Apple producers across Europe face increasing challenges, from growing disease and pest pressure to regulatory changes. With its strategic focus on specialty crops, Certis Belchim actively invests in new solutions tailored to those crops, including apples, to address the gaps growers suffer from in their protection strategies. They work closely with growers to develop innovative, sustainable solutions tailored to their needs.
Apple producers across Europe face increasing challenges, from growing disease and pest pressure to regulatory changes. With its strategic focus on specialty crops, Certis Belchim actively invests in new solutions tailored to those crops, including apples, to address the gaps growers suffer from in their protection strategies. They work closely with growers to develop innovative, sustainable solutions tailored to their needs.
Innovation through collaboration
We know that progress does not happen in isolation, so we learn from crop specialists and growers and witness their challenges in the field. We also engage with research institutes and key technical organisations across Europe to help us screen new active ingredients, refine application methods or adapt existing products for new uses. Ultimately, close collaboration with growers remains essential in our activity to design programmes integrating a range of solutions that will enable a sustainable approach to apple crop management.
Challenges in the orchards
Key challenges include disease and pest pressure, both during the growing season and in storage, together with fewer crop protection options to tackle those problems. These issues are exacerbated by greater climatic variability and labour shortages.
Diseases such as scab, Nectria, and powdery mildew remain persistent threats while renewed concerns about fruit rot caused by Colletotrichum have been increasing recently. In addition, aphids, particularly Rosy apple aphid and Woolly aphid, are becoming harder to control with fewer registered insecticides.
The incidence of erratic climatic events such as late frosts, droughts, flooding, hailstorms, etc. is increasing and labour shortages present a serious problem for growers. All these issues can lead to harvest reduction or delays and poorer fruit quality, which is critical for export markets, and can have a negative effect on the trees for the years to come.
We’re not just talking about innovation, we’re making it happen, with growers at the centre of everything we do. We ensure that every innovation is backed by solid science in line with regulatory requirements and will fit seamlessly into existing practices.
Celine Ramponi, Head of crop development for Perennial crops.
Certis Belchim
The impact of losing active substances
The withdrawal of active substances, and thus the loss of available commercial crop protection products, is a serious concern for growers. For example, the restrictions of a broad-spectrum fungicide like captan, the prevalent molecule used against fungal disease, also encompassing protection against storage disease, is a major challenge. Disease risk will increase and may result in a need for more frequent spraying of alternatives, if any are available. Extra spray applications can create an unsustainable burden for growers and may also lead to unacceptably high residues of active ingredients in the fruit when carried out with limited molecules.
“Every time you lose a molecule with a broad-spectrum you need two more to compensate and mitigate the risk of developing resistance,” explains Lukas Van Evercooren, Technical Account Manager, Horticulture in Belgium. “New solutions must of course be effective but preferably also tank-mix compatible to reduce the number of applications, both in terms of costs and time commitment.”
Collaborative trials and knowledge exchange
Certis Belchim is constantly exploring strategies that focus on improving efficacy and sustainability. The work is helping to refine application timing and dose rate, ensuring that growers can maximise protection while minimizing environmental impact. We actively research both conventional and biorational solutions, to create integrated programmes in close partnership with growers, and adapt strategies as new pests and diseases emerge or re-emerge.
Trials and demonstration events organised by Certis Belchim allow growers and distributors to observe the results of the new solutions the company is working on. We discuss trials results and strategies with them, and they can see the success of correctly applied integrated programmes. Growers can discuss how recommendations can be adapted to meet their needs and specific market requirements.
Facing the future together
From disease and pest resistance to storage challenges, the pressures are mounting but with Certis Belchim on the ground, listening to growers and investing in long-term solutions, growers are not facing them alone. This collaborative approach ensures that every step from lab to field is informed by grower expertise and experience. As Celine Ramponi puts it, “We listen, learn and deliver solutions that truly work for those who know the land best.”
