[PDF] Assessment Of Organic Apple Production In Washington State eBook

Author : Travis Robert Alexander
Publisher :
Page : 130 pages
File Size : 46,18 MB
Release : 2018
Category : Apples
ISBN :

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Washington State has the potential to be the cider apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) capital of the nation. Selection of a proper site for cider apple cultivation and acquisition of a stable and affordable harvest method are two factors that could determine long term success of the cider industry in Washington State. One study was carried out across Washington State to compare regional juice quality, and three studies were carried out from Mount Vernon, WA to evaluate over-the-row machine-harvest of cider apples as an alternative to hand-harvest. The first study compared five juice quality characteristics (soluble solids concentration, specific gravity, pH, titratable acidity, and tannin content) of four cider apple cultivars (Brown Snout, Dabinett, Kingston Black, and Yarlington Mill) grown in northwest Washington versus central Washington. Results from the study demonstrated variations in juice quality characteristics between cultivars and within a cultivar from year-to-year, but for the four cultivars included in this study variations did not occur due to production region in Washington. The second study assessed 'Brown Snout' cider apple that had been machine-harvested with an over-the-row shake-and-catch small fruit harvester to hand-harvested 'Brown Snout' in terms of yield, fruit damage, and five juice quality characteristics. Results from the study demonstrated that with some engineering modifications (16% gap) over-the-row machine-harvesting of cider apples could serve as a suitable replacement to hand-harvest provided fruit are processed into juice or cold-stored immediately. The third study evaluated the sensory perception (color, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, taste, and aftertaste) of ciders produced from over-the-row machine-harvested 'Brown Snout' versus hand-harvested 'Brown Snout', using a trained panel and electronic tongue (e-tongue). The trained panelists and e-tongue perceived differences due to harvest method, including color, astringency and mouthfeel. A consumer tasting panel should be conducted next to provide for an indication of market response to the impact of harvest method. The fourth study evaluated the polyphenol profiles of juice and cider derived from machine- and hand-harvested 'Brown Snout, utilizing multiple analytical approaches. The harvest costs savings provided by over-the-row machine-harvesting of 'Brown Snout' come at the cost of a lower absolute tannin content in the final product.

Author : Kate Evans
Publisher : Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 34,62 MB
Release : 2017
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9781786760326

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This book reviews our understanding of tree and fruit physiology and how it can be used in breeding better varieties. It also discusses pests and diseases and ways they can be prevented or controlled to make cultivation more productive.

Author : Terence L. Bradshaw
Publisher :
Page : 430 pages
File Size : 32,50 MB
Release : 2015
Category :
ISBN :

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Despite substantial consumer demand and willingness to pay premium prices for organically grown fruit, apple growers in Vermont and other New England states have been slow to adopt certified organic practices. Barriers cited in the past to increased adoption of organic apple production in the region include susceptibility of traditionally grown cultivars to apple scab, lack of effective insect pest management materials, and few available effective options for fruit thinning. Recent changes in apple cultivar plantings in the region, introduction of new insect pest management materials, and advances in crop thinning justified an evaluation of organic apple production systems containing cultivars identified as important to the future of the apple industry. In 2006, two apple orchards were established at the University of Vermont Horticulture Research and Education Center in South Burlington, VT to comprehensively evaluate the five commercially-important apple cultivars of `Ginger Gold', `Honeycrisp', `Liberty', `Macoun', and `Zestar!' over eight growing seasons in two organically-managed orchard production systems, including a newly-planted high-density orchard (Orchard 1) and in an existing, medium-density orchard which was top-grafted to the new cultivars (Orchard 2). Parameters for tree growth and survival, crop yield, disease and arthropod pest incidence on foliage and fruit, and long-term economic return, including a twenty-year projection of net present value (NPV) of each cultivar in the two systems were evaluated in this study. `Ginger Gold', despite high incidence of some diseases on foliage and fruit, performed the best in both orchard systems overall. The cultivar was among the cultivars with the highest measurements of tree growth. `Ginger Gold', along with `Honeycrisp', had the highest cumulative net crop yield per tree in Orchard 1 and the highest in Orchard 2. Notably, apple scab on `Honeycrisp' foliage and fruit and `Zestar!' fruit in both orchards was at a level that was not significantly different from `Liberty', a scab-resistant cultivar on which no scab was observed. However, `Honeycrisp' had the highest incidence of fruit rots in both orchards, but it was not significantly different than `Zestar!' in Orchard 1. Management of lepidopteran pests of fruit was a major challenge on all cultivars over the years of the study. For most of the tree growth parameters and cumulative net crop yield, `Liberty' was among the lowest group of cultivars in both orchards. Cumulative net crop yield of both `Macoun' and `Zestar!' were also among the lowest in both orchards with the top-grafted `Macoun' and `Zestar!' trees having significant tree death compared to the other cultivars in Orchard 2. Harvested fruit were graded to commercial standards and cumulative gross and net income calculated from grade distribution, crop yield, and fruit price data. In Orchard 1, `Ginger Gold' and `Liberty' had greater cumulative gross income per hectare from 2006-2013, in excess of US$40,000, compared to `Liberty'. However, after management costs were deducted, all cultivars in Orchard 1 had negative cumulative net income of $-77,892 or less. In Orchard 2, all cultivars had positive cumulative net income for 2006-2013, and `Ginger Gold' had the highest at $109,717/ha. The twenty-year projected NPV was negative for all cultivars in Orchard 1, but in Orchard 2, all cultivars had positive NPV with `Ginger Gold' having the highest among the cultivars.

Author : Suzette P. Galinato
Publisher :
Page : 7 pages
File Size : 44,10 MB
Release : 2011
Category : Agricultural estimating and reporting
ISBN :

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"Production costs and returns vary greatly for any particular orchard operation due to case-specific capital, labor, and natural resources; crop yields; type and size of machinery implements; input prices; cultural practices; commodity prices; operation size; and management skills. Cost estimation also varies with the intended use of the enterprise budget. The information in this publication serves as a general guide for projecting costs and returns of a certified organic apple enterprise in Washington State. To avoid drawing unwarranted conclusions about any particular orchard or group of orchards, the reader is asked to closely examine the assumptions made and adjust the costs and/or returns as appropriate for the situation."--Abstract.

Author : Sean L. Swezey
Publisher : UCANR Publications
Page : 84 pages
File Size : 50,89 MB
Release : 2000
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9781879906488

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Over 20 years of research by UC scientists, farm advisors, growers, and the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program have culminated in the first production manual from the University of California for current or potential producers of certified organic apples. Organic Apple Production Manual includes a review of trends in production and markets, supply and price, and state/federal regulation and certification. Chapters include orchard management, disease and pest management, harvest and postharvest operations, marketing considerations, and economic performance. Includes a bibliography of publications useful to the organic grower.