Apple growers from across Northern Ireland recently participated in an orchard walk, organised by CAFRE and hosted by AFBI Loughgall, where results from current trial works were also presented.
Using Loughgall weather data, Mr Graeme Cross (CAFRE) explained how the recent humid conditions had helped to promote the apple scab disease even where a robust spray control had been carried out. Mr Cross outlined the factors causing the late scab i
nfection and advised the growers on the most effective spray programme for the rest of the summer to minimise the effects of the disease.
At the Greenmount Millennium Orchard, where different rootstocks and planting densities are being commercially investigated in a replicated trial, Mr Crosse discussed various aspects of summer growth control and it was generally agreed that the wide spread adoption of Regalis for growth control in Bramley (as pioneered at Loughgall) had generated significant savings for the industry.
The orchard walk continued to the new high intensity orchard which uses a trellis system for supporting the trees rather than individual posts.
This experiment was planted by the industry to commercially evaluate the 'Bulmers system'. Trellis orchards, whilst common on the continent, are new to N Ireland and the Loughgall orchard is the first such experimental planting for Bramley's.
The trial will follow the normal experimental protocol where AFBI (Seán Mac an tSaoir) will manage the trees and generate the scientific data and CAFRE (Graeme Cross) will use this data to provide growers with useful information regarding the management of the system as well as the economic benefits that it might bring.
As with all current Loughgall experiments, one replicate of the trial has been established at Kildalton in Co Kilkenny by Teagasc to facilitate technology transfer for southern growers.
Chairman of the Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association, John Beggs commented on the usefulness of the open day to the Bramley Apple industry: "Geographically, apple growing is concentrated in a small area of Northern Ireland and the advantage of having a local research centre for the industry is of the utmost importance. At this Open Day, we were able to seek out solutions for current problems with apple scab as well as look at the possible future of apple production with the trellis system. The research team at Loughgall offers properly constructed experiments that provide meaningful data on which sound business decisions can be made.
"Since the Bramley Apple industry receives only a small amount of support from the EU under its Single Farm Payments, it is even more important that growers continue to have the research and technology transfer facilities at Loughgall available in order to maintain a strong and viable sector into the future."
