Anton Sebastian, apple and chestnut grower

Anton Sebastian Santer, Lana (Bolzano, Italy) 

An organic fruit-growing farm specialising in apple and chestnut production for the wholesale market, as well as Pinot Noir grapes intended for juice production.

In April 2008, the farm began using BioAksxter® on all its crops. In apple orchards, the main objective was to resolve the problem of apple proliferation disease, which had affected 20% of the trees over the previous two years and reduced yields to 280 quintals per hectare. In chestnut cultivation, BioAksxter® was used both to increase fruit size and yields and to protect the centuries-old chestnut orchard from the spread of chestnut blight. 

Close-up of an apple tree affected by apple proliferation disease. 

Centuries-old chestnut tree affected by bark cankers. 

In June 2008, after two months of using BioAksxter®, more vigorous vegetative growth was observed, together with reduced chlorosis in apple trees affected by apple proliferation disease and improved development of trees planted in previous years. 

June 2008. Apple orchard affected by apple proliferation disease, showing no chlorosis after two months of treatment with BioAksxter®. 

June 2008. Apple tree in its third growing season. After two months of treatment with BioAksxter®, shoot growth had doubled compared with the previous year. 

June 2008. Apple tree in its third growing season, characterised by vigorous vegetative growth after two months of treatment with BioAksxter®. 

In October 2008, at the end of the first growing season with BioAksxter®, fruit size was uniform, rejection rates had decreased and productivity had been restored in 60–70% of the trees affected by apple proliferation disease. Apple yields increased by more than 20%, reaching 340 quintals per hectare. 

September 2008. Organic Golden Delicious orchard in its third growing season, during the first year of treatment with BioAksxter®. 

September 2008. Apple trees affected by apple proliferation disease that had returned to production during the first year of treatment with BioAksxter®. 

September 2008. Organic Red Delicious orchard during the first year of treatment with BioAksxter®. 

September 2008. Organic Red Delicious orchard during the first year of treatment with BioAksxter®, showing particularly high uniformity in fruit size. 

In 2009 and 2010, the second and third years of cultivation with BioAksxter®, results improved further: 

• Young apple trees, including those planted in early June, were characterised by vigorous vegetative growth.
• Enhanced natural plant defences reduced the development of powdery mildew, apple scab and downy mildew, even under adverse weather conditions. 

June 2010. Organic apple orchard immediately after planting, during the third year of cultivation with BioAksxter®. 

September 2010. Organic apple orchard three months after planting, during the third year of cultivation with BioAksxter®. 

May 2010. Organic apple orchard during the third year of treatment with BioAksxter®, characterised by excellent plant health despite adverse weather conditions. 

May 2010. Organic Pinot Noir vineyard during the third year of treatment with BioAksxter®, characterised by excellent plant health despite adverse weather conditions. 

• The grapes were characterised by excellent plant health and were harvested at approximately 20 °Babo.
• Vegetative growth in chestnut trees improved. Yields increased considerably, with larger chestnuts and improved flavour. 

September 2009. Organic Pinot Noir vineyard during the second year of treatment with BioAksxter®, showing the excellent health of the grapes. 

June 2010. Organic chestnut cultivation during the third year of treatment with BioAksxter®, showing a centuries-old tree with vigorous vegetative growth. 

September 2010. Organic chestnut cultivation during the third year of treatment with BioAksxter®, showing a centuries-old tree bearing particularly large chestnut burrs. 

• Almost all apple trees previously affected by apple proliferation disease returned to production. In 2010, yields reached 350 quintals per hectare, representing a 25% increase since BioAksxter® was introduced into the farm's agronomic practices. 

Apple trees previously affected by apple proliferation disease whose productivity was restored through the use of BioAksxter®. 

Organic Royal Gala orchard during the third year of treatment with BioAksxter®, characterised by high quality and productivity. 

Organic Golden Delicious orchard during the third year of treatment with BioAksxter®, characterised by high quality and productivity. 

The grower, fully satisfied with the results achieved with BioAksxter®, was pleased to report that the superior quality of his agricultural produce was recognised by both traders and consumers.