Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ic pesticides for conventional materials. Little else in the orchards changed,
and as you might predict, the results were not often great. The substitution
approach alone failed to recognize that farms were miniature, yet highly
complex, ecosystems. Focusing only on controlling codling moth, for example,
can kill off predatory insects and mites that normally keep mites or aphids
under control. Suddenly, you have many serious pests instead of one as nat-
ural control systems in the orchard are disrupted.
Another example of creating problems is overusing sulfur as a fungicide
to control fruit diseases. While sulfur can effectively control some diseases,
it is toxic to insects and mites. Again, overuse or use at the wrong time can
disrupt natural controls and create serious pest problems.
One of the greatest challenges in organic fruit production is weed man-
agement. With very few herbicides available to organic orchardists, extens-
ive cultivation became the rule for many growers. In one fruit growers' guide
from the 1980s, the author recommended rototilling at least 12 times each
growing season. In this case also, the results were predictable. Soil erosion
and compaction increased. Soil organic matter declined, as did populations
of beneficial micro- and macroorganisms. Tree health and fruit yields also
declined.
Looking at the Entire Farm Ecosystem
To successfully grow tree fruits using organic methods, you must have an
entirely different viewpoint and approach than do commercial growers who
rely on industrial fertilizers and pesticides. Instead of focusing on one prac-
tice or problem at a time, you must consider the entire farm ecosystem and
how everything in that system interacts.
For example, in place of tillage I might choose to plant a permanent crop
of grass in the alleys between the trees and apply bark mulch around the
trees in the rows. In this case, annual weeds become less troublesome, but
perennial quack grass and thistles flourish under the mulch. With the grass
competing for nutrients, the trees grow poorly and produce reduced yields of
small, poor-quality fruit. Being weakened, the trees become more susceptible
