuring fruit firmness. The
results from different clones
were used to help map the
genes with a role in softening
work at SCRI which has
produced a genetic map for
raspberry, based on the
‘genetic fingerprints’ of a
population of seedlings from
crosses between the varieties
Latham and Glen Moy.
Results so far
Fruit samples from both field
and tunnel production from the
Latham x Glen Moy offspring
have been assessed for
softness using a texture
analyser. The measurements
found significant variation
between these clones related to
fruit firmness and fruit weight.
Comparing the firmness
measurements with the plants’
genetic fingerprints has identified
16 genes with likely roles in fruit
softening and these have been
added to the genetic map. Those
implicated in cell wall breakdown
and regulation of turgor pressure
are significantly associated with
firmness scores but further
research is needed before we
can say they are definitely
responsible for regulating
softening.
The firmness and shelf-life
characteristics of fruit from 22
different clones from the
Latham x Glen Moy cross were
compared with those of both
parents and three commercial
varieties over seven days of
storage at 4ºC. Fruit from six of
the clones remained
significantly firmer than all
others during the test.
❝
The funding of this leading technology will pay
dividends for the raspberry breeding programme at
The James Hutton Institute as it will speed up the
identification of those new selections which bear
extended shelf-life characteristics
❞
Peter Thomson, Thomas Thomson
Collaboration finds a better berry
HDC’s Soft Fruit Panel is
committed to working with other
organisations to breed and bring
on new and improved strawberry
varieties. Its members believe
that the work of the EMR
Strawberry Breeding Club is vital
and must be supported to
safeguard the development of
new high quality selections which
are available to all UK growers.
❝
As we continue
in our quest to improve
the quality of strawberry
varieties, UK growers
will be pleased to know
that HDC involvement
ensures that varieties
emerging from the
EMR Strawberry
Breeding Club will be
available to all
❞
Graham Moore, FAST
varieties and to some of the
newest varieties from other
breeding programmes.
Results so far
Buddy: an everbearer with firm,
glossy fruit and outstanding flavour
The projects
HDC currently has two shares in
the breeding club (SF 96). HDC
technical manager for soft fruit
Andrew Tinsley and Soft Fruit
Panel chairman Harriet Duncalfe
represent the interests of UK
strawberry growers to ensure that
the breeding programme is
focused on the industry’s needs.
HDC also currently funds a
soil-grown mainseason
strawberry variety trial (SF 92a)
which assesses some of the
club’s best selections and
compares these to standard
In 2011, growers, marketing
groups and retailers have been
evaluating Serenity and Buddy,
the first two varieties to emerge
from the club’s breeding
programme, in advance of their
predicted release in 2012.
Serenity is a new improved
clone of the June-bearer
Florence. It has similar attributes
(multiple disease resistance, late
season, excellent flavour) but a
lighter, more attractive skin
colour. Buddy is an everbearer
with firm, glossy fruit of a regular
shape and outstanding flavour.
Preliminary trials indicate that
Buddy has some resistance to
powdery mildew and crown rot.
For the future, the club has
identified two promising June-
bearers, EM 1746 and EM 1764;
and two everbearers, EMR 470
and EMR 477, now in trials.
In the mainseason variety
trial, EM 1746 was included in
2011 along with many other
promising EMR selections and a
number of named varieties from
overseas breeding programmes.
EMR’s variety Elegance was
the top performer overall in
terms of yield, firmness and
shelf-life. The Dutch variety
Rumba was the pick of the early
selections although its shelf-life
was not quite as good as
Elsanta’s.
l The full Grower Summaries
for projects SF 92a and SF 96
can be found on HDC’s website
www.hdc.org.uk
PROJECT PROFILES
SF 92a Assessment of new strawberry varieties
and selections for commercial UK production
Term: December 2009 to November 2011
Project leader: Chris Creed, ADAS (pictured)
Industry representative: Graham Moore, FAST
Location: GF Busby & Sons, Littywood Farm, Staffordshire
SF 96 Strawberry Breeding Club
Term: June 2008 to May 2013
Project leader: Adam Whitehouse, EMR (pictured)
HDC project co-ordinator: Harriet Duncalfe,
H&H Duncalfe
Raspberries with a dark side
The black raspberry, a close
relative of red raspberries, is a
traditional crop for the USA but
production declined partly
because of a lack of disease
resistance and of genetic
variability for breeders to draw on
to improve varieties. Interest is
now on the up, however, as a
result of the black fruits’ high
anthocyanin content and activity
could give black varieties
potential as ‘pharmaceutical
crops’.
The project
Mac Black, one of four varieties
in the black raspberry trial
of antioxidant compounds which
could benefit people’s health and
❝
Given the current interest in the black raspberry,
I am pleased that HDC has funded this small variety
trial to allow growers to gain more information about
their potential for production in the UK
Tim Place, Place UK
❞
James Carew of FAST was
commissioned to trial the
varieties of black raspberry
currently used in the USA to
see if any showed promise for
the UK.
Results so far
Four varieties – Haut, Huron,
Jewel and Mac Black – were
planted in 10-litre black pots in a
Spanish tunnel. Because it took
longer than expected to obtain
PROJECT PROFILE
SF 93 Evaluation of black raspberry varieties
Term: April 2008 to December 2011
Project leader: James Carew, FAST (pictured)
Industry representative: Tim Place, Place UK
Location: Gaskains Farm, Kent
material of the right quality for the
trial, plants only came into fruit for
the first time in 2011.
The varieties are being
assessed for their habit, pest and
disease susceptibility and length
of laterals. Samples of fruit were
shown to growers at the 2011
summer fruiting raspberry variety
trial open day in Oxfordshire.
All four varieties have small
fruit compared to the raspberries
and blackberries grown in the UK.
So far, Mac Black appears to have
the best size and Brix
measurements. Full yield and
quality results will be made
available in 2012.
Breeding pins down raspberry resistance
A significant proportion of HDC’s
soft fruit budget is invested each
year in projects working to solve
the pest and disease problems
that challenge soft fruit crops –
and many growers believe this
aspect of HDC’s work is its
primary purpose. One of the
main reasons for funding
breeding programmes, however,
is to develop new varieties which
are inherently resistant to pests
and diseases, so helping
growers to cut the cost of crop
protection.
The projects
HDC part funds the Scottish
raspberry breeding programme
at The James Hutton Institute
(SF 35b), which is now able to
use new technology to help with
breeding disease resistance into
raspberry. The technology
emerged from Defra’s recent
Horticulture LINK project HL 0169,
also part funded by HDC and
managed by The James Hutton
Institute, which pinpointed
molecular markers and genes on
the raspberry genetic map which
are linked to resistance to
phytophthora root rot.
Another Horticulture LINK
project at The James Hutton
Institute which HDC part funded,
HL 0170, found molecular
markers linked to fruit quality in
raspberry, such as colour,
anthocyanin content and flavour.
This now allows the breeding
team to identify new selections
with these traits at an earlier
stage than in the past, so they
can pick out the most useful
selections more quickly.
Some of the new improved
varieties delivered by the
❝
Raspberry growers have been desperately
seeking new varieties with resistance to phytophthora for
the past two decades. The fact that HDC has contributed
to new technology which can rapidly identify varieties with
resistance is very pleasing and I expect some exciting
new selections from the programme in future
Tim Place, Place UK
❞
Tadmor: high yields and quality
programme go on to be included
in HDC’s summer fruiting
raspberry trial (SF 41c) which is
currently at Rectory Farm,
Stanton St John, Oxfordshire.
Results so far
The Scottish raspberry breeding
programme has recently
released a new variety called
Glen Ericht, which features
strong tolerance to Phytophthora
rubi. It is ideally suited to the
processing market, producing a
high yield of large firm fruit from
upright canes which are spinefree and easy to manage. The
fruit is well presented on strong
laterals, plugs easily and is ideal
for harvesting by machine. It
also carries the A10 gene which
confers resistance to the large
raspberry aphid.
A number of other promising
selections for the fresh market
have been trialled at The James
Hutton Institute, 10 of which are
now being assessed at the trial
near Oxford. These include
0019E2 (a very large-fruited late
season selection, which is
attractive with good flavour),
9764F-3 (mid-late with a very
long picking season, large fruit
and sweet flavour), 0304F6
(mid-late with large bright firm
fruits), 0433F2 (early season
with glossy conical fruit) and
0485K-1 (midseason with
outstanding conical glossy fruit).
Picking was recorded for the first
time at this site in 2011.
Two new selections from the
EMR breeding programme (the
early CO9 and late CO6) are
also included along with Korpiko
and Tadmor from New Zealand,
TulaMagic from Switzerland, and
the Canadian varieties Jeanne
D’Orleans and Chamainus.
In the first year of the trial,
Tadmor stood out for producing
very high yields of high quality
fruit with good shelf-life. However,
it’s still early days and future
results will be regularly updated
and distributed by HDC over the
next three years.
PROJECT PROFILES
SF 35b
Scottish
raspberry
breeding
programme
Project leader: Nikki Jennings,
(pictured)
Industry representative: Peter
Thomson, Thomas Thomson
Location: The James Hutton
Institute (formerly SCRI)
SF 41c
Summer
fruiting
raspberry
variety trial
Term: March 2009 to
February 2014
Project leader: Janet Allen,
ADAS (pictured)
Tim Place
Location: Rectory Farm,
Stanton St John, Oxon
l The full Grower Summaries
for projects SF 35b and 41c
can be found on HDC’s website
www.hdc.org.uk
Communications
Keeping you informed in 2011
Apart from producing this review
magazine, HDC undertakes a
whole range of activities to
ensure that the industry is made
fully aware of new research
results as they become
available, along with best
practice information drawn up as
a result of HDC projects or
issued by other industry
organisations.
Park
Stoneleigh
Kenilworth
ire CV8 2TL
Warwicksh
2051
T: 0247 669 rg.uk
ure
Horticult
ent
Developm
Company
01/11
Factsheet
it
& Tree Fru
Soft Fruit
Factsheet
07/11
Cane frui
t
)
hila suzukii
ila (Drosop
de the UK
ng drosoph
atens to inva
Spotted wi
which thre
stone fruit
A pest of
ripening soft
Beetle an
d weevil pe
sts of
in
likely to arrive
on
which is
East
fruit crops
oping fruits to
Fountain,
s pest of
and devel
d
Dr Michelle
tially seriou
s both ripe the pest had sprea
high.
try to a poten drosophila attack
2010
in 2009. By UK is therefore very
d wing
the fruit indus
and Italy
the spotte
the
eet alerts
rance in
ica in 2008
ic to Asia,
This factsh
2011. Endem uced into North Amer tial for rapid appea
the UK in
poten
It was introd and France. The
the plant.
t
Russia, Spain
Canada,
are distinc
the males
not able to
However,
hila
fruit flies are fruit.
wing drosop
and other
, spotted
e
intact, unripe
Superficially phila suzukii (Figur
lay eggs in
(SWD), Droso its fruit fly relative.
like
1a), looks
© Defra
beetle adult
with black
bands on
en, and bright
the abdom
Electronic
communications
HDC News magazine
Every week we send an email to
growers and other HDC levy
payers with details of newly
available research reports,
SOLAs that have been delivered
to the industry, events that are
taking place and new
publications that we have
produced. It keeps growers
up-to-date with projects that are
currently being funded and
which will benefit their
businesses.
All Grower Summaries from
research reports, publication
order forms, factsheets, industry
reports, HDC events, meeting
dates and panel minutes are
posted on the HDC website
which is available at www.hdc.
org.uk.
l If you don’t receive the email
or don’t have access to the
website, contact HDC
communications administrator
Louise Arculus on 0247 647
8661.
We publish 10 copies of HDC
News each year. It is now widely
regarded as the leading source of
technical information in the
industry, bringing you news of
new and current projects,
pesticide updates, conference
reports and features on how to
use the research results to
improve your business.
l If you don’t receive your copy
of HDC News, please contact
HDC on 0247 647 8661.
Other communications
activities in 2011
In the past year, we have
produced and distributed a range
of publications and attended and
organised various events:
Soft fruit agronomists’
handbook 2011
Distributed to agronomists and
consultants in the UK, the
handbook outlines HDC’s current
portfolio of work and the most
Strawberry analysis chart – optimum ranges
Water mineral analysis
Recommended ranges –
Soil grown strawberry crops
900
• When the EC of the source water is high it is difficult to add sufficient fertiliser
to produce a satisfactory feed without an excessively high EC
Parameter
240
• High levels are often associated with high pHs which can in turn lead to low availability
of Fe and P and formation of insoluble precipitates which block drippers
• Higher levels can be allowed but the amount of acid required to reduce the
level to the recommended 50 mg/L can lead to nutrient imbalances
% of dry matter
Maximum Notes
50
Ammonium (NH4) N, mg/L
21
Potassium (K), mg/L
Phosphorous (P), mg/L
Calcium (Ca), mg/L
Magnesium (Mg), mg/L
-
• High levels can cause excessive growth particularly where further N has to be added for acidification
• Higher levels can occur in feed solutions for substrate crops particularly
for everbearer varieties with a higher N requirement
• Excess levels limit Ca uptake and affect fruit firmness and colour
• Excessively high levels are unlikely to be encountered
35-72
• Substrate grown crops are most susceptible
• Excess causes scorch of petioles and sepals and yield reduction at higher levels
Chloride (Cl), mg/L
52-140
• Higher levels (towards the upper limits) acceptable for soil grown crops on trickle irrigation
• Excess causes damage to roots and yield reduction but level
depends on climate, substrate and plant type
Boron (B), mg/L
0.22-0.33
1.0
1.5-2.0
0.15-0.20
<45
45-250
27.0
0.35
• Some authorities suggest a higher limit - up to 1.3 can be allowed for substrate crops
• At very high levels, leaf toxicity symptoms can be seen
Copper (Cu), mg/L
0.5
• General recommendation, not specific to strawberries
Molybdenum (Mo), mg/L
0.1
Aluminium (Al), mg/L
2.0
Fluoride (Fl), mg/L
1.0
22.0
• Excess causes albino fruits and reduced yield
<10
>50
• Deficiencies cause pale green leaves with narrow concave
blades – some authorities also report poorer flavoured fruit
• Excess causes leaf scorch and reduces Fe uptake
<15
20-40
>40
• Deficiency causes yellowed leaves and small malformed fruit
• Excess causes leaf burn and in extreme cases sepal and calyx scorch
<20
30-100
>100
• Deficiency causes interveinal leaf yellowing,
more diffuse than with Fe deficiency
• Deficiency can be due to poor root growth or high pH
Copper (Cu)
<5
7-15
>15
• Deficiency causes yellowed leaves, shoot die-back and small fruit
Leaf analysis
Phosphorous (P)
Parameter
Range
Notes
Electrical Conductivity (EC) (uS,
20oC)
660-1100
• Indicated range refers to substrate EC when reported by laboratory analysis, not the EC
of the feed solution within the substrate as measured by portable probes such as the
WET sensor. The latter will give a higher reading equivalent to the run-off solution
• High conductivities reduce water uptake and increase fruit firmess and flavour but
can reduce yields and in extreme cases cause marginal scorch to the foliage
• Excessive ECs can be reduced by flushing with Calcium nitrate solution (for excess NaCl) or plain water
31-92
<3.3
65-129
7-20
• Deficiency causes small, yellow or reddish leaves and poor growth
• High levels can cause excessive growth
• Deficiency causes poorer flavoured fruit and brown leaf margins
• Excess levels limit Ca uptake and affects fruit firmness and colour
• Deficiency causes small pale leaves, small fruit and lower yields
Calcium (Ca), mg/L
53-110
• Deficiency causes tip-burn on the young leaves and soft fruit
particularly when associated with high K or Mg levels
• Excessive calcium is not normally a problem
13-26
• Deficiency causes interveinal reddening of older leaves
• Excessive magnesium is not normally a problem but could reduce K uptake
Sodium (Na), mg/L
Chloride (Cl), mg/L
Boron (B), mg/L
Iron (Fe), mg/L
<51
<77
0.12-0.19
• Deficiencies cause pale green leaves with narrow concave blades
– some authorities also report poorer flavoured fruit
Copper (Cu), mg/L
0.02-0.04
<0.02
• Deficiency or excess symptoms are not normally seen in substrate strawberries
% of dry matter
2.0 -3.5
Toxicity
Sodium (Na)
>0.1-0.3
Chloride (Cl)
>0.5
• Substrate grown crops are most susceptible
• Excess causes scorch of petioles and sepals
and yield reduction at higher levels
• Reduce by flushing with Calcium nitrate solution
• Excess causes damage to roots and yield reduction but
level depends on climate, substrate and plant type
• Reduce by flushing with Calcium nitrate solution
Iron (Fe)
<45
50-200
>350
Zinc (Zn)
<20
20-65
>120
• Deficiencies cause pale green leaves with narrow concave
blades – some authorities also report poorer flavoured fruit
Boron (B)
Manganese (Mn)
Copper (Cu)
Normal ranges for substrate
production of strawberries
Molybdenum (Mo)
Feed analysis
Notes
0.3-0.6
1.5-3.0
0.3-0.5
1.0-2.0
<30
30-50
>65
<20
50-250
>250
• Deficiency causes interveinal leaf yellowing,
more diffuse than with Fe deficiency
• Deficiency can be due to poor root growth or high pH
• Excess symptoms are not normally seen in substrate strawberries
<2
5-20
>25
<0.3
0.5
• Deficiency or excess symptoms are not normally
seen in substrate strawberries
Parameter
Electrical
(uS, 20oC)
Conductivity
Feed analysis
Recommended nutrient ratios for
substrate production of strawberries
Parameter
Range
Notes
Ammonium (NH4) N
as % of Total N
5 – 20 %
• During flowering and fruiting the % ammonium N should be restricted as
it can reduce Ca uptake and affect fruit firmness and colour
• Higher levels can be allowed in feed solutions for everbearer varieties with a high N requirement
Potassium (K) :
Calcium (Ca) ratio
0.35 –1.9
• Lower K:Ca ratios are recommended during the vegetative phase and higher during fruiting
• Variety requirements vary – some require higher K for fruit flavour
Note: Guideline ranges from Lieten (2003) for peat, based on 1:1.5 extraction method, increased by 10% to take account of the 1:5 extraction method used in UK laboratories.
Whilst publications issued under the auspices of the HDC are prepared from the best available information, neither the authors or the HDC can accept any responsibility for inaccuracy or liability for loss, damage or injury from the application of any concept or procedure discussed.
©2011. Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the Horticultural Development Company.
Range
1000-2000
Notes
• High conductivities reduce water uptake and improve fruit firmness and flavour but
can reduce yields and in extreme cases cause marginal scorch to the foliage
• Excessive ECs can be reduced by flushing with Calcium nitrate solution or plain water
Bicarbonate Hardness, mg/L
50-150
• Levels below 50 mg/L can result in excessive acidity
• High levels are often associated with high pHs which can in turn lead to low availability
of Fe and P and formation of insoluble precipitates which block drippers
• Excessive bicarbonate hardness can be reduced by the addition
of acids such as nitric, phosphoric or sulphuric
• Small reductions in hardness can also be achieved by the use of acidifying
fertilisers such as urea phosphate or fertilisers containing ammonium N
Nitrate (NO3) N, mg/L
110-140
Potassium (K), mg/L
Calcium (Ca), mg/L
Boron (B), mg/L
• To reduce excess salts flush through with Calcium nitrate solution
• Deficiency causes interveinal leaf yellowing, more diffuse than with Fe deficiency
Range
Satisfactory
<1.5
<0.2
<1.5
<0.2
<0.8
• Deficiency causes interveinal yellowed young leaves, in extreme cases completely bleached,
but symptoms more often caused by poor root uptake than low levels in substrate
0.24-0.48
0.72 -1.07
Deficiency
Magnesium (Mg)
Calcium (Ca)
• To reduce excess salts flush through with Calcium nitrate solution
0.62 -1.54
Manganese (Mn), mg/L
Zinc (Zn), mg/L
mg/kg of dry matter
Normal ranges for substrate
production of strawberries
15-30
Recommended ranges –
Substrate grown strawberry crops
Nitrogen (N)
• Deficiency causes interveinal yellowed young leaves
– in extreme cases completely bleached
• Deficiency can be due to poor root growth, waterlogging, or high pH
• To correct, improve drainage, moderate irrigation,
consider using Iron EDTA sprays
• Excess symptoms are not normally seen
Zinc (Zn)
Manganese (Mn)
Potassium (K)
Potassium (K), mg/L
Boron (B)
Parameter
Substrate analysis
Notes
0.25-0.30
<0.15
• Some authorities suggest <0.22 for substrate crops
Toxicity
2.6-3.0
<0.2
<1.5
Magnesium (Mg)
Iron (Fe)
• High levels of iron in source water can lead to oxides forming which will block drippers
• Feed solutions for substrate crops use iron chelates and can have higher levels (<1.7)
Zinc (Zn), mg/L
Silicon (Si), mg/L
Range
Satisfactory
<1.5
Phosphorous (P)
Potassium (K)
Sodium (Na), mg/L
Iron (Fe), mg/L
Deficiency
Nitrogen (N)
mg/kg of dry matter
Horticulture
Development
Company
Leaf analysis
Suitability of water sources for
use in irrigation of strawberries
Parameter
Iron (Fe), mg/L
7-14
140-250
31-46
140-180
30-40
0.11-0.17
1.1-1.7
0.55-1.11
Zinc (Zn), mg/L
0.46-0.65
• Some authorities advise zero NH4 N during fruiting
• Higher levels can be allowed in feed solutions for certain everbearer varieties
• Deficiency causes interveinal yellowed young leaves, in extreme cases completely bleached
• Deficiency can be due to poor root growth, waterlogging, or high pH
• To correct, improve drainage, moderate irrigation, consider using Iron
EDDHA instead of EDTA if the pH cannot be reduced easily
• Excess symptoms are not normally seen
• Deficiency causes interveinal leaf yellowing, more diffuse than with Fe deficiency
• Deficiency can be due to poor root growth or high pH.
• Deficiencies cause pale green leaves with narrow concave blades
– some authorities also report poorer flavoured fruit
Copper (Cu), mg/L
0.03
0.05
• Deficiency or excess symptoms are not normally seen in substrate strawberries
Written and compiled by John Atwood, ADAS
A new wallchart helps strawberry growers interpret analysis results
The value
and
raspberries, demand for
blackberries
other cane
fruits in the and
increased
UK has
markedly
in recent
A high propo
rtion of raspbe years.
and blackb
rries
erries are
sold
major multip
le retailers, through
demand a
who
supply of
high quality
fruit over
an extend
ed season.
The majori
ty
sale via the of crops destined for
multiples
are now grown
under protec
tion for at
the majori
ty of each least part or
growing seaso
Protected
cropping
n.
can provid
environment
e an
and weevi suited to some beetle
l pests but
can
pose difficu
lties in their also
control.
With increa
sing pressu
customers
re from
to
conventiona reduce the use of
l
the presen pesticides and avoid
ce
growers need of detectable residu
es,
to adopt
methods
where possib novel control
factsheet
le. This
aims
ability to recognto improve growe
rs’
pests, monito ise beetle and weevi
l
better under r for their presence
and
stand the
other contro
integrated
and
l methods
available.
red eyes.
ed weevil
Electrical Conductivity
(EC) (uS, 20oC)
rry flower
© Washingto
sh-yellow
2 Clay colour
Bicarbonate Hardness, mg/L
in raspbe
n State University
1 Raspberry
long, browni
cane fruit
crops
Introductio
n
n
Identificatio
2.5-3.0 mm
Stoneleigh
Park
Kenilworth
Warwicksh
ire
T: 0247 669 CV8 2TL
2051
hdb.org.uk
Nick Birch
and Stuart
Gordon, James
Hutton Institu
te and Janet
This factsh
Allen, ADAS
eet provid
and weevi
es growe
rs
ls
raspberry to cane fruit crops with key information
. It offers
beetle (Figur
about the
guidance
(soldier)
biology of,
beetle, cockc e 1), vine weevi
on asses
and the dama
l, clay
sing their
hafer and
wireworm coloured weevil (Figur impact and contro ge caused by,
beetles
(click beetle
l. It
e 2), straw
).
berry bloss deals primarily with
om weevi
l, cantharid
and
rch
Malling Resea
1a Adult:
Horticult
ure
Developm
ent
Company
adult
recent results which informs their
advice to growers.
Factsheets
Factsheet 01/11 Spotted wing
drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)
Factsheet 06/11 Raspberry
variety trials – summer fruiting
selections at The James Hutton
Institute in 2010
Factsheet 07/11 Beetle and
weevil pests of cane fruit crops
Factsheet 13/11 Pesticide
residue reduction in commercial
raspberry crops
Factsheet 17/11 HDC
mainseason strawberry variety
trials
Factsheet 20/11 Winter
protection of soilless substrate
grown strawberries
East Malling Strawberry
Breeding Club: a walk to view
and sample the fruit of new
varieties
HDC Summer Fruiting
Raspberry Trials: a walk to
assess new varieties in the trials
at Stanley & Pickford, Oxfordshire
Fruit Focus: we exhibited new
varieties from the Strawberry
Breeding Club
National Fruit Show: our stand
was a meeting point for growers
EMRA/HDC Soft Fruit Day: this
event was organised to
showcase all HDC’s current soft
fruit projects.
We also submitted a number
of articles to the press and
produced press releases to
promote the release of new
SOLAs and key research results.
Wallchart
Strawberry analysis chart –
optimum ranges
Contacting HDC
and communications manager
Scott Raffle.
Andrew’s task is to work with
the industry to develop the
correct research projects for your
needs and to liaise with scientific
contractors who undertake the
work on your behalf.
Scott’s task is to co-ordinate
the dissemination of the
information. They are supported
by a technical administrator and a
communications administrator.
Their contact details are:
Andrew Tinsley
(Technical
manager)
Tel: 01732
897472
[email protected]
Helen Williams
(Technical
administrator)
Tel: 0247 647
8662
[email protected]
Scott Raffle
(Communications
manager)
Tel: 01732
897473
[email protected]
Louise Arculus
(Communications
administrator)
Tel: 0247 647
8661
[email protected]
Events
Soft fruit growers are
currently served by technical
manager Andrew Tinsley
Soft Fruit Agronomists’ Day: to
brief agronomists of the portfolio
of work currently being funded by
HDC along with the most
important results
HDC Mainseason Strawberry
Variety Trials: a walk to assess
new varieties in the trials at GF
Busby & Sons, Staffordshire
Strawberry Water LINK (project
SF 83): demonstrations of watersaving regimes at SH Chesson
Partnership and New Farm
Produce
Open days allow growers to assess varieties in HDC-funded trials

Soft Fruit review 2012

Transcription

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