The use of forecasting model iMETOS® for strawberry grey mould management

Abstract

Traditionally, management of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) diseases is based on chemical control; however, because of the high cost of pesticides and their adverse environmental effects, it is essential to determine the correct application timing. Disease forecasting models calculate optimal conditions for disease development, therefore model-based applications of fungicides are more precise. This study aimed to evaluate how to apply fungicides more precisely by using grey mould (Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr.) risk forecasting model iMETOS ® in order to reduce the number of applications, to obtain yield increase and ensure the safety and quality of strawberries. Field experiments were carried out at Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry during 2008-2014 on a strawberry cultivar 'Elkat'. The experimental treatments were: 1) untreated, 2) conventional disease management system and 3) using forecasting model iMETOS ® . The experimental data indicated that the most favourable conditions for the spread of strawberry grey mould occurred in the 3 rd -4 th week of May and in the 1 st week of June. The application time as determined by the forecasting model iMETOS ® , gave yield increases in 2008-2014 of 0.9, 9.5, 1.0, 2.8, 4.3 and 3.2 t ha -1 , respectively, compared to the control treatment. In 2008-2014, the yield increase in the conventional disease management treatment was 3.2, 7.0, 3.5, 2.8, 2.7 and 2.7 t ha -1 higher compared to the control treatment. In 2009, the yield increases in the iMETOS ® treatment were 2.5 t ha -1 , in 2013 -1.6 t ha -1 and in 2014 -0.5 t ha -1 compared with the conventional disease management treatment. In 2011, there was no yield increase; the yield was similar in both treatments. In the iMETOS ® treatments, the amount of rotten fruit was 0.7, 2.3, 0.7, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.6 t ha -1 lower than in the control treatment. Fungicide application according to the recommendations of the forecasting model iMETOS ® allows reduction of plant protection costs, especially when the conditions for the spread of diseases are not favourable.

The Extracts of Cinnamon and Clove as Potential Biofungicides against Strawberry Grey Mould

“…2 RT-retention time. 3 Consists of compounds that were less than 0.1% of the quantity of the extract. The inhibition of B. cinerea by clove extract is shown in Figure 2.…”

“…Grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea has a significant economic impact on plant production for a variety of different crops [1][2][3][4][5]. Strawberry is one of the hosts and can be damaged during different growth stages.…”

“…The application of the plant extracts as biocontrols on strawberry plants could be a preventative measure to avoid the contamination of fruits, soil and water with chemical residues, as the majority of the extracts are biodegradable and non-toxic. Various alternative ways for the control of Botrytis cinerea and other fungal pathogens in greenhouse and field conditions have been investigated [3,[38][39][40]. The effectiveness of microbial biocontrol agents and seaweed extract was previously studied on strawberry leaves [41][42][43].…”

The Use of Essential Oils from Thyme, Sage and Peppermint against Colletotrichum acutatum

“…Strawberry anthracnose causes yield losses of up to 50% and plant death up to 80% and was considered to be a warmer climate zone pathogen, where the optimal temperature is from 15 to 30 °C, with optimal 25 °C temperature [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Strawberry diseases are controlled by several fungicide applications [ 6 , 7 ]. The growing resistance to pesticides and their adverse environmental effects leads to a new environmentally-safe disease control strategy [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Growing pathogens resistance occurs because of the extensive use of chemical pesticides for plant protection. The new sources of natural active ingredients for plant protection may solve pesticide resistance problems and reduce environmental and food contamination [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 28 ]. This study aims to evaluate the inhibition of C. acutatum by thyme, sage, and peppermint EO in vitro also on the detached strawberry leaves, and determine EO chemical composition.…”