Effect of polythene Tunnels and Cultivars on Grey Mould Caused by Botrytis cinerea in Organically Grown Strawberries

The effect of covering the crop with polythene tunnels on Botrytis fruit rot was investigated. Two cultivars were grown organically in three field experiments during 2001-2003. Botrytis cinerea is a major threat to strawberry cultivation in the field, especially when the crop is grown organically. Control of the disease in organic strawberry crops depends merely on prevention. Botrytis infection risk depends on humidity and temperature. Under optimal temperature conditions leaf wetness period necessary for infection of strawberry flowers decreases (Bulger et al., 1997). Prevention or shortening of the leaf wetness period might help to reduce infection risk of strawberries. Cv. Elsanta proved less susceptible to B. cinerea than cv. Darselect, thus choosing an appropriate cultivar is a helpful means to control grey mould. Covering the crop with polythene tunnels effectively reduced the infection risk of B. cinerea on strawberry flowers. Mechanisms to regulate the temperature in the tunnel are necessary to ensure fruit quality and should be investigated further

Detection of Latent Potato Late Blight by Hyperspectral Imaging

Phytophthora infestans causes late-blight in potatoes. Without control P. infestans causes severe damage to the foliage and tubers, leading to yield loss. A way to suppress the disease without chemical control would be to remove the primary inoculumm sources originating from infected seed tubers or oospores in the soil. These latently diseased plants, if detected before symptom expression and sporulation, could be removed. To do so early detection is required. A pot-experiment to detect latent late blight using hyperspectral imaging was conducted. Several inoculation rates and both spray inoculation and point inoculation were used. The spectral signature of the soon to die tissue was learned which enabled early detection of latent potato late blight, well before it was detectable by a trained human eye

Review : Holistic pest management against early blight disease towards sustainable agriculture

Alternaria species are well-known aggressive pathogens that are widespread globally and warmer temperatures caused by climate change might increase their abundance more drastically. Early blight (EB) disease, caused mainly by Alternaria solani, and brown spot, caused by Alternaria alternata, are major concerns in potato, tomato and eggplant production. The development of EB is strongly linked to varieties, crop development stages, environmental factors, cultivation and field management. Several forecasting models for pesticide application to control EB were created in the last century and more recent scientific advances have included modern breeding technology to detect resistant genes and precision agriculture with hyperspectral sensors to pinpoint damage locations on plants. This paper presents an overview of the EB disease and provides an evaluation of recent scientific advances to control the disease. First of all, we describe the outline of this disease, encompassing biological cycles of the Alternaria genus, favorite climate and soil conditions as well as resistant plant species. Second, versatile management practices to minimize the effect of this pathogen at field level are discussed, covering their limitations and pitfalls. A better understanding of the underlying factors of this disease and the potential of novel research can contribute to implementing integrated pest management systems for an ecofriendly farming system.</p

Data from: Early detection of phytophthora using hyperspectral imaging pot-leaf experiment.

Potato plants were inoculated with Phytopthora infestance. The plants were imaged with a hyperspectral camera from above and from the side. Apart from that the plants were visual monitored by an expert. The data is collected in datasheet_leafsandstems.csv</p

Data from: Early detection of phytophthora using hyperspectral imaging pot-leaf experiment.

Potato plants were inoculated with Phytopthora infestance. The plants were imaged with a hyperspectral camera from above and from the side. Apart from that the plants were visual monitored by an expert. The data is collected in datasheet_leafsandstems.csv</p

Data from: Early detection of phytophthora using hyperspectral imaging pot-tuber experiment

In this experiment 3 x 15 potato plants were inoculated with phytophthora infestance and imaged with a hyperspectral camera. Along with that the plants where observed by an expert.</p

Data from: Early detection of phytophthora using hyperspectral imaging pot-tuber experiment

In this experiment 3 x 15 potato plants were inoculated with phytophthora infestance and imaged with a hyperspectral camera. Along with that the plants where observed by an expert.</p

Development and validation of IPM strategies for the cultivation of cisgenically modified late blight resistant potato

Potato late blight disease remains the primary stressor of commercial potato production across the EU, typically requiring >10 fungicide applications per growing season to offset crop losses. In response, the goal of this study was to test and validate a novel, more durable, control strategy for potato late blight. This IPM2.0 strategy is based on the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which sees the deployment of a late blight resistant potato genotype, a cisgenically modified, Desiree based resistant potato line here, in conjunction with pathogen population monitoring for virulence to the resistance genes (R genes) deployed and a “do not spray unless”, low input fungicide spray strategy. Field evaluations were completed in the Netherlands and in Ireland in 2013, 2014 and in Ireland in 2015. Comparators used in this study included the original but susceptible potato variety Desiree and the conventional but highly resistant variety Sarpo Mira. The novel IPM2.0 strategy was compared to local common practice (fungicide applications on a near weekly basis) and an untreated control. Overall, the IPM2.0 control strategy validated here reduced the average fungicide input by 80–90% without compromising control efficacy. Corresponding environmental side-effects were reduced proportionally. The results underline the pragmatic role host resistance can provide to commercial potato production systems and to society at large if employed as part of an integrated late blight control system