Agroecology: a strategy for greater orchard sustainability

Agroecology as an approach to solving sustainability challenges in agriculture is receiving increased interest. System redesign that leads to more self-regulation and fewer undesirable impacts represents the ideal, but efficiency and substitution strategies are also important. Advances in detecting and understanding microbiomes, mycorrhizae, and intra-specific signaling offer significant opportunities for development of agroecological knowledge and practices in tree fruits. Much success in biocontrol has already occurred, and more research is needed on the influence of soils and nutrition on plant health and crop protection. Tools such as life cycle assessment can be used to help monitor change in agroecosystems to determine whether sustainability goals are being achieved.