Abstract
A warning system based on (i) a model that simulates the development of all cohorts of Plasmopara viticola oospores, from oospore germination to infection; (ii) short-term weather forecasts; and (iii) a mobile phone short message system was tested in Northern Italy, from 2006 to 2008. An unsprayed control was compared with a "Warning A" treatment (WA, fungicides were applied whenever the warning system predicted an infection period), a "Warning B" treatment (WB, fungicides were applied as in the WA treatment but only when the relative dimension of any oospore cohort predicted by the model exceeded a threshold), and a "grower" treatment (fungicides were applied according to a conventional schedule). Average disease incidence on leaves was reduced by up to 90% in sprayed plots compared with unsprayed plots. On bunches, efficacy was always >90% at fruit set; when most berries were touching, efficacy was higher for the WA (96%) than for grower (89%) and WB (85%) treatments. On average, 6.8 fungicide sprays were applied following the grower's schedule; use of the warning system reduced applications by about one-half (WA treatment) or two-thirds (WB treatment). The grower's schedule had an average cost of 337 €/ha; the average saving with the WA and the WB treatments was 174 and 224 €/ha, respectively.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.