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peer-reviewed research article

In Contra Costa County study, insect damage limits yield, profits of organic apples

authors

Janet Caprile, Contra Costa County
Karen M. Klonsky, Department of Agricultural Economics, UC Davis
Nick Mills, UC Berkeley
Sandra McDougall, UC Berkeley
Warren C. Micke, Department of Pomology, UC Davis
Bob Van Steenwyk, Entomology Department, UC Berkeley.

publication information

California Agriculture 48(6):21-28. DOI: 10.3733/ca.v048n06p21. November-December 1994.

abstract

Codling moth and rosy apple aphid limited production and profitability in the organic Granny Smith apple production system in the northern San Joaquin Valley. Over the course of this 4-year study, organic techniques were developed to control codling moth, but not rosy apple aphid, which is an occasional pest. Fertility was easily maintained in the organic system with leguminous cover crops, which also served as a habitat for insects beneficial to apple production.

author affiliations

J. Caprile is Farm Advisor, Contra Costa County; K. Klonsky is Extension Economic Advisor, Department of Agricultural Economics, UC Davis; N. Mills is Assistant Professor, Division of Biological Control, UC Berkeley; S. McDougall is a graduate student, Division of Biological Control, UC Berkeley; W. Micke is Extension Pomologist, Department of Pomology, UC Davis; B. Van Steenwyk is Extension Entomologist, Entomology Department, UC Berkeley.

author notes

The authors would like to thank Nana Simone, Sean Feder and Mike Wanless for technical assistance; Greg House and Dago Oseguera of Diablo Green Orchards for their cooperation and assistance in all phases of this study; and Abbott Laboratories and Consep Membranes, Inc. for providing product, funding and technical support, which contributed to this study.

This study was funded in 1990 and 1991 by the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and in 1993 by the USDA/EPA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education/Agriculture in Concert with the Environment Programs.


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