Overview of the decision support system and fruit growth stages to predict the action threshold in order to control the apple scab in Kosovo

Abstract

The apple scab caused by the fungal pathogen Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) G. Winter is a continuous problem for apple farmers in Kosovo. From this disease, the fruits become scabby brown or black spotty, losing their value. The fruit infection from A. scab requires immediate and multi time treatment. In the agricultural market, there are several plant protection products integrated in to various treatment variants provided by chemical manufacturers to control the apple scab infections. The purpose of this study was to identify the best action threshold based on the prediction of the infection risk provided by one decision support system (DSS RIMpro) and based on the empirical point of view by selecting few fruit growth stages from BBCH scale to control this disease in the research zone. Therefore, two different treatment intervals were used and eight treatment variants consisting of several fungicides were created. The research is carried out in one experimental orchard in cultivation with Starking apple cultivar. Based on analysed disease index on infected fruits, the treatment intervals were compared with each other to conclude the best action threshold for Kosovo conditions.