HDC releases essential crop walkers’ guide for apple growers
The guide has been produced to support apple orchard staff in the monitoring of crops and includes pictures of all the commonly found pests and diseases. Early detection of such problems will help growers to instigate crop protection measures at the optimum time. An ideal reference tool, the guide is robust and weather proof meaning it is ideal for staff working out in the field.
Compiled by Michelle Fountain and Robert Saville of East Malling Research, the Apple guide is a new addition to a range of other HDC crop walkers’ guides produced to support growers including strawberry, cane, bush and stone fruit.
Commenting on this new guide, grower Nigel Stewart of AC Goatham & Son said, “This will be a really useful tool for us to use to better educate our farm staff about the pests and diseases they need to look out for. I’ve seen many soft fruit growers keeping their guides in farm vehicles for quick reference and I can see us putting the apple guide to the same good use.”
As well as pests and diseases the guide also includes naturally occurring predators and beneficial insects. Further comprehensive information about apple pests and diseases can be found in the Apple Best Practice Guide on www.hdc.org.uk.
For more information:
Louise Arculus
Tel: +44 (0)2476 478661
[email protected]
