Current status of apple orchards and their suitability to the organic production system in Urmia

In order to understand the current status of apple orchards and their suitability to the organic principles, this research was conducted in 11 main apple growing sites in Urmia during 2008-2011. An analytical and descriptive research method was used to collect necessary data through interview, observations as well as by random distribution of questionnaires with 44 variables among 366 apple growers. Frequency distribution, correlation and multivariate analysis of variance was used for analysis of data. There were significant differences between and within sites in terms of all variables. Suitability of apple orchards to the organic principles was determined 30-80 percent in terms of membership in cooperatives, orchard area, second job, working time, tendency of growers to organic, orchard fertilization, access to river water, soil depth, pesticide usage and orchard floor management. Considering 91.8 percent of orchards located in plains as well as mismanagement of the apple orchards, especially in view of the severity of pruning and shoots over-growth and flood irrigation, the whole region showed lower suitability for organic production. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.12) was observed between education level and the tendency of growers towards organic production, indicating lack of organic educations among growers. Based on the results, production of organic apple in some elevated parts of the region is possible and its successfulness depends on supplementary studies in terms of defining standards, contraction with growers as well as continuous monitoring on the production and marketing process.