A Taste of the Maritimes: Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) Mid-Summer Apple Tour 2007 - Wolfville, Nova Scotia

The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) mid-summer apple meeting/tour brings together government representatives, consultants, researchers and growers from across the country to discuss a variety of issues relating to the apple industry including Integrated Fruit Production, on-farm food safety, competitiveness, and trade. Following a one day meeting, the group toured local orchards in the area and discussed pest management, and fruit production. This year I had the opportunity to attend this tour in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Below are some of the highlights of the trip. 

Altacor tour

DuPont Canada is conducting trials in apple orchards across Canada with Altacor (rynaxapyr) a new reduced risk insecticide. Trials in Nova Scotia focused on evaluating the efficacy of Altacor in managing 1^st generation codling moth. In Ontario, trials were conducted evaluating the efficacy of this product in managing obliquebanded leafroller. The data presented from both provinces at this tour, suggest that this product is an excellent control product for codling moth and obliquebanded leafroller. 

CHC summer tour

The tour was initiated at the Atlantic Food and Horticultural Research Centre (AAFC) in Kentville, NS. 

Dr Gordon Braun (AAFC) conducted a fungicide trial for apple scab comparing the effectiveness of copper sulphate, lime sulphur, kumulus DF and hydrated lime applied during a prolonged wetting period. The results showed copper exhibited slightly better performance than the other products, however, the results were not statistically significant. 

Dr. Julia Reekie (AAFC) is evaluating the use of reflective mulch in an organic Liberty apple orchard. The reflective mulch was installed on August 3, 2006 and apples were harvested 8 weeks later, and the colour of the apples was assessed. The results of the trial found that the treatment with the reflective mulch had 90% red apples and 10% green, while the treatment without reflective mulch had 75% red apples and 25% green. In 2007, the reflective mulch was installed earlier in the season (May 7, 2007) and data is being collected to evaluate the effect of the treatment on photosynthesis, tree growth and leaf morphology and fruit yield. 

Dr. Mike Hardman is evaluating the impact of the size of herbicide strip on the mite complex in apple orchards. Dr. Hardman has found that orchards with wide herbicide strips have more problems with two spotted spider mites (TSSM) then orchards with narrow herbicide strips. Research showed that there was a 60% higher ratio of TSSM eggs to adults in orchards with wide herbicide strips as compared to orchards with narrow herbicide strips. 

The Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association has initiated a trial evaluating Cocoflex and Flexterra mulches for their commercial value in preventing weed growth and enhancing the growing conditions below the drip line in commercial apple orchards. The results suggest that these products are promising for weed control. These products are made from all natural fibers and organic based polymers. 

The tour visited Jerry van Oostrum, an apple grower in Canard. Jerry has reduced the size of his herbicide width and as a result has been significantly reducing the volume of herbicide applied on his farm without impacting his crop. 

The tour also included a visit to a sweet cherry orchard that has been covered by tunnels. The goal of the tunnels is to prevent bird damage and to reduce pre-harvest splitting. The tunnels appear to be very effective. 

The number of wineries in Nova Scotia has been increasing over the past few years, as growers have realized that they are able to produce a good crop of grapes. The tour visited Gaspereau vineyard, which produces several unique wines including L'Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc and New York Muscat.