In this project, resilient apple and pear varieties are evaluated on their suitability for organic farming and the organic market. This is a two-step evaluation: Exact trials at FiBL in two processes (1. standard plant protection with thinning the leaves and 2. reduced plant protection without thinning the leaves). Varieties that look promising to the "variety team" (breeders, variety testers, producers, trade and final sale) will be further evaluated on three to four organic fruit farms (ca. 2000-3000 trees per variety), including storage behaviour and acceptance by consumers. Should this hurdle be overcome too, the variety will be recommended for wider organic agricultural production.
