Integration of mathematical modeling and target‐based application of biocontrol agents for the control of Botrytis cinerea in vineyards

• Published in: Pest management science 2024-09, Vol.80 (9), p.4352-4360
• Main Authors: Altieri, Valeria, Rossi, Vittorio, Fedele, Giorgia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological control; biological control agents; Botrytis cinerea; Calendars; Disease control; Flowering; Fungicides; Grapevines; gray mold; Grey mold; Harvesting; Health risks; Human performance; Latent infection; Mathematical models; mechanistic weather‐driven model; microorganisms; Mold; Pesticides; Prediction models; Predictive control; Risk management; Vineyards; Wineries & vineyards
• ISSN: 1526-498X; 1526-4998; 1526-4998
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.8140

BACKGROUND Biocontrol agents (BCAs) are alternatives to synthetic fungicides with low risk to the environment and human health. Although several studies on the biocontrol of gray mold in vineyards have been performed, it is necessary to improve the usage of BCAs in fields conditions. Therefore, in the present study, BCAs were used both in calendar‐based [based on four growth stages (GSs), i.e., flowering, pre‐bunch closure, veraison, and before harvest] and predictive model‐based strategies (only when Botrytis cinerea infection risk was predicted by the model). The BCAs applied during the seasons were selected considering the grapevine GSs. Treatments performed with BCAs were compared with synthetic fungicide treatments and an untreated control. The trials were conducted in three experimental vineyards with four epidemics. To evaluate the level of gray mold control of each treatment, disease severity was assessed at harvest and the presence of latent infection was evaluated. RESULTS The integrative use of the predictive model and BCAs provided satisfactory levels of gray mold control, with gray mold severity levels significantly lower (P