Applications of Organic Fungicides Reduce Photosynthesis and Fruit Quality of Apple Trees

Two different pest control programs were applied on 8-year-old 'Ryoka'/M. 26 apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.). Lime sulfur or Bordeaux mixture with emulsified oil were applied 12 times from late March to mid-September as organic treatment, and synthetic chemicals were 7 times applied as control treatment. Over the entire apple-growing season, photosynthesis rates of apple trees were significantly lower in the organic treatment than in the control, and this photosynthetic differences were larger in July and August. Photosynthesis-related parameters such as stomatal conductance and transpiration behaved similarly to photosynthesis. The leaf area in the organic treatment was significantly smaller (24.7 cm(2)) than that in the control treatment (30.7 cm(2)). Organic leaves contained significantly less Chl. a (15.5 mg.g(-1)) than did control leaves (17.6 mg.g(-1)). Fruit yield per tree was significantly lower in the organic treatment (18.8 kg) than in the control (24.5 kg), because organic fruits experienced a higher rate of disease infection such as white rot (Botryosphaeria dothidae) and bitter rot (Glomerella cingulata) than did control fruits. Organic fruits had high flesh firmness but less color development (lower Hunter's a values). In this experiment, the pest control program with frequent applications of organic fungicides showed negative effects on photosynthesis and disease infection on leaves and fruits, and thus reduce the fruit quality and yield in 'Ryoka'/M. 26 apple trees.