S15 - Session O2 - EcoPêche 2 project : Conceive and evaluate innovative peach orchard management systems designed to reduce TFI by 80%

Authors: J.Ruesch *, Yannick Montrognon, Baptiste Labeyrie, Myriam Codini, Eric Holstalnou, Stéphanie Drusch, Julie Borg, Daniel Plenet, Valérie Gallia, M. Guiraud, Christophe Mouiren, Philippe Blanc

EcoPeche 2 (2019-2023) project is financed by the OFB (French Biodiversity Agency) within the framework of the ECOPHYTO Plan and DEPHY farm network. EcoPeche 2 Project follows a previous INRAe - CTIFL co-led project, called EcoPeche 1 (2013-2018), whose aim was to reduce the Treatment Frequency Index (TFI) by 50%. The first project demonstrated that the TFI reduction of 50% could be achieved but the agronomic and techno-economic results decreased to varying degrees depending on the cultivar, the climate conditions and the pest and disease pressure. This project aims to conceive and evaluate innovative peach orchard management systems designed to reduce TFI by 80% compared to a conventional management system. Other objectives are to produce pesticide residue free fruits, using a maximum of 4 "non biocontrol" products and no herbicides. The project involves 6 partners. Innovative orchard management systems are compared on environmental, agronomic and techno-economic performance. At the CTIFL research center of Balandran (Bellegarde, Gard, France), the experiment is being carried out on 2 cultivars (cv. KINOLEA and cv. PAJALADE). Tested levers focus on tree shape, density, irrigation system and rain covers to protect the trees until harvest. "Non-biocontrol" plant protection products are used as a last resort. Woven foil is laid on the ground for weed management. Fruits undergo thermotherapy after harvest to reduce losses generated by Monilia. First mid-term results show that the environmental objectives can be achieved (TFI reduction compared to IFP: -66 to -74% in 2019; - 69 to -81 % in 2020; -93 % in 2021); but involve a loss (-40 to -50 % in yield/ha) or irregularity of production and high investment for specific levers. This project highlights how complex it is to attempt to develop new orchard management systems, taking into account environmental issues.