Co-Free: Innovative strategies for copper-free low input and organic farming systems. Leaflet to summarise aims and proposed activities at the start of project.
Organic apple production is very reliant on a few essential plant protection agents allowed in organic farming. The loss of one of these products by registration problems can create enormous problems as seen in the case of the use of copper compounds. It is possible that resistance problems may be the long-term consequence of this dependency. The reduction of this dependency on those pesticides permitted in organic farming is a very important step for the long-term sustainability of organic fruit growing systems.
Thus, there is urgent need for cultivars of low susceptibility, for cropping systems of high resilience, and for optimized ecological support functions that enhance biological control in limiting pests and diseases.