PPO’s Fruit Research Unit provides support to fruit growers in the Netherlands and abroad in the form of research aimed at providing practical solutions to problems in the entire production chain. Our research takes into account societal developments regarding environment and sustainable production.
We collaborate with fruit research organizations in the Netherlands and in other countries.
The transfer and practical implementation of knowledge form an important part of our research projects.
PPO has expert knowledge on cultivars, cultivation, soil, fertilization, crop protection, harvesting techniques, storage, and economics of all fruit cultivars grown in the Netherlands. This enables an integrated approach of research questions from different fields.
Our research facilities at Randwijk include a large test orchard, laboratories for quality testing and modern storage facilities. The strength of these integrated facilities is that fruit quality can be monitored throughout the production chain from tree to consumer. PPO also collaborates closely with other Wageningen UR research organizations. This enables us to make use of existing knowledge and apply it quickly to new research questions
Focus of research
The Fruit Research Unit Fruit of PPO designs innovative and sustainable cultivation systems for both integrated and organic fruit production. Innovation is based on high-quality, disease-resistant cultivars with good flavour. We devote a lot of attention to the sustainability of resistance characteristics. We developed a resistance management strategy for apple scab which should considerably reduce the risk of a breakdown in resistance.
We have also been studying organic an production organic production system with the scab-resistant varieties Santana and Topaz. This project, also including the Concorde pear variety, will be extended to include two test farms.
Together with various market partners from the fruit sector the Fruit Research Unit is developing and testing new fruit cultivars, (eating) quality and storage quality. In addition to eating quality and shelf life, aspects such as resistance and reduced susceptibility to important fungal diseases in orchards (scab, fruit tree canker and mildew) are important aspects. Susceptibility to important pests (e.g. aphids) and storage rot play an important role in the evaluation of cultivars.
The perspectives for biological alternatives for pest and disease control are widening. PPO in Randwijk also focuses on developing alternatives for the chemicals used for fruit thinning and growth regulation. We are studying root pruning and controlled deficit irrigation to influence growth and fruit development.
Wide-ranging expertise
PPO conducts - also confidential - research for farmers and businesses (individually and collectively) and for authorities. PPO's strength is a multifaceted approach of research questions in the field of crop protection, weed control, fertilization, product quality, cultivation climate, sustainable production, process automation, management systems, storage, labor, entrepreneurship and management, sector development and agricultural nature management. PPO is unique in its ability to conduct studies multidisciplinary as well as across sectors. This of course with a favorable price-quality ratio. We conduct our research in close collaboration with farmers/ growers and other organizations in agriculture and horticulture.
We do research for individuals, businesses, and authorities. Research questions are first analyzed together with the customer. Possible directions for solutions are discussed. Before a study is started we discuss the form of the desired output with the customer.