Delay the Spray: DSS, Late Blight, and Weather
This practice abstract explains how decision support systems use weather data to predict potato late blight risk and optimize spray timing, reducing fungicide applications by 2–3 per season while maintaining disease control and preserving cultivar resistance.
Detail description
This practice abstract details the use of Decision Support Systems (DSS) for managing late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in potato. By analyzing local weather conditions, DSS predict infection events and recommend targeted fungicide applications. Compared with traditional fixed-interval sprays, DSS-guided IPM reduces spray numbers by 2–3 per season without compromising disease control. For resistant cultivars, the system calculates an optimal delay for the first spray based on weather and resistance level, helping to preserve genetic resistance. The Farmmaps BlightApp interface illustrates weather data, infection risk, and spray advice. DSS integration improves environmental outcomes, lowers costs, and sustains yield and quality.
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Contribution detail info
- Project
IPMorama
Integrating breeding for IPM into the deployment landscape for wheat, potatoes and grain legumes
- Location
- Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Europe, United Kingdom
- Authors
- Geert Kessel
- Purpose
- Adopt innovative practices, Implement best practices, Support decision-making and strategic planning
- File type
- document
- Created on
- 05 Feabh 2026
- Origin language
- English
- Official project website
- IPMorama
- License
- CC BY-NC