Organic fruit production needs in the southeastern United States and organic pest management practices tested in Arkansas

Development of organic fruit pest management practices and their implementation in the southeastern (SE) United States is lagging behind the rest of the country and world. Regional constraints for implementing organic fruit production were identified from client-based focus groups held in four sites in the SE as follows: “go-to” person to increase interaction between the University and organic producers; conduct more science-based research on soil, pest and nutrient management; assimilate printed guides on organic production budgets and organic production practices; and develop local markets. A list of organic fruit production research and extension projects conducted in the SE since 2001 was compiled after conducting an online search for such projects. Several pest management practices adapted for organic production and tested in Arkansas include: preventing apple fruit damage by suppressing first and late season generations of codling moth and Oriental fruit moth with codling moth granulosis virus, Spinosad and Bt and by suppressing mid-season generations by mating disruption; attracting more plum curculio adults and focusing feeding damage to perimeter apple bait trees with dispensers releasing volatiles of grandisoic acid and one or two kairomone compounds than to adjacent unbaited trees; and attracting green June beetle adults to yellow funnel traps baited with a either a five-component volatile blend (TRE#8607) or 91% isopropanol. The later tactic may have potential for use in mass trapping of green June beetles.