The Benefits of Using a Peach Protection Bag

A peach protection bag is a breathable paper cover that covers individual peaches on a tree, creating a physical barrier between the fruit and external factors such as insects and diseases. Using bags can be an alternative to applying pesticides in organic peach production. Research conducted by David Campbell, a doctoral student at the University of Florida (UF/IFAS), and Danielle Treadwell, an associate professor of horticultural sciences, showed that covering peaches with these simple paper bags reduces injuries from pests and pathogens for organically grown peaches. Bagging is recommended in conjunction with other integrated pest management practices such as foliar sprays and soil applications of kaolin clay.

Bagging is a common practice in Asia, and this research confirmed that it also works for peaches in the hot and humid climate of the Southeast. To test the idea, researchers planted a commercial peach orchard in South Carolina with conventional and organic cultivars, and then used different types of bags to see which ones were most effective. The results were promising. The bags lowered disease incidence and increased peach yield in both orchards.

The key to the success of this method is in the size and placement of the bag. The peaches are covered with a bag that is only slightly larger than the peach itself, and the bag stays on the fruit throughout the growing season until about seven days before harvest. This allows enough light to penetrate the skin of the fruit, which gives it its distinctive color and sweetness.

In addition to protecting the peaches from insect damage and improving their quality, the bags can reduce rot and other problems by preventing rain or hail from touching the fruit. They can even help reduce fruit burn, which is a common problem in organic peaches that are not protected with pesticides.

The paper bags, which are available from several suppliers, come in a variety of colors and sizes to suit different needs. The bag can be easily removed, and its material is food-grade, breathable, and aseptic. The bag can be reused, and it is ideal for gardeners, farmers, and other people who want to protect their crops from insects and diseases.