ARS | Publication request: ORGANIC TECHNIQUES TO CONTROL DISEASE DAMAGE AND IMPROVE FRUIT QUALITY IN APPLES USING SURROUND CROP PROTECTANT

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2003
Publication Date: November 4, 2003
Citation: GLENN, D.M., GUNDRUM, P.G., PUTERKA, G.J. ORGANIC TECHNIQUES TO CONTROL DISEASE DAMAGE AND IMPROVE FRUIT QUALITY IN APPLES USING SURROUND CROP PROTECTANT. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY. 2003.

Technical Abstract: Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of a new crop protectant, Surround WP, that is made from processed kaolin-based alone and together with sulfur (S) and lime-sulfur (LS) on the incidence of insects and diseases in apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). Greenhouse studies demonstrated that either S (0.5%) or LS (0.5%) alone or in combination effectively controlled apple scab and the addition of processed kaolin (6%) did not interfere with the efficacy of the sulfur minerals. Based on these experiments, field studies evaluated the effect of Surround WP and S + LS, alone and in combination, in comparison to an untreated control and conventional pesticide control. Powder mildew [Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. & Ev.) E.S. Salmon (anamorph Oidium farinosum Cooke)] russeting on fruit and apple scab [Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Wint. (anamorph Spilocaea pomi Fr.)] were suppressed by the sulfur minerals alone or in combination with kaolin. Codling moth [Cydia pomonella (L.)] and plum curculio [Conotrachelus nenuphar (Hbst)] were most effectively suppressed by the kaolin and combination of sulfur minerals treatment. San Jose scale [Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock)] damage was increased by Surround WP alone and moderately suppressed by Surround WP and S + LS. The combination of kaolin with sulfur minerals provided disease and insect control equivalent to the use of conventional fungicides and insecticides except for the control of San Jose scale.