Potato late blight is caused by Phytophthora infestans, a fungus-like microorganism that causes the most devastating disease of potato. It spreads rapidly in the canopy, and can also infect tubers. Protective fungicide treatments are needed to protect the crop when conditions for infection are favourable. Control with help of DSS Potato Late Blight, Naerstad model on platform.ipmdecisions.net. The model predicts if there are favourable conditions for spore production and the following conditions for spread, survival and infection of these spores. The model produces an infection risk, where a value of 2.5 is the threshold where a warning is issued. The model uses temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, radiation, leaf wetness and vapor pressure deficit as input parameters. Assuming spores of potato late blight are present. The DSS shows information about the risk of infection for potato. The risk output: Risk > 2,5 = warning issued. A control measure should be considered based on cultivar resistance, time of last application and choice of fungicide. Risk of infection is highest after several consecutive days with warnings, and especially if late blight has been observed in the area. The DSS was developed by NIBIO in Norway. Reference: Hjelkrem et al. 2021. For other countries it is important to first test in practice before using the DSS for decision support in the control of potato late blight.
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Agricultural run-off and subsurface drainage tiles transport a significant amount of nitrogen and phosphorus leached after fertilization. alchemia-nova GmbH in collaboration with University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna developed two multi-layer vertical filter systems to address the agricultural run-off issue, which has been installed on the slope of an agricultural field in Mistelbach, Austria. While another multi-layer addressing subsurface drainage water is implemented in Gleisdorf, Austria. The goal is to develop a drainage filter system to retain water and nutrients. Both multi-layer filter systems contain biochar and other substrates with adsorption properties of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus). The filter system can be of practical use if an excess of nutrients being washed out is of concern in the fields of the practitioner by keeping the surrounding waters clean. This approach may result in economic value by re-using the saturated biochar as fertilizer and improving the soil structure, thus increasing long-term soil fertility. Link: https://wateragri.eu/a-bio-inspired-multilayer-drainage-system/
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No 858735This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No 858735. FACTSHEET NANOCELLULOSE MEMBRANES FOR NUTRIENT RECOVERY Key information Functionalized nanocellulose membranes can take up nitrate and phosphate. These membranes can be put in a water treatment unit. As the membranes are biobased, degradable materials, they can after use be added to the soil, thus returning the leached nutrients back for their original purpose providing fertilizers (nutrient recycling).
Because variables such as temperature and humidity have a profound effect on the activity of crop pests, diseases and natural enemies, the ability to monitor environmental conditions within a crop has always been important for crop protection.