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MATPROG-Matprogrammet: Norsk mat fra sjø og land

Effective and sustainable control strategies for downy mildews in onion, lettuce and cucumber in Norway

Awarded: NOK 5.2 mill.

Downy mildew infections in vegetable crops cause leaf lesions with subsequent crop losses. The project aims to improve the control of downy mildews of high value field grown lettuce, onion and cucumber in Norway through development of disease forecasting systems. These three crops have approx. annually a wholesale value of NOK 150,000,000. Downy mildew pathogens are specific for each of the three crops and may cause severe crop losses. Despite cultural practices and breeding for resistance, chemical co ntrol remains the most effective and economic measure currently used to protect crops from downy mildews. Downy mildew epidemics are difficult to predict and varies from year to year. A better timing of fungicide applications through development of forec asting systems for downy mildews will provide a more sustainable production of field vegetables. The project will use disease observations, meteorological data, spore traps and molecular methods (PCR) for studying long distance transport of inoculum (sp orangia) to Norway. PCR will also be used in studies of resting spores (oospores) in soil. Influence of climate, including the effect of light on sporulation and infection of these pathogens will also be an important task in the project. Available forec asting models for downy mildews will be evaluated and adjusted according to the epidemiology of the diseases in Norwegian climatic conditions. Field-testing of forecasting models will also include evaluation of fungicides. At the end of the project op erational forecasting systems for downy mildews will be made available for farmers via the web-based warning system VIPS (http://www.vips-landbruk.no).

Funding scheme:

MATPROG-Matprogrammet: Norsk mat fra sjø og land