Scientific responsible: Józefa Kapsa, D.Sc., Asoc. Prof. IHAR-PIB
In sub-activity IA2.4 it is expected that development of Decision Support Systems (DSSs) within ENDURE can contribute to optimization and reduction of the use of pesticides. During creation of a novel DSS it is necessary to remember that losses in crop yield due to pests, pathogens and weeds differ in time and localization. Additionally different treatment options have different impact on different agrophages under different meteorological conditions.
Milestones in M6-18 and forthcoming M19-30 in IA2.4 sub-activity have been divided into problem groups:
In M6-12 a big effort was made in order to achieve consensus for allocation of tasks and responsibilities among IA2.4 sub-activity partners. Each participant was assigned with 1-4 countries to conduct the survey in. On the workshop 4-5 June 2007 in Wageningen (Netherland) methodologies for the survey on the DSSs, such as identification of criteria to include in a survey on the DSS, methodology and sources for data collection and data form were discussed and identified.
Jozefa Kapsa, D.Sc. as an IHAR researcher was assigned to collect data for the surveys from 4 countries (Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). The survey of the existing DSSs for protection of various crops in the above mentioned countries was done on the basis of websites, references, personal communication and contacts. The countries which have been appointed for IHAR were poorly represented in decision systems. Detailed collection of only two reports (filled in data forms) was prepared: Po_SPEC (for stem cancer in oilseed rape) and Po_IPM-DSS (LB in potato, pests and diseases in winter- and spring wheat, weeds in spring wheat).
Generally, 67 reports on the DDSs developed for different crop/pest systems in different countries were collected by sub-activity participant in 2007. Two institutions: BBA and IHAR volunteered in the work of IA2.4 in 2007, and consequently some tasks have been allocated for them in the proposal for JPA in M13-30.
In M13-18, 58 of received reports on the existing DSS for crop protection were divided into 4 groups according to major pest groups covered by the DSSs (diseases in arable crops, diseases in horticultural crops, insects, weeds). Analyse of received 15 DSS-reports on pests in all crops have been carried out jointly by Jozefa Kapsa from IHAR (Pl) and Samuel Nibouche from CIRAD (Fr). The reports have been analysed for modelling approaches, potentials for reduction of pesticide use, communication with users and access by the Internet, potentials for unification. Additional task for J.Kapsa and S.Nibouche was to conduct quality audit on analyses of DSS-reports on diseases in horticultural crops.
Jozefa Kapsa D.Sc. participated in a pan-European workshop entitled ‘Progress and prospects with the implementation of the DSS for crop protection Europe', which took place in Flakkebjerg, Denmark on 17-19 March 2008. Results of the 15 pest reports' analyse were presented on the workshop. After discussion during the workshop, special emphasis was put on identification of ‘best parts' of the presented DSSs for unification on an European level within the following crop/pest groups: 1) late blight in potatoes, 2) diseases in horticultural crops, 3) diseases in arable crops, 4) pests 5) weeds. Jozefa Kapsa was a moderator and a key person appointed to lead discussion of sub-workshop ‘Late blight in potato'. During the meeting IA2.4 participants discussed provisionally future activities for the DSSs case after 18 months.
Initial task for forthcoming M19-30 is the identification of ‘best parts' of the existing DSSs and maybe suggestions of overall requirements for and/or structuring of new DSSs. During ENDURE Annual Meeting 15-17.10.2008 in La Grande Motte, France Jozefa Kapsa D.Sc. will also present papers entitled ‘Identification of ‘best parts' of the existing DSSs for crop protection for unification on an European level: Late blight in potato'. IA 2.4 partners will discuss a work plan and divide tasks and responsibilities for the next months of the project:
Taking into consideration the peculiarity of crop/pest systems some tasks, concerning prototyping of the DSSs (eg. biological models, decision algorithms etc.), will be allocated into sub-groups after M24. However, in order to protect common focus points, system structure and terminology, some tasks are going to be done all together.
All the activities conducted so far show that the opportunities concerning construction and validation of the DSSs for crop protection are promising. They lead to the reduction of use of the pesticides. Additional research will be needed in order to better some of the biological models (and their components connected) with changes of pathogen/pest populations.
