Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Research, Education & Economics Information System (REEIS)

Titre : ORGANIC STONE-FRUIT PRODUCTION : OPTIMIZING WATER USE, FERTILITY, PEST MANAGEMENT, FRUIT QUALITY AND ECONOMICS

Identification : UTA00312

Pays : Etats Unis

Durée : Sep 1, 2009 à Aug 31, 2014

Mots clés : organic orchard, orchard floor, peaches, water use, soil quality, weeds, arthropods, fruit quality, economics

Partenaire : UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY LOGAN,UT 84322

Objectifs
The goals of this project are to : 1) develop a long-term on-farm research site devoted to testing and showcasing organic stone-fruit management strategies for increased water use efficiency, soil quality, pest management, fruit quality and economic stability in climates characterized by arid summers and cold winters ; 2) develop a county Extension personnel trained in organic production methods ; 3) work with Extension Agents, growers, fruit industry personnel, and national park officials to improve quality of life of rural populations by enhancing access to environmentally friendly, locally produced and nutritious foods while maintaining productive farmland through increased farm profitability and reduction of pesticide use. We will work towards these goals through the following specific objectives : A. Characterize potential tradeoffs in water use efficiency and tree growth with living and non-living mulches, internal and external fertility inputs, and soil quality. B. Characterize weed and arthropod response to organic management practices. C. Select orchard floor cover crops for optimizing weed suppression, arthropod dynamics, water use, and early season N release for cold winters, arid summers and shallow alkaline soils. D. Select orchard floor management for maximum fruit quality, environmental benefit and economic return. F. Increase adoption of stone-fruit organic production through education and outreach.

Présentation : USDA