Comparison of organic apricot cultivation under different cultivation systems (original) (raw)
Boutry, Clémence; Baumgartner, Fabian; Häseli, Andreas; Mouchet, Jean-Charles and Friedli, Michael (2026) Comparison of organic apricot cultivation under different cultivation systems. In: Fördergemeinschaft Ökologicher Obstbau e.V. (FOEKO) (Ed.)Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Organic Fruit-Gowing, 2026, February 23-25. Filderstadt, Germany, pp. 245-250.
Document available online at: https://www.ecofruit.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/9STF1_Boutry-RevPaper-apricot-weather-protection.pdf
Summary
Over six years (2020–2025) organic apricot cultivation under three cultivation systems (open field, seasonal rain cover, tunnel) was compared and frost damage, pest and disease occurrence, yield and fruit quality assessed. The rain covers (seasonal rain cover, tunnel) significantly reduced blossom monilia infections, especially in susceptible varieties such as Samouraï, Orangerubis and Lilly Cot. The cover also offers protection against Pseudomonas, although the differences only become apparent several years after planting (six and more). The advantages of a year-round cover (tunnels) were even more significant than those of the seasonal cover due to the more comprehensive protection against diseases (Monilinia spp. and Pseudomonas spp.) and better options for frost prevention. One disadvantage of growing apricots under tunnel is the increased risk of infections with powdery mildew. Overall, organic apricot cultivation in tunnels can be a profitable solution for direct selling farms thanks to higher yields and better quality.
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