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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #176821
Title: COMPONENTS OF AN ECOLOGICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE ORCHARD

Author
item Brown, Mark
item MATHEWS, CLARISSA - SHEPHERD UNIV

Submitted to: International Symposium on Integrated Fruit Production
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2005
Publication Date: 4/30/2006
Citation: Brown, M.W., Mathews, C.R. 2006. Components of an ecologically and economically sustainable orchard. International Symposium on Integrated Fruit Production. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin. 28(7):73-76 (2005).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We are developing a sustainable system for eastern North American orchards beginning with redesigning the concept of what constitutes an orchard production system. Specific components of the system include the use of compost mulch, companion plantings, interplanting fruit trees with extrafloral nectaries, and a novel planting design to maximize interaction among the components. Inclusion of compost mulch, companion plantings and interplanting of fruit trees producing extrafloral nectar will maximize the functional biodiversity of the orchard and biological control. The novel orchard design is based on the concepts of ecological sustainability but is also based on economical feasibility so that it will be both environmentally sound and practical to implement.