Detection of fruit pests with special search dogs

Training man's best friend to detect diseases and pests on apple orchards at an early stage.

The project investigated whether dogs could be trained to detect fruit canker, a pest that affects 90–95% of Sweden's apple orchards. The goal was to develop an ecological method that could identify the infection at an early stage, before visible damage, which would benefit fruit growers economically and ecologically. The project also aimed to highlight the potential of detection dogs in conservation work and increase entrepreneurship in dog businesses.

Over two years, eight search dogs and their handlers were trained according to a comprehensive training plan. The training was carried out in nose labs, training facilities and orchards in Skåne, in collaboration with Kiviks Musteri and researchers from SLU. In total, almost 3,000 training hours were invested by the participants. The dogs were trained to identify fruit tree canker using specially developed scent tags. In addition to the training, the project was documented on social media, and the experiences were presented at four lectures. The project received significant media coverage and was awarded the 2024 Golden Apple of the Year award.

The project showed that dogs can identify fruit tree canker, even at very low concentrations of spores. The organic approach reduces the need for chemical pesticides and improves the sustainability of fruit orchards. The method has the potential to prevent the planting of infected trees and increase the quality and sustainability of harvests. The project gave hope to the fruit growing industry and inspired further research and training of more conservation dogs. International interest was aroused, and the project plans continued development, including collaboration with actors in the Netherlands. The project was also nominated for the SLU Alnarp and Sparbanken Skåne Innovation Prize 2024.

This is an exciting and interesting project, with broad support among growers, research and industry. In the long term, it benefits the public, that is, consumers, on a broad front. Organically, growers are provided with an opportunity to detect pests in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. Which in turn can lead to a reduced need for pesticides in cultivation.