Strengthening cultural and biological management of pests and diseases in apple and pear orchards

This project is demonstrating the success of biological control methods and is aligned with new research into improving the orchard habitat to support a greater diversity of beneficial biological control agents to assist management of pests, and a greater diversity of organisms known to improve soil health. They are also set to identify and demonstrate tools available to growers for measuring impacts of orchard cultural management practices on plant health, yield and quality. The project is responsible for developing and executing robust methods for monitoring establishment and performance of Mastrus ridens, a parasitoid wasp released through previous levy-funded project AP15001.