Research update: insects, diseases and storage.

AAFC scientists are studying three main areas of concern for apple producers: summer fruit rots, control of apple maggot, leafrollers and apple leaf curling midge and post-harvest storage disorders. Apple orchards in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island were surveyed for summer fruit rot and samples analysed to identify disease using morphological and molecular methods. Novel strategies to control summer rot are being explored. Conventional products for control of apple maggot are facing deregistration and apple maggot is persisting well into the harvest window when conventional products cannot be applied. Research explored the combination of conventional products followed by biopesticides during the harvest window for control of apple maggot. Results showed promise with further study required to verify results. Apples were treated with anti-ethylene products during harvest and put into storage. Assessment of these apples for post-harvest storage disorders is yet to occur.