Crop Module: Fruit (bush)
Contents
1. SRA Red Tractor Ay 18 Assurance for Farms O amp S SO Fresh Produce Scheme 8 Red Tractor Assurance Effective 15 September 2015 Red Tractor 2 Assurance for Farms amp Fresh Produce Scheme Welcome written to complement and avoid duplicating the generic principles of the Red Tractor Farm Assurance Fresh Produce Scheme standards It is advisable to read the Red Tractor Farm Assurance Fresh Produce standards before reading this crop specific module This module is designed to stimulate thought in the mind of the reader It contains crop specific guidance and standards where applicable in addition to the requirements stated in the generic Fresh Produce standards IE crop specific module for bush fruit has been Within this module the important requirements outlined in the crop specific standards section will be verified during the Red Tractor Farm Assurance assessment and compliance will form a part of the certification approval decision Disclaimer and trade mark acknowledgement Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy Assured Food Standards does not accept any responsibility for errors and omissions Trade names are only used in this module where use of that specific product is essential All such products are annotated and all trademark rights are hereby acknowledged Notes Pesticide Information The Red Tractor Fresh Produce team has been working with Fera to provide tail2. collection point and removed from the field within 45 minutes of picking During very hot weather harvesting warm fruit into large containers traps the field heat very significantly reducing shelf life and making rapid freezing impossible These problems may be alleviated by avoiding harvesting in the heat of the day Alicyclobacillus species ACB are a heat and acid tolerant spore forming bacteria that are thought to be a significant cause of fruit and juice spoilage giving rise to off flavours ACB is not known to pose a safety hazard but it is logical to apply HACCP principles to minimising its occurrence ACB is found in most soil types throughout the world Growers should take all reasonable steps to reduce soil contamination and where possible avoid harvesting fruit that has been growing close to the ground or subject to soil splash Post harvest transportation and storage procedures should be managed so that fruit and containers do not become contaminated with soil or dust It should be assumed that all water can contain ACB and some water sources such as condensate water from evaporators represent a particular risk as evaporators can provide conditions that promote ACB growth and spore formation Those responsible for container washing should take steps to verify the microbiological suitability of the water being used so that washed containers do not in themselves become a source of ACB contamination RESIDUES AN
3. exposure of the site to prevailing winds susceptibility to spring frosts incidence of perennial weeds and proximity of other bush fruit plantations with existing levels of pests and disease ROTATIONS Previous cropping Previous cropping and incidence of perennial weeds should be considered when siting new plantations Where grass or blackcurrants have been grown previously a nematode test should be undertaken to assess populations of free living root feeding nematode species e g Pratylenchus that can cause growth stunting Avoid planting blackcurrants where vine weevil populations have been found in any previous crop A break crop can substantially reduce numbers and will allow a far better establishment Where Armillaria has been known to exist then blackcurrants should not be planted until 10 years after the last known host crop has been removed Rotations Ideally blackcurrant crops should be rotated In practice with the problems of gall mite and the reduction in the life of plantations this is proving more difficult to accommodate If a plantation has to be replanted then there should be a minimum break of one year at least to give an opportunity to control perennial weeds or regrowth of old roots and debris Soil sterilisation Soil sterilisation is not practised in the commercial production of blackcurrants as crop rotation is cheaper easier and more efficient Site selection plays a far more important role in con
4. Avenue Ingliston Edinburgh EH28 8NF Tel 0131 335 6605 Email redtractorfasfqc co uk Web www sfqc co uk e kiwa Partner for progress Kiwa PAI The Inspire Hornbeam Square West Harrogate North Yorkshire HG2 8PA Tel 01423 878878 Email paienquiriesfakiwa co uk Web www kiwa co uk pai Fa NIFCC Northern Ireland Lissue House 31 Ballinderry Rd Lisburn Northern Ireland BT28 2SL Tel 028 9263 3017 Email infofanifcc co uk Web www nifcc co uk FY SAI GLOBAL ASSURANCE SERVICES SAI Global Assurance Services Ltd PO Box 6236 Milton Keynes MK1 9ES Tel 01908 249973 Email agrifoodfasaiglobal com Web www saiglobal com assurance 4 QWFC Wales PO Box 8 Gorseland North Road Aberystwyth SY23 2WB Tel 01970 636688 Email infofawlbp co uk Web www wlbp co uk T 01932 589 800 E producefaredtractor org uk www redtractorassurance org uk
5. D CONTAMINANTS Red Tractor Farm Assurance Fresh Produce is aware that a key area in the production of fresh produce which requires continued attention by growers and their advisers is that of keeping pesticide residues to a minimum This issue is not just one of meeting the MRL trading standard but ensuring that any individual or multi residues are kept as low as possible below this level The key targets are Optimising late applications of fungicides and insecticides to the edible part of the crop Optimising the use of post harvest treatments m Ensuring minimum harvest intervals are followed m Ensuring that application equipment is applying products correctly See Appendix for the pesticide targets and guidelines on this crop APPENDIX 1 TYPICAL FERTILISER APPLICATIONS FOR BLACKCURRANTS KG HA Nutrient kg ha Soil Index 0 1 2 3 3 pemn EE e e e TE Base dressings of macronutrients should be made prior to planting Well rotted bulky organic manures can be applied and incorporated to improve soil structure of all soil types and improve the water holding capacity of light soils However bear in mind that these manures contain nutrients and fertiliser applications should be reduced according to the following table for each tonne or cubic metre of material applied N P O K O Mg Undiluted slurry kg m Poultry Layer manure Note Adjust the values if diluted For full details of all fertili
6. aves inspected during fruit development 2 Promoting crop health by reducing stress through good irrigation scheduling whilst optimising nutrient availability through soil analysis and leaf where necessary and the appropriate and accurate application of fertiliser Corrective action Where the above have failed adopt the following approach a Regular monitoring is important to identify problems in their early stages which are then more capable of being controlled The effect of prevailing weather conditions should also be considered b Where corrective action is required biological and natural methods of pest and disease control if available must be considered Where thresholds have been established then these should be referred to c Where biological or natural control is not possible chemical control if available should be used whilst always considering the following m Use the least toxic and persistent product with due respect to its ecotoxicity m Use the most selective product to biological control agents and naturally occurring beneficial organisms such as bees and other pollinating insects m Use appropriate application methods with effectively maintained equipment and spot treating wherever possible Cultural control i Site selection Powdery mildew Botrytis and leaf spot are the principal diseases that affect blackcurrants Site selection has limited effect on these diseases however it is unwise
7. control has not been widely taken up due to the historical reliance upon broad spectrum insecticides for certain key pests and more recently the use of lambda cyhalothrin for leaf midge Chemicals such as these are harmful to most beneficial insects and leaf residues can last for some time However with the increasing use of sulphur products to control gall mite and the adoption of new varieties resistant to this pest the use of biocontrol is now likely to have more potential Some success has been achieved locally using the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis to control two spotted spider mites Results in general have been variable due to fluctuating weather patterns Naturally occurring predators include Amblyseius Aphidoletes aphidimyza Syrphidae hoverfly larva Neuroptera lacewing larva Coccinellidae ladybirds and their larva Feltiella acarisuga and Typhlodromus pyri More recently Beauveria bassiana has become available to growers for caterpillar and whitefly control in protected crops Grass alleys appear to encourage higher population levels of Coleoptera beetles which are voracious vine weevil predators that help to maintain vine weevil at a low level The introduction of gall mite and reversion resistant varieties has enabled an overall reduction in the use of insecticides on sites where the pressure from mite infection is low This reduction has led to a shift in the pattern of pest incidence which in turn has increas
8. ed demands on those monitoring the crop A program of minimum chemical applications can be balanced with the use of naturally occurring predators and it is the responsibility of all growers to remain in touch with these developments Chemical control Chemicals should be used as part of an integrated pest and disease management programme including cultural biological and chemical control Regular monitoring of bush fruit crops should be made atleast fortnightly through the growing season and a written record must be kept of observations made and subsequent recommendations If a product is to be used under the terms of an existing EAMU the relevant Notice of Approval documents must be obtained and read before applying the product At all other times abide by all label restrictions All blackcurrants that are under contract to Suntory will be subject to samples being taken for residue analysis at the point of despatch during the harvesting period with a minimum of one sample per farm Refer to the Generic Guidance Notes for details of laboratories It is critical that all label recommendations are adhered to so MRLs are not breached Post harvest If vine weevil have been found in the crop it is recommended that suitable control measures be carried out at this stage before any replanting WEED CONTROL Cultural control Cultivations between rows are an acceptable method of weed control on bare soil crops Polythene soi
9. ed in Category B a local environmental risk assessment for pesticides LERAP can be carried out to ascertain whether the buffer zone can be reduced Awritten record of any calculations carried out must be kept for future reference For broadcast air assisted applications the widths are generally greater e g 18 metres and can be even wider due to the greater potential for spray drift problems with such applications Buffer zones may now be reduced in certain circumstances where a LERAP for Broadcast Air Assisted sprayers has been undertaken m Always refer to the DEFRA CRD publications Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides Horizontal Boom Sprayers PB5621 and Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides Broadcast Air Assisted Sprayers PB6533 APPROVED USES NOT INCLUDED ON THE PRODUCT LABEL In many circumstances particularly for minor crops product labels do not include all of the approved uses and growers wishing to check the approval notice of a particular product should note that this information is available using the LIAISON search accessible via their RED TRACTOR Farm Assurance home page after logging in A search on the Off Label Approvals page of LIAISON by crop or product name should yield a results page A click on the product name should link to a summary of the approval information Near the bottom of the summary is the off label number e g 0246 09 and
10. igation Bushes under stress due to drought and lack of water uptake are more susceptible to two spotted spider mite infestation as well as some diseases such as Phomopsis dead arm Reduce stress by scheduling irrigation In all cases during flowering any irrigation should be kept to a minimum to avoid the spread of Botrytis cinerea grey mould on developing flowers Furthermore infection at the flowering stage is known to initiate the production of ethylene which causes run off Mulches Vi The use of a mulch is an important aid in the establishment of new plantations Where vine weevil is known to have inhabited a site however they are best avoided Mulching reduces the need for herbicides in bush row and helps to conserve moisture The use of coloured polythene mulches through which the crop is planted has proved successful in reducing the need for sterilisation by preventing weed growth They also act as a barrier to disease infection of the lower leaves from the soil and white mulches improve plant quality through light reflection Clear polythene mulches have been shown to enhance root growth but these do not provide weed suppression Grass tractor alleys Ideally the tractor alleys should be grassed down This would reduce the levels of compaction caused by heavy machinery and encourage ground beetles Herbicide applications are reduced and soil erosion is eliminated on slopes A wider alley might be req
11. l mulches may be used to suppress weeds and reduce the need for herbicides At the end of the plantation s commercial life any remaining non biodegradable mulch should be removed from the field however this task should ideally have been carried out during the lifetime of the plantation Polythene materials must be disposed of in a legal and environmentally responsible manner Do not burn or bury polythene on the farm Wherever possible polythene materials should be recycled Chemical control The control of weeds using residual and contact herbicides is practical However perennial weeds are most effectively managed by control prior to planting using translocated herbicides Environmental pollution Applications of crop protection chemicals must be made in such a way which minimises the risk of environmental pollution Where chemical control is being employed sprays should not be allowed to contact or drift onto field margins ditches lakes and watercourses Be aware of the Buffer Zone restrictions which appertain The restrictions relate to the proximity of a water course the type of spray applicator being employed and the chemical product and rate being applied As a general rule the buffer zone restriction width for tractor mounted horizontal boom sprayers is 5 metres from the top of the bank of the watercourse This applies to all pesticide products which are listed in category A m For any product list
12. lackcurrants they are infested with blackcurrant gall mite Consideration should be given to the level of infestation and the intended variety that is to be planted New plantations should not be planted adjacent to an existing plantation unless it is itself a young plantation Ideally new sites should be planted as far as reasonably possible from existing plantations Blackcurrants can be grown on a wide range of soil types though lighter soils will require the provision of irrigation Pure sands should be avoided due to poor availability of water Heavy clays are also unsuitable due to possible problems of compaction poor aeration and waterlogging Blackcurrant varieties susceptible to Phomopsis dead arm such as Ben Tirran Ben Dorain and Ben Avon should only be grown on the best soil types preferably with irrigation to avoid stress Gooseberries are less tolerant of heavy soils than blackcurrants A well maintained drainage system will reduce the impact of some of these problems Adequate soil preparation prior to the planting of new material is important to maintain soil structure Cultivation of very dry soil can result in slumping and capping while cultivation of excessively wet soil can result in smearing and compaction These problems can_ significantly reduce the success of establishment When selecting fields for bush fruit production consideration should be given to soil structure drainage texture pH depth air movement
13. nsidered to be reasonable and can be practically achieved FUNGICIDES Botrytis Aim to establish the best possible control of Botrytis at flowering Late season applications of botryticides are more likely to give rise to residues and are difficult to apply in bushes that are weighed down with crop In this situation it is almost impossible to achieve good cover and the physical damage caused by driving through the crop may well make subsequent infection worse by damaging tissues If Botrytis infection has occurred at flowering and is latent within the fruit late fungicide applications will not ever come into contact with the pathogen and will be entirely ineffective Botrytis pressure increases with bush size and age Moderate fertiliser and water application pruning to reduce bush density or width removal of low hanging branches and replanting when bush age becomes excessive are all practices which reduce disease pressure Aim to make the last pyrimethanil and cyprodinil fludioxonil applications no later than the end of flowering Leaf Spot Aim to establish the best possible control of leaf spot before the disease becomes established Where this is done successfully protectant sprays can cease well before harvest Rust Delay myclobutanil treatments for rust until after harvest Though rust can be detected at low levels in many crops for much of the season rust epidemics typically don t become serious until afte
14. ored access to the LIAISON database for all Red Tractor Fresh Produce members This system allows individual growers access to all information for plant protection products approved for use under the Red Tractor Fresh Produce Scheme LIAISON can be accessed under the Produce tab via the Checkers and Services page where you will also find a user manual Searches will be filtered specifically for the crops for which you are registered Once you have logged onto the site and clicked on the LIAISON hyperlink you will be directed to the LIAISON home screen You will need a username and password and these will be sent once you have registered http assurance redtractor org uk rtassurance services Registration members eb General Introduction Following a systematic approach will help growers identify and manage the risks involved in crop production This module is based on a typical crop production process and food safety health amp safety environmental and quality hazards are identified Appropriate controls may then be established to minimise risk Food safety and health amp safety issues always take precedent over quality and environmental controls The layout of this module follows the same structure as that used in the Red Tractor Farm Assurance Fresh Produce Standards The content of the module is reviewed prior to the issue of updated editions The review process considers both new developments and all relevant technology
15. overhead irrigation with either rain guns or the static frost protection system is more widely used Irrigation scheduling can be carried out using soil moisture monitoring devices In this way water can be applied at the optimum time Irrigation should always be scheduled to operate at below field capacity to avoid leaching of nutrients If frost protection is not required overhead irrigation should be avoided during flowering This can not only cause physical damage but also lead to the development of Botrytis fruit rot If frost protection is necessary obviously watering is unavoidable and approved fungicides should be used for protection against Botrytis For gooseberries overhead sprinkler systems can be used to give frost protection during the flowering period This system is not widely used by growers although is effective for gooseberries which flower at a time of year when frosts are prevalent It is also effective for early flowering Redcurrant cultivars such as Junifer Jonkheer Van Tets and Red Lake Later flowering cultivars such as Redstart Rondom and Rovada are less prone to frost and protection is considered less necessary HARVEST AND STORAGE Smoking must not be allowed in the blackcurrant plantation All picking staff should be carefully supervised to ensure only quality fruit is picked and that high standards of personal hygiene are observed It is advisable that all harvested fruit should be kept under shade at the
16. r harvest and a post harvest application of myclobutanil is usually sufficient to prevent outbreaks becoming significant and causing premature defoliation INSECTICIDES Aphids Aphid outbreaks prompt the use of both chlorpyrifos and pirimicarb in affected plantations Recent research in blackcurrants has shown that the aphid population over winters in the plantation and as a result the severity of aphid infestation the following season can be markedly reduced by an application of pirimicarb during the last week of September or the first week of October Sawfly Sawfly is an intractable pest that has led to the use of chlorpyrifos during the green fruit stage Treatment is more likely to be effective and later re treatment unnecessary where excellent control is achieved as soon as the outbreak is detected Frequent careful monitoring of the underside of the lower leaves in the centre of the bushes will detect infestation at an early stage and prompt treatment with chlorpyrifos in sufficient water to give excellent cover often obviates the need to re treat closer to harvest Improved Crop Monitoring One way of ensuring that agrochemicals are applied at the optimum time and only when necessary to avoid the use of unnecessary applications is to rely upon high quality routine crop monitoring Ideally crops should be assessed every week during key times for the commonly found insect pests and diseases as opposed to the for
17. s subtilis approved for control of Botrytis In addition the cultural controls outlined above should be carefully observed ii There are three major diseases These are powdery mildew leaf spot and Botrytis Established infections are extremely difficult to eradicate Prophylactic chemical treatments will probably have to be applied Fortunately most of the major commercial blackcurrant cultivars are resistant to powdery mildew Itis known that there is a greater risk of infection of leaf spot and Botrytis in wet and warm conditions Risk of powdery mildew increases with higher temperatures up to 25 C then is reduced Spray intervals and dose rates can be adapted to suit conditions at the time Before applying fungicides ensure that you use the product which is safest to the environment natural predators and introduced biological control organisms as well as being efficacious for the particular disease concerned iv All applications must be applied within the parameters given on the product label or extension of authorisation for minor use EAMU Biological control The use of predatory and parasitic organisms for crop pest control has been developed extensively for glasshouse crops during the past decade Similar principles are now being applied to outdoor crops and many predatory insects both naturally occurring and introduced have now been successfully adopted on outdoor soft fruit crops On blackcurrants however bio
18. s very acidic part of the lime requirement should be ploughed in and the remainder applied subsequently IRRIGATION Irrigation can be used for two purposes in blackcurrants a Overhead sprinkler systems can be used to give frost protection during the flowering period In the past this was particularly used with the cultivar Baldwin which flowers early has little frost tolerance and was regularly damaged by spring frosts However the Scottish bred varieties Ben Avon Ben Alder and Ben Tirran flower later than Baldwin and in most years miss the worst frosts As these cultivars give a more consistent yield without frost protection and because of the high capital cost of installing a system frost protected acreage is declining Existing installations are now mainly used for the early flowering cultivar Ben Gairn although this does has some tolerance to frost b To obtain good quality fruit with high yields and also maintain a good bush structure it is important that blackcurrants can be irrigated especially during periods of low available water capacity AWC It is particularly useful for newly planted cuttings which have a poor root system in drought periods However irrigation too close to harvest can reduce fruit brix levels and so should be avoided on processing crops Irrigation is best applied using low level tape or pipe However because of the difficulty in maintaining the system over the life of the plantation
19. ser recommendations see the DEFRA publication Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops RB209 After Planting Nutrient kg ha Soil Index Lower applications of nitrogen can be used on blackcurrant cultivars prone to excessive growth e g Ben Hope and other bush fruit Routine soil analyses should be carried out during the life of the plantation and top dressings of fertiliser applied according to the results of soil analysis indices APPENDIX 2 GUIDELINES ON MINIMISING PESTICIDE RESIDUES These guidelines have been produced after consultation between crop stakeholders and the RT Fresh Produce crop author They will be developed over the coming seasons as knowledge on minimising residues develops Growers should consult with their crop protection adviser to ensure other best practices are not compromised before considering these guidelines Consumers and retail customers are raising increasing concerns over the incidence of pesticide residues occurring in fresh produce Their desire to purchase produce that is free from residues has necessitated bush fruit growers to consider ways and means of minimising the risk of any residues from occurring in their harvested product RT Fresh Produce in consultation with technical representatives from all of the major marketing groups and producer organisations has considered the problems facing the bush fruit industry Having identified a list of these active ingredients
20. they have formulated guidance notes on potential crop protection and crop management strategies that growers may wish to follow to minimise the risk of residues occurring Active Ingredients Found in UK bush fruit Following good agricultural practice and integrated crop management should prevent growers from exceeding any set Maximum Residue Levels MRL s in the first place The table below lists those active ingredients commonly found in residue analyses conducted in bush fruit crops It is not a list of incidences where MRL s are exceeded but where residues are reported between the MRL and the limit of detection Each has a star rating depending upon either the frequency with which they are found or the risk of residues being found Where an active ingredient is not listed this indicates that either it gives rise to a detectable residue very rarely or insufficient information is available for its inclusion Chemical type Active Ingredient Typical Product Name H I Days Star Rating e Residues at high risk or found regularly in samples Possible Solutions to Minimise these Residues Residues at medium risk or found less regularly A number of suggestions have been formulated to in samples minimise the risk of some of these active ingredients occurring in residue analyses for both insecticides and Residues at lower risk but found occasionally fungicides Suggestions have only been offered where in samples a strategy is co
21. this link will open up a pdf of the current EAMU document giving details of the extension of use NUTRITION MACRONUTRIENTS Soil types and timing of applications of nutrients should be considered in order to achieve optimum crop response with minimal risk of environmental pollution Prior to planting a soil analysis must be carried out to ascertain existing soil levels of the macronutrients P K Mg and pH levels Suitable fertilisers can then be incorporated into the soil Apply the appropriate rate of fertiliser for blackcurrants to the soil for each index see Appendix For subsequent seasons soil should be analysed on a regular basis 1 in 4 years and the appropriate quantity of fertiliser applied each year according to the index Either straight or compound fertilisers can be applied Top dressings of inorganic fertiliser should be made each year in the spring March May Avoid applying any nitrogenous fertilisers before this to prevent leaching of nitrate nitrogen into watercourses Where frost protection is being used apply half the rate at grape stage and the remainder at fruit set to avoid leaching pH Where soil pH is above 7 micronutrient deficiency e g iron and manganese may occur Leaf analysis will confirm such problems and foliar or soil application will be necessary If soil pH is significantly below 6 lime or magnesium limestone can be incorporated pre planting to bring the pH up to 6 5 If the soil i
22. tnightly inspections that is currently the industry standard This is particularly important early in the season At this stage should specific insect pests or diseases appear early curative and preventive action can be taken to avoid the use of applications later in the season closer to harvest thus reducing the risk of residues occurring Where such monitoring is conducted it is wise to employ record sheets to log any problems which were found each week record the choice of agrochemical the date it was applied and why it was applied At the end of the season this allows growers to relate any residues that have occurred to the chemical application and the monitoring procedure thus allowing the effectiveness of the monitoring to be assessed NOTES as Red Tractor Assurance for Farms Crop specific Module Fruit bush Assured Food Standards 2015 ee NOTES Red Tractor Assurance for Farms Crop specific Module Fruit bush Assured Food Standards 2015 Certification Body Beef and Lamb Certification NSF Certification Hanborough Business Park Long Hanborough Oxford OX29 8SJ Tel 01993 885739 Email agriculturefansf org Web www nsf foodeurope com SFQC SFQC Ltd Royal Highland Centre 10th
23. to plant a new crop adjacent to one which is particularly prone to powdery mildew or leaf spot For Botrytis it is important to choose a site with good air movement and circulation to prevent the build up of moist air Where possible avoid planting blackcurrants close to an existing plantation which is infested with big bud mite Crops should not be planted on sites with existing infestations of vine weevil or adjacent to crops such as strawberries ornamentals or blackcurrant crops which are known to be infested Gooseberry crops should not be planted on sites with existing infestations of vine weevil or adjacent to crops such as strawberries blackcurrants ornamentals or other redcurrant or gooseberry crops that are known to be infected Sites where gooseberries have been previously lost to Phytophthora infection should also not be used Rotations It is unwise to replant an old plantation with existing infestation of vine weevil or nematodes Always rotate plantations wherever possible Machinery equipment If fields differ in levels of infection from pest and diseases it is always better to carry out the mechanical operations in the least affected plantation first leaving the most affected to last thereby minimising the risk of spreading the infection It is very easy to transfer pests from one plantation to another either directly on tractors or sprayers or indirectly by carrying leaf and flower buds around a farm Irr
24. trolling pests and diseases ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION amp CONTAMINATION CONTROL PEST DISEASE AND WEED CONTROL Pests and diseases Introduction Experience suggests that an integrated approach with emphasis on prevention rather than cure give the best results In this way pesticide inputs can be minimised The insect pests and diseases causing greatest yield and quality loss to blackcurrants are gall mite reversion aphid sawfly leaf curling midge vine weevil two spotted spider mite capsids tortrix caterpillar winter moth powdery mildew Phomopsis dead arm Botrytis and leaf spot The insect pests and diseases causing greatest yield and quality loss to gooseberries and Redcurrants are vine weevil gooseberry sawfly powdery mildew Botrytis leaf spot Phytophthora root rot and Eutypa dead arm An integrated approach should be adopted to achieve optimum control involving the following management steps Good management and planning a Careful site selection is important b Crop rotations to reduce the build up of pest and disease infestations c Where appropriate use varieties that are resistant or partially resistant to pests and disease Cultural prevention techniques 1 Roguing is an important practice to identify and then remove those bushes which have been infected with the reversion virus Ideally the emerging flower buds the grapes should be inspected just prior to flowering and the le
25. uired particularly on strong soils and or where vigorous cultivars are to be grown In practice in high rainfall areas excessive growth of grass and herbs in the alleyways may lead to problems of Botrytis and fruit quality dependent on varietal habit In some circumstances sowing low vigour grasses or the use of weed free alleyways may be preferable i Trash removal Vv On some farms sweeping trash from under the bush is practised This operation is done at the same time as pulverising the prunings Whilst it may have the effect of reducing overwintering spores on leaf debris the main reason is to reveal the bare soil so residual herbicide activity is far more effective Integrated control This involves the integration of cultural biological and chemical control methods to achieve both optimum control and a reduction in pesticide usage Regular crop monitoring is essential at least once every two weeks during the growing season by specialists or trained farm staff The main pests that should be monitored are aphids big bud mite leaf curling midge sawfly two spotted spider mite vine weevil and woolly currant scale Minor pests can also cause damage and should be monitored as damage occurs As yet few integrated control measures have been developed for blackcurrant diseases However several principles should be adhered to i There is only one approved biological control method at present for fungal diseases Bacillu
26. which are virus free and of a high health status Planting material should be obtained from an approved nurseryman where the material has been certified under the Plant Health Propagation Scheme PHPS or a recognisable comparable scheme with quality standards that meet the specifications for which it is intended Where self propagation of planting material is carried out where approved however limited it is extremely important that this material is grown in a manner as to minimise the risk of infection from viruses and pests from commercial plantations Where growers require assurances from propagators that plants have been raised under the auspices of the Red Tractor Farm Assurance Fresh Produce Scheme they should request a verification number from their propagator SITE AND SOIL MANAGEMENT SITE HISTORY Correct site selection is an important factor if a plantation is to produce viable yields of optimum quality fruit Some blackcurrant varieties require a frost free site although most modern varieties have a degree of frost tolerance Sites should slope with no obstructions at the bottom to encourage air drainage Shelter from cold winds during flowering is important to prevent physical damage and to encourage a warmer microclimate that in turn will encourage pollination and the presence of pollinating insects The most important factor when considering a site is the proximity of other plantations particularly if in the case of b
27. which has emerged since the last review was completed and which have been found to be both workable by the grower and beneficial to the environment The aim is to transfer such information and technologies to growers Acknowledgements Red Tractor Farm Assurance Fresh Produce gratefully acknowledges the contribution of all consultees in the preparation of this protocol particularly members of British Summer Fruits John Atwood of ADAS UK Ltd and Rob Saunders of Suntory ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AGAINST CURRENT STANDARDS CROP SPECIFIC STANDARDS SITE AND SOIL MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CONTAMINATION CONTROL NUTRITION IRRIGATION HARVEST AND STORAGE RESIDUES AND CONTAMINANTS APPENDIX 1 TYPICAL FERTILISER APPLICATIONS FOR BLACKCURRANTS APPENDIX 2 GUIDELINES ON MINIMISING PESTICIDE RESIDUES ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AGAINST CURRENT STANDARDS STANDARDS HOW YOU WILL BE MEASURED IM b 02 02 03 04 07 07 08 08 09 10 RECORDS to be kept for 2 years Regular crop inspections must be undertaken and recorded Crop inspection records diary notes and subsequent recommendations CROP SPECIFIC STANDARDS None for this crop module as Red Tractor Assurance for Farms Crop specific Module Fruit bush Assured Food Standards 2015 E GUIDANCE CHOICE OF VARIETY OR ROOTSTOCK AND PLANT HEALTH CERTIFICATION PLANTING MATERIAL For successful Ribes production it is vital to plant stocks
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search