Downy mildew results in severe loss in grapevines. Downy mildew is highly destructive in all grape-growing areas of the world. The symptoms, caused by the fungus Plasmopara viticola, firstly appear on the grape leaves 7-10 days after infection. Foliar symptoms appear as yellow circular spots with an oily appearance (oil spots). In order to control the pathogen, approved pesticides are used. The downy mildew model estimates infection from an organism’s using cardinal temperatures (Tmin, Topt, Tmax) and leaf surface wetness duration requirements for infection (Wmin, Wmax). The parameter Wmax provides an upper boundary on the value of W since temperature is not always a limiting factor. The model is based upon a temperature response function which is scaled to the leaf wetness duration requirement. Hours of interruption to wetness are also important for estimation of infection from hourly weather data so this is also used as an input. The output of the model is normalized from 0-100, with 0 being the lowest risk index and 100 the highest. As mentioned, the model uses Tmin (°C), Tmax (°C), Topt (°C), Leaf Wetness min (hr) and Leaf Wetness max (hr) which are all recorded by the local weather stations. The DSS is created in Greece and part of the integrated “Gaiasense” smart-farming solution. The prediction model is developed based on literature reviews and adaptations through experiments and observation on local conditions. This means that the model is not yet validated in other countries and results should be treated with caution.
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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.