Grant ID Number: ONE10-117
Grant Recipient: Peter Jentsch, Cornell University, Highland NY
Organic apple production can be challenging in New York, although consumer demand is healthy. To increase yield, the project manager will explore reducing pest pressure through mating disruption, insect barrier film, "Curveball" spheres for apple maggot, and sprayer modification and calibration. The overall goal is to use OMRI-approved pest management materials to increase pest-free fruit by 30 to 50 percent and marketable yield by as much as 200 percent. Outreach will be through web-based videos, written production protocols, winter fruit schools, and field meetings.
