The pip fruit industry in New Zealand has initiated a five-year endeavor aimed at discovering more efficient methods for managing the bronze beetle, a pest that compromises apple quality by damaging fruitlets. Apples and Pears New Zealand has allocated $598,370 towards the development and assessment of novel biocontrol products and the efficacy of lures that utilize male pheromones to attract and capture female beetles. This project receives additional support from the Ministry for Primary Industries' Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, contributing $888,630.
According to Rachel Kilmister, research and development manager at Apples and Pears, the bronze beetle poses a particular challenge for organic apple producers due to their limited pest control options. Organic methods involve multiple soil cultivations to disrupt the beetle's larvae, a practice that, while somewhat effective, is not deemed sustainable due to its adverse effects on soil and tree health. The beetle inflicts damage on over 25% of the crop in organic orchards, translating to an annual control cost of approximately $13,000 per hectare or $9 million across the sector.
The project aims to introduce a trapping system for monitoring beetle populations and to explore new biological control strategies. Among the considered approaches are the testing of pesticides and the potential use of endophyte grasses to naturally deter the beetle larvae. The initiative has garnered interest from growers eager to test these innovative solutions on their orchards.
Source: RNZ