Integrated fruit production

Science programme: Applied entomology

Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) is a system introduced to growers to lessen dependence on pesticides. HortResearch had a key role in devising the system. The New Zealand fruit industry has seen a rapid uptake of IFP production programmes over the last seven years.

The New Zealand pipfruit IFP programme commenced in 1996 and was adopted industry-wide within four seasons. It is now the minimum standard for apples exported from New Zealand. IFP implementation has led to a 50 percent reduction in insecticide use and a 95 percent reduction in organophosphate (OP) insecticide use. The programme has increased grower adoption of insecticide and fungicide resistance management strategies and miticide use is rare.

The pipfruit IFP model has been used as the basis to develop similar programmes in other fruit crops, most notably for process peaches and more recently fresh market nectarines, cherries and apricots. The New Zealand wine grape industry has also implemented a sustainable production programme that follows most aspects of the IFP philosophy. IFP in New Zealand will continue to evolve to meet customer requirements and will likely target residue-free production as future strategy.