2015 UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program Research and Outreach Activity Outline

Program Director: Terence Bradshaw, Ph.D. UVM Tree Fruit & Viticulture Specialist
University of Vermont Plant and Soil Science
210 Jeffords Hall, 63 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT 05405

Key Collaborator:Ann Hazelrigg, Ph.D. Director, UVM Plant Diagnostic Clinic

Research Technicians:Sarah Kingsley-Richards, Jessica Foster, Gabriella Maia

Executive Summary

The University of Vermont Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program conducts applied research and outreach activities important to and informed by the respective fruit, wine, and cider industries. Our program focuses on applied, industry-identified issues, including: assessment of organic apple production systems in cool, humid climates; grape cultivar evaluation; assessment of apple production systems for hard cider markets; and mitigation of apple replant disease. In Vermont, no Extension support exists for crop-related technical service for these crops, and this program, housed in the Department of Plant and Soils Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Science serves as the primary provider for that information used by growers. The following outline lists funded research programs and outreach activities for 2015. Hyperlinks in this document refer to supplementary materials including original grant text, plot maps, treatment protocols, and datasheets for each project. They are located within folders nested in the directory in which this document resides. A research calendar resides at the UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program SharePoint site here (requires access permission and login).

The primary intent of this document is to outline activities for program staff and collaborators; it was not developed to be a public document or progress report. Development of this document was conducted by Terence Bradshaw in partial fulfillment of effort required for the PSS 295: Independent Study course “Applied Specialty Crops Research Program Development,” with input and organizational assistance from Jessica Foster.

Contents

Executive Summary

1. Orchard Economic Assessment to Support Vermont Hard Cider Production

2. Apple Market Optimization and Expansion through Value-Added Hard Cider Production

3. Biological Management of Apple Replant Disease

4. Biological Disease Management of Organic Apples

5. NC-140 Organic Rootstock Trial

6. The Multidisciplinary Vermont Extension Implementation Program Addressing Stakeholder Priorities and Needs for 2014-2017.

7. Northern Grapes: Integrating Viticulture, Winemaking, and Marketing of New Cold- Hardy Cultivars Supporting New and Growing Rural Wineries & NE-1020 Multi-State Evaluation of Wine Grape Cultivars and Clones

8. Field Assessment of Biostimulants for Organic Apple Scab Management

Budget Planning

PSS 298: Applied Specialty Crops Research Program Development Proposal and Contract

1. Orchard Economic Assessment to Support Vermont Hard Cider Production

Grant text

Sponsor: USDA Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)

Effective Dates: 9/30/14 - 9/29/15

Co PIs: T.L. Bradshaw and D. Conner, UVM

Funding: $75,830

Abstract

Over the past four years commercial hard cider production has seen growth of over 50% annually in the U.S., and presents a potential high-value processing market for apple growers. Significant expansion of commercial cideries has occurred in Vermont, including investments of several million dollars, supporting over 200 employees statewide. However there are concerns that continued economic expansion will be limited by their ability to source apples for hard cider making. Little research has been conducted in the U.S. on costs of production for apples grown for hard cider production, the opportunities to reduce inputs and change management practices in cider orchards, and the economic impact of cider apple production systems.

This project proposes to conduct that research through collaborations with commercial apple growers and cideries in Vermont.

Goals and Objectives

1)Quantify production costs for apples managed specifically for hard cider production;

2)Identify cider fruit quality and quantify per-acre yield characteristics of cider grown fruit in diverse orchard systems.

3)Identify orchard management practices that may be modified to enhance profitability of cider apple production systems.

4)Assist in the development of more efficient marketing methods, practices and facilities to bring about more efficient and orderly marketing of cider apples, and reduce the price spread between growers and cideries, and;

5)Quantify the economic impact of hard cider and cider apple production on rural Vermont economies.

Plan of Action

The analysis will compare cost of production of three cultivar categories (i) commodity cultivars, (ii) dual purpose, and (iii) specific cider orchards, grown under diverse management systems. Two Vermont commercial orchards with each cultivar type will be analyzed, one each representing low-intensity and high-intensity production systems.

Production costs will be evaluated looking at fixed costs, input costs, and labor/variable costs.

At the beginning of the project, Sep-Nov 2014, participating farmers will be interviewed and their current cost measurement practices will be analyzed. Simultaneously, a comprehensive secondary data analysis of cider apple production in Europe, focusing on France and England, will be conducted. A proposed protocol will be developed, vetted by farmers and adapted as need be. In Feb-March 2015 farmers will be trained on the protocols and they will collect data from April-November 2015. Economic data collections and analysis will be performed by Florence Becot in CDAE.

Commercial farms will fill out records for costs weekly and have an activity log. Total Harvests will be weighted for yield per acre and cost per pound will be calculated. Within each cooperating orchard, a randomized sample of trees (n ≥ 5) for each cultivar will be selected and harvested fruit weighed to calculate yield per acre. For each cultivar, ten fruit per replicate will be selected and juiced. Collected juice will be analyzed for soluble solids (fermentable sugar, ° brix), titratable acidity, pH, and total phenolics. An assessment of insect and disease damage incidence and other defects will also be conducted on harvested fruit. Protocols will follow those from 2014 season with data collection occurring at Green Mountain Orchard (Putney), Champlain Orchard (Shoreham), Sunrise Orchard (Cornwall), and the UVM HREC (South Burlington).

2015 Datasheets

Sample 2014 data collection

At the beginning of each project year price data will be collected looking at the farmer’s desired price, average price received, and their dignity price. These prices will be compared to identify the bid-ask gap, if any, and compared with production costs to see if improved efficiency can close the gap and contribute to mutual profitability.Economic impact of the project on producers will be calculated on the micro (farm) and macro (industry) scale in 2016 based on data collection from 2015-2016.

Expected Outputs

Enterprise budgets for production of cider apples in the northeast US
Research-supported list of potential management strategies or areas for continued research to increase adoption of cider apple production.
Development of a listing of apple cultivars suited for hard cider production and associated fruit quality characteristics.
Development of comprehensive methods for economic evaluation of cider apple production.

Outreach

Result from this project will be disseminated through existing University and industry outreach platforms as well as publications. The PIs will also present results from this project at the annual USACM Cider Conference, The Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association, and other industry events.

2. Apple Market Optimization and Expansion through Value-Added Hard Cider Production

Grant text

Sponsor: Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

Effective Dates: 9/01/14 - 12/31/2015

Co PIs: T.L Bradshaw and D. Conner, UVM

Funding: $40,000, $10,000 matchingfunds grant from Vermont Hard Cider Co.

Abstract

Nationally and at the state level, the hard cider market has experienced average annual growth of over

15% for the past five years. In 2013, WLEF invested in juice pressing infrastructure at Champlain Orchards to facilitate expansion of the Vermont hard cider industry. That project did not address the key bottleneck in increasing purchases of local apples: availability of a consistent supply of quality fruit priced for processing markets. This proposal addresses industry identifiedneeds.

Goals and Objectives

Identify horticulturally and economically feasible market expansion opportunities for Vermont orchards to grow apples for high-value processing by hard cider producers in Vermont.

Identify production capacity and needs for market expansion; identify orchard production system and varieties suited for hard cider; and conduct economic analysis to determine price points for cider apples. ID unique apple cultivars that meet the needs of orchards and cideries via testing juice quality assessments and fermentation trails.

Create a Vermont Cider Network to help cideries, fruit growers, and researchers to collaboration and network.

Plan of Action

Jan-Sep 2015: Summarize economic, horticulture, and cider trials data. Prepare final report and present results at VTFGA meetings as well USACM Cider Conference 2015. Meet with stakeholders to continue to meet producer needs identified and informed by WLEF project. Submit, with national collaborators, competitive proposal to continue and expand program between growers and cideries; conduct financial analysis of orchard systems.

Sep-Dec 2015: Collect horticultural (yield) and economic data. Coordinate fruit processing and cider making.

Nov-Dec 2015: Summarize economic, horticulture, and cider trials data. Prepare final report and present results at VTFGA meetings as well USACM Cider Conference 2016. Meet with stakeholders to continue to meet producer needs identified and informed by WLEF project.

2015 Datasheets

Sample 2014 data collection

Expected Outcomes

40 fruit growers and commercial cideries join the network
Increase quantity of VT fruit purchased by cideries by 15%
Increase % of all VT cidery fruit that is VT-grown by 15%
Increase acreage of cider apples by 15%
Reduce cost of production of cider apples by 15%
Reduce input and labor costs (pesticides, fertilizers, pruning, harvest, etc.) in cider apple orchards by 15% over fresh market orchards
Cider apple production systems will generate at least equal revenue per acre as industry standard for fresh market fruit in Vermont (NASS economic data) Reduce input and labor costs (pesticides, fertilizers, pruning, harvest, etc.) in cider apple orchards by 15% over fresh market orchards
Cider apple production systems will generate at least equal revenue per acre as industry standard for fresh market fruit in Vermont
Identify five varieties selected as suitable for cidery needs for increased production in Vermont orchard

Outreach

2014 Progress report

3. Biological Management of Apple Replant Disease

Grant text

Sponsor: Northeast SARE Partnership Grant Program

Effective Dates: 5/1/14 - 4/30/16

PIs: T.L. Bradshaw

Funding: $14,314, $9,625 matching funds from Novozymes Inc. and Monsanto Bio Ag.

Abstract

Apple replant disease (ARD) is a serious disorder that reduces tree growth and cumulative yield on affected trees planted on previous orchard sites. ARD is caused by a complex of soil fungi, bacteria, and nematodes that may act synergistically to cause disease. ARD was formerly controlled pre-planting with soil fumigation with methyl bromide, but due to its environmental and human health impacts this practice has been discontinued. Other methods to control ARD have had variable results. One option for control is the use of Biopesticides, which are biologically-derived materials that may control pests or diseases. However, many registered materials have not been tested for efficacy on specific crops and diseases. This project will assess apple tree growth and crop yield improvements from two promising and commercially-available biological control materials in two ARD-affected orchards in Vermont.

Goals and Objectives

Testing two commercial biopesticides alone and in combination in two Vermont orchards to see if they can combat ARD.

Plan of Action

At each site, four treatments will be applied to five single-tree replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design. Treatments will include: 1) non-treated control; 2) MeloCon at four lbs/acre; and, 3) Actinovate AG at 12 oz/acre. Treatments will be applied as a soil drench within the drip line of individual trees in the equivalent of 100 gallons of water per acre. Treatments will begin at pink bud stage (roughly May 1) and will be repeated every 60 days, or roughly on July 1 and September 1, for a total of three treatments per season. Treatments will be repeated on the same trees for two growing seasons.

Measured variables will include tree growth (trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) at the beginning and end of each season, and vegetative shoot length and canopy size each season), fruit yield (bushels per acre equivalent), and fruit size. Soil will be analyzed for trophic diversity of nematode communities at the end of the project. This data will not only measure effects of treatments on nematode populations, including plant parasitic species, but trophic nematode indices are a measure of soil ecological condition. All data will undergo an analysis of variance to determine effects of experimental treatments on measured parameters. In addition, changes in fruit yield and size will be correlated to potential changes in income per acre in order to allow commercial growers to assess treatment impacts on their businesses.

In 2015 this experiment has been expanded in block 20 on the honey crisp trees. They will receive the same three treatments and timings as used in the original study: 1) non-treated control; 2) MeloCon at four lbs/acre; 3) Actinovate AG at 12 oz/acre; five reps each, with 12 trees per rep. The map has been updated under the expanded ARD map tab. Treatments will be applied as a soil drench to evaluate potential to reduce labor associated with soil injections.

The project will be conducted over two growing seasons because tree growth and fruit yield impacts

Attributable to ARD management practices tend be measurable after multiple field seasons. Data was collected in 2014 and summarized in an annual report located at the Northeast SARE website. (Document link)

May 2015 / Apply initial treatments for 2015 season to orchards.
July 2015 / Apply second treatments to orchards.
August 2015 / Apply third treatments to orchards. Collect nematode data.
September 2015 / Apply fourth treatments to orchards. Collect yield and fruit size data.
October 2015 / Measure tree growth (TCSA, shoot length, tree canopy volume). Collect soil for nematode community analysis (Neher lab, University of Vermont).
Winter 2015-2016 / Analyze data. Present results at winter grower meetings and in online publications.Writeup results in peer-reviewed publication (HortTechnology).

Plot maps, rate calculations, and datasheets

4. Biological Disease Management of Organic Apples

Sponsor:USDA FSMIP, Hazelrigg Hatch

Effective Dates: Spring 2015-2017

PIs:Bradshaw, Hazelrigg

Abstract

Disease management options for organic apple producers in the northeast are limited. The use of scab-resistant cultivars (SRCs) are an important component of biologically-intensive organic IPM programs. However, many secondary diseases must still be managed in SRC orchards, some of which will become primary diseases in the absence of apple scab. Applications of sulfur or copper materials to manage secondary diseases has been shown to have negative impacts on tree growth, crop yield, and fruit quality. In previous trials biopesticides have been shown to have efficacy against many target organisms. In this project, three biopesticides (Actinovate AG, Double Nickel 55, and Serenade Optimum) will be assessed against an organically-acceptable non-biopesticide control (Cueva) in a certified-organic orchard of SRCs in South Burlington, VT.

Goals and Objectives

Three biopesticides will be evaluated in an SRC orchard to see the effects on disease incidence on fruit and foliage. The design of the study allows for comparison of each biopesticide product to one another, as well as its fit into an integrated program in rotation with a non-biopesticide chemical, copper octanoate.

Plan of Action

This study will be conducted in a certified organic orchard at the UVM Horticulture Research Center. Planted in 2011 on M.26 rootstock eight SRCs (Scab Resistant Cultivar : Crimson Crisp, Crimson Gold, Crimson Topaz, Florina Querina, Galarina, Liberty, William’s Pride, and Winecrisp) were planted and trained to a vertical axe system on a four-wire trellis planted at 4x15 feet (726 trees per acre). The experiment will utilize a randomized complete block design with eight treatments including non-treated and non-biopesticide chemical controls with five replications.

Applications will be made to eight-tree plots, each containing a randomized set of one each of eight SRCs All treatment sprays will be applied immediately separate from normal whole-block insecticide or nutrient broadcast sprays. Spray equipment (Rears Pul-Blast 300 Airblast and Nifty Fifty Handgun, Rears Mfg., Eugene OR) will be calibrated to apply 100 gallons of water per acre or as appropriate determined by tree row volume calculations to ensure adequate spray coverage with minimal runoff.

Table 1: Experimental Treatments, Timings, and Rates
Material Applied
TRT # / Pink / Petal Fall / 1st cover* / 2nd cover / 3rd cover / 4th cover
1 / (Non-Treated Control)
2 / Cuv / Cuv / Cuv / Cuv / Cuv / Cuv
3 / Act / Act / Act / Act / Act / Act
4 / Dnc / Dnc / Dnc / Dnc / Dnc / Dnc
5 / Ser / Ser / Ser / Ser / Ser / Ser
6 / Act / Cuv / Act / Cuv / Act / Cuv
7 / Dnc / Cuv / Dnc / Cuv / Dnc / Cuv
8 / Ser / Cuv / Ser / Cuv / Ser / Cuv
*Cover sprays will be applied 10-21 days after the preceding application. Summer sprays after and including 2nd cover will be timed to provide protection from sooty blotch and flyspeck using appropriate models (Cornell University NEWA System) or no more than 21 days after the preceding application, whichever come sooner.
Act = Actinovate AG @ 12 oz/acre
Cuv = Cueva @ 2 gal/acre
Dnc = Double Nickel 55 @ 3 lbs/acre
Ser = Serenade Optimum @ 20 oz/acre

Data Collection: