Christmas trees
Field crops
Fruit
Home and yard
Nursery and landscape
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Diagnostic Services
Soil/Plant Nutrient Lab
Enviro-weather
Regional IPM Center
Pesticide safety
Organic: New Ag Network
Invasive species
Sustainable ag & food systems
This book explores growing fruit within a complex web that connects soil, plants, animals, humans, landscapes and the atmosphere. Readers will learn how these factors interact in a changing environment where it is impossible to change one aspect of a farming system without affecting others.
Fruit Crop Ecology and Management is a tool for growers and consultants who want to examine their farming practices and evaluate new alternatives. An ecological approach will help fruit producers: Grow quality fruit Enhance profitability Adopt new practices Reach new markets Interact with the environment surrounding their farm Comply with evolving laws and restrictions Respond to neighbors’ questions or concerns(sample pages, order information) Fruit Crop Ecology and Management encompasses ecological principles and horticultural practices for both tree fruits and small fruits. The primary region of reference is the United States’ Great Lakes region, however, much of the information can be applied well beyond that area. The authors present fundamental knowledge rather than specific recommendations, anticipating readers will seek additional references for details about practices for integrated pest management, organic or other approaches to farming. |
 |
What you’ll find inside Fruit Crop Ecology and Management |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Chapter 2 examines the community of organisms around the plant. This rich array of insects, mites, microbes, and nematodes is an important ecological element in the orchard, vineyard, or field. Climate and weather add to the complexity, driving organism spread and development and at the same time offering important information for monitoring and preventing pest problems. A look at landscape ecology reveals the effects of the immediate surroundings and regional landscape on the community of organisms. | |||
| Chapter 3 discusses how the people of the farm community and the world beyond affect production decisions. Every grower and consultant feels the pressure of integrating economics and marketing with the biology of the system while respecting the law. For fruit crop ecology, this means meeting quality standards of consumers and processors, building mutually beneficial interactions between farm and non-farm residents, and providing a safe, attractive place in which to live and work. Chapter 4 brings together the topics from the previous chapters to identify the implications for producing fruit sustainably. Management moves beyond a pest-by-pest focus to a community focus. We note any negative environmental impacts created by management practices and aim to limit them while producing quality fruit. You should leave this book equipped with new ideas for managing a sustainable fruit production system that is rooted within and at ease with the larger community.
|
 |
||
| An interdisciplinary effort to bring together knowledge and practice This book was written by specialists in sustainable agriculture, pest management, horticulture, social sciences, economics and agricultural meteorology. Growers, consultants, ag journalists and faculty at other universities joined Michigan State Univerisity Extension as reviewers and authors. The following institutions provided major financial, logistical and scientific support for this publication: Address questions about content or development to Editor Joy N. Landis (landisj@msu.edu) |
|||
back to top  |
|||
Email the web developer.