The Influence of Spray Programs on the Fauna of Apple Orchards in Nova Scotia. IV. A Review

1953 ◽  
Vol 85 (12) ◽  
pp. 472-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Pickett ◽  
N. A. Patterson

Studies on the ecology of the fauna of apple orchards in Nova Scotia were initiated in 1943, to determine the long-term influence of spray chemicals on the populations of apple-infesting insects. At that time it was felt that the indiscriminate use of spray chemicals in the control of orchard pests was sometimes creating worse problems than those corrected–and was threatening the economy of apple production; and that there was an urgent need to determine, if possible, how to harmonize biological and chemical control. A more comprehensive discussion on the biological and philosophical concepts on which the studies were based may be found elsewhere (Pickett et al., 1946; Pickett, 1949a; 1949b).

1949 ◽  
Vol 81 (8) ◽  
pp. 202-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. T. Lord

The commercial production of apples has led growers to greater reliance on chemical control measures for pests than have most fields of agricultural production. Since the turn of the century orchardists have plunged deeper and deeper into artificial measures to produce fruit free from blemishes without greatly alleviating the over-all pest problem and, in some cases, actually producing conditions conducive to still greater problems.


1955 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Stultz

The eye-spotted bud moth, Spilonota ocellana (D. & S.), has a long history as a pest in Nova Scotia apple orchards, serious damage by it being reported as early as 1891 (Fletcher, 1892). Its status has fluctuated considerably, the most notable outbreak reaching its peak in 1927. This outbreak occurred when dusts were being used for the control of orchard pests, and (Kelsall 1932) was one of the two main reasons for abandoning the general use of dusts after 1927. The bud moth declined rapidly after 1927 and by 1931 was rated a minor pest (Gilliatt, 1932a). After flutuating at relatively low levels for seven years, it increased in importance and by 1942 was again a major pest. From 1942 to 1952, there was little change in its general status although large fluctuations in population were observed in orchards in which certain insecticides had been used (Stultz, 1950). During 1953, there was a marked decline in the average population level although reductions did not occur in all orchards.


1956 ◽  
Vol 88 (12) ◽  
pp. 697-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Dondale

Orchard spiders are important because of their predatory activities and their frequent abundance. They were recngnizcd as a group needing study at the time Pickett et al. (1946) began their long-term investigation of orchard fauna. The identities of the species involved, and their influence on populations of orchard pests, are the main factors to be considered.This paper presents a list of the species collected in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia to date, together with brief comments of a general nature. Spiders have been collected in about 40 orchards since 1954. These orchards were subjected to a variety of cultural and pest control methods by the owners, but most were in sod cultivation, and under modified spray programs as described by Pickett and Patterson (1953). Collecting was done mainly by capping lower branches of trees over an inverted, open umbrella, hut specimens were also taken individually from crevices along tree trunks, and from trays under fumigated trees.


Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Amélie Gervais ◽  
Marc Bélisle ◽  
Marc J. Mazerolle ◽  
Valérie Fournier

Bumble bees are among the most effective pollinators in orchards during the blooming period, yet they are often threatened by the high levels of pesticide use in apple production. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of landscape enhancements (e.g., hedgerows, flower strips) on bumble bee queens in apple orchards. Bumble bee queens from 12 orchards in southern Québec (Canada) were marked, released, and recaptured in the springs and falls of 2017 to 2019. Half of the 12 orchards had landscape enhancements. Apples were harvested in 2018 and 2019 to compare their quality (weight, diameter, sugar level, and seed number) in sites with and without landscape enhancements. Species richness, as well as the occurrence of three species out of eight, was higher in orchards with landscape enhancements than in orchards without such structures. The occurrence of Bombus ternarius was lower in orchards with high levels of pesticide use. Apples had fewer seeds when collected in orchards with landscape enhancements and were heavier in orchards that used more pesticides. Our work provides additional evidence that landscape enhancements improve bumble bee presence in apple orchards and should therefore be considered as a means to enhance pollination within farms.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. Holb

In a two-year study, yield loss and temporal dynamics of brown rot development caused by Monilinia fructigena (Aderh. & Ruhl.) Honey were quantified and analysed in two organic apple orchards (Debrecen—Pallag and Debrecen—Józsa). The first infected fruits were observed at the beginning of August in both years and both locations, except for one occasion when the first infected fruit was found at the end of July. Temporal disease development was continuous up to harvest time in both years and locations. In the two years, pre-harvest yield loss on the trees amounted between 8.9% and 9.3% at Debrecen-Pallag and between 9.7% and 10.8% at Debrecen—Jozsa by fruit harvest. Incidence of infected fruits on the orchard floor ranged from 32.4% to 43.2% and from 53.3% to 61.9%, at Debrecen—Pallag and Debrecen—Józsa, respectively, by fruit harvest. Analyses of temporal disease progress showed that the best-fitted mathematical function was the power function in both orchards and years. Both parameters of the power function clearly demonstrated that incidence of brown rot on fruit increased faster on the orchard floor than on the tree. Moreover, the disease increase was faster at Debrecen—Józsa in most cases than at Debrecen—Pallag. Our results indicated that the strategy of disease management, the ripeness of the fruit and the presence of a wounding agent played an important role in the yield loss and in the temporal development of fruit disease incidence caused by M. fructigena in organic apple orchards. Biological and practical implications of the results are discussed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer B. Korosi ◽  
Brian K. Ginn ◽  
Brian F. Cumming ◽  
John P. Smol

Freshwater lakes in the Canadian Maritime provinces have been detrimentally influenced by multiple, often synergistic, anthropogenically-sourced environmental stressors. These include surface-water acidification (and a subsequent decrease in calcium loading to lakes); increased nutrient inputs; watershed development; invasive species; and climate change. While detailed studies of these stressors are often hindered by a lack of predisturbance monitoring information; in many cases, these missing data can be determined using paleolimnological techniques, along with inferences on the full extent of environmental change (and natural variability), the timing of changes, and linkages to probable causes for change. As freshwater resources are important for fisheries, agriculture, municipal drinking water, and recreational activities, among others, understanding long-term ecological changes in response to anthropogenic stressors is critical. To assess the impacts of the major water-quality issues facing freshwater resources in this ecologically significant region, a large number of paleolimnological studies have recently been conducted in Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick. These studies showed that several lakes in southwestern Nova Scotia, especially those in Kejimkujik National Park, have undergone surface-water acidification (mean decline of 0.5 pH units) in response to local-source SO2 emissions and the long-range transport of airborne pollutants. There has been no measureable chemical or biological recovery since emission restrictions were enacted. Lakewater calcium (Ca) decline, a recently recognized environmental stressor that is inextricably linked to acidification, has negatively affected the keystone zooplankter Daphnia in at least two lakes in Nova Scotia (and likely more), with critical implications for aquatic food webs. A consistent pattern of increasing planktonic diatoms and scaled chrysophytes was observed in lakes across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, suggesting that the strength and duration of lake thermal stratification has increased since pre-industrial times in response to warming temperatures (∼1.5 °C since 1870). These include three lakes near Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, that are among the last known habitat for critically endangered Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani). Overall, these studies suggest that aquatic ecosystems in the Maritime Provinces are being affected by multiple anthropogenic stressors and paleolimnology can be effective for inferring the ecological implications of these stressors.


1955 ◽  
Vol 87 (11) ◽  
pp. 503-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. MacLeod

During an investigation into the importance of fungal disease as a factor in the control of orchard pests throughout the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, the haemocoele of large numbers of Macrosiphum pisi (Kaltenbach) was found to be infected with a fungal growth that resulted in death. This fungus was identified from mounted specimens as Empusa (= Entomophthora) aphidis Hoffman.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document