Integrated Crop Protection and Diagnostics Section

Faced with a large diversity of pests and diseases of regular or variable importance to fruit production, the Plant Protection Section has to deliver timely disease forecasts and decisions concerning potential control measures. The main strength of the Plant Protection Section has been a functional experimental set-up which lays an important foundation for the regional advisory service. Applied research has been a basis for developments in crop protection in the Lower Elbe region. Thus, crucial prerequisites for the introduction of Integrated Crop Protection have been established and further developed, always looking for solutions to existential problems. Problems in controlling of apple sucker and apple scab led to the establishment of the Fruit Experiment Station (OVA) Jork. Existential threats in subsequent years were posed by a large number of pests and diseases, including water voles and bitter rot in apple production, and fire blight, tree decline and little-cherry in sweet cherry production. Specific legislation covering the special fruit production areaAltes Land has been a milestone in securing the future of regional fruit production. Along similar lines, comprehensive surveys of the behaviour of crop protection compound residue have been conducted recently, the results being used as arguments against scientifically unfounded demands by food retailers concerning limitations of the number of detectable residues. The Plant Protection Section will continue to play a crucial role in the Fruit Experiment Station. Future challenges have to be met by a highly motivated and well equipped team.