By Jamie Martin
Antibiotics are essential tools in fruit farming, yet their role in plant agriculture receives less attention than their use in human or animal health. A new study explores how apple growers may respond to uncertainty about future antibiotic regulations and how those responses could affect disease control and farm income.
One of the most serious threats to apple orchards is fire blight, a bacterial disease that damages blossoms, leaves, and fruit. Without proper control, fire blight can destroy large portions of an orchard. Growers rely on antibiotics such as streptomycin to protect trees during bloom, especially during high-risk years when disease pressure is strong.
“The majority of antibiotics in plant agriculture are used on fire blight in pear and apple orchards. Growers face a dilemma, because they must treat their trees to protect them, but they run the risk of overusing the pesticides, so the disease develops resistance,” said lead author Khashi Ghorbani, doctoral candidate in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois.
Although antibiotics are currently allowed in U.S. orchards, future restrictions remain possible. The study examined how growers might manage antibiotic use when faced with uncertainty about a potential ban. Researchers compared two contrasting approaches. One approach reflects growers who continue normal application practices without changing long-term plans.
“The U.S. already has numerous federal and state restrictions on other pesticides and fungicides, so a ban on streptomycin is quite possible,” said co-author Shadi Atallah, associate professor in ACE.
The second approach represents growers who increase antibiotic use before a possible ban, aiming to gain maximum benefit while the product remains available. Results show that this proactive strategy only works if a ban is actually enforced. If regulations do not change, heavy use can reduce antibiotic effectiveness, leading to higher disease risk in future years.
The study also shows that apple variety value matters. Growers producing lower-value apples are more affected by policy uncertainty because losses are harder to recover. Higher-value varieties provide stronger financial protection, allowing growers to better manage regulatory risks.
Overall, the findings demonstrate how uncertain policies influence farm decisions and long-term sustainability. The research helps growers plan ahead and provides useful insight for policymakers considering future regulations on antibiotic use in plant agriculture.
Photo Credit: istock-rixipix
Categories: National