Hello again Chris and all contributors, I hope that I did not come across as too negative about the potential of scab (or other pest or disease) resistant varieties. What I hoped to get across is that nature is not static, and that it is virtually inevitable that resistance will be broken down by the pathogen, sooner or later. As was outlined by Jean-Marc, this has already been documented for Vf scab resistance. So resistance is not a solution in itself, and once it is broken down, it is too late, so it needs to be preserved by thoughtful orchard practice. I think the reality is that we need to consider using whatever we can to control pests and diseases. That may include forecasting models, sanitation, trapping systems, resistance, chemical control, and all the other mechanisms that many growers are already familiar with, and I am sure, some that have not been thought of yet. I agree with Chris about the potential benefit of fire-blight resistance; it would be revolutionary. However, if that resistance is to come via genetic modification, then we need to be very careful to assess if there will be any potential negative consequences, and if there are, to make sure that "the cure is not worse than the disease". Con PS. Just to get back to the sustainability question. If a kg of apples gives the consumer 2300 kJ of energy, then it is no longer sustainable to eat these apples if it takes more than 2300kJ to produce the apples. If the apples are grown in your back yard, then clearly it does not take as much energy to go out and pick and eat one as the energy you will get from it. If you had to walk 1000 miles to get it, then you would probably starve on the way, so this is not a good proposition. If a truck has to drive 1000 miles to get them, the situation becomes less clear, especially when you consider the energy that had to be put into growing the fruits, spraying them, picking them, and so forth. By rough calculation, if an apple has to travel more than 3000 road miles in a fully-laden truck to get to market, it is costing more energy to make its journey, than the final consumer is getting by eating it.
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 28 March 2007 16:05 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Time article (More on same) Bill: Do you have a spray program controlling scab on other varieties? And my addition to many previous comments of recent weeks. Reistance to apple scab offers considerable help to growers that can market those varieties. Consider the potential benefit(s) of fire blight resistance in apple and pear, whether it is natural of GMO. Chris Doll -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Wed, 28 Mar 2007 8:57 AM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Time article (More on same) Gary I'm not aware of apple scab resistance having developed against Vf the Vf gene, specifically the PRI varieties. I have had Pristine, Enterprise, Dayton, Liberty, Redfree and Goldrush planted here for 10 years and they are very clean. Perhaps others can correct me. Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html > There have been several postings about Vf resistant scab being a > > possibility > since most resistant varieties share this gene. However, these varieties > have been around for quite a while now--is there any information about > resistance showing up anywhere? Is there something different about Vf > resistance that would save it from what happened to Baldwin or Bramley? > > Gary Mount, Grower > Princeton, NJ > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Bill Shoemaker" < [EMAIL PROTECTED] > <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(> > > To: "Apple-Crop" < [email protected] > <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(> > > Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 7:05 AM > Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Time article (More on same) > > >> Steve >> >> I've been growing Liberty and Pristine for about 10 years on B9 for >> evaluation in northern Illinois. It's taken awhile to appreciate them. >> >> But >> last year we had a very nice crop of Pristine. For the first time, I > really >> enjoyed them. Flavor was great, flesh color and texture were very good >> >> for >> such an early apple (second week of August). I gave quite a few away and >> people were very fond of them. But Liberty has not developed the culinary >> quality I would want in a fresh apple. What are the characteristics of >> Liberty that you find compelling? >> >> Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops >> University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center >> www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html >> >> >> >> The apples I rely most on are all products of breeding >> >>programs, and the two I would most loath giving up are PRI varieties: >> >>Liberty and Pristine. >> >> > Steve Demuth >> > Decorah, Iowa >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > - >> >> >> The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard >> < http://www.virtualorchard.net <http://www.virtualorchard.net/> > and >> managed by Win Cowgill and Jon >> Clements < [EMAIL PROTECTED] <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(> >. >> >> Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent >> "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for >> the content. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard > < http://www.virtualorchard.net <http://www.virtualorchard.net/> > and > managed by Win Cowgill and Jon > Clements < [EMAIL PROTECTED] <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(> >. > > Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent > "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for > the content. > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard < http://www.virtualorchard.net <http://www.virtualorchard.net/> > and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements < [EMAIL PROTECTED] <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(> >. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content. _____ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at <http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615326657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redir=http://www.aol.com> AOL.com.
