ViteBio.net: a web-based Decision Support System for downy mildew management in organic vineyards

A DSS (Decision Support System) called ViteBio.net was developed for guiding decision about tactical management of downy mildew in organic vineyards. The DSS is available for registered users via the internet in an interactive way. Weather data and vineyard-specific information are the main input for a set of mathematical models able to predict the biological events relevant for decision making. Data of temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and leaf wetness are collected by weather stations and wireless sensors, and sent to a database via GPRS at hourly intervals; 72-h weather forecast are also generated. Vineyard-specific information, including a register of the vine-management options already applied that influence future decisions (e.g., fungicides used, rates, etc.), are inputted by the user. Output provides information on: (i) current weather conditions and 3-days forecasts; (ii) risk indexes for primary and secondary infections of Plasmopara viticola; (iii) suggested dose of copper based products. Two weather-driven, mechanistic, dynamic models are used to provide the following disease risk indexes: dynamic of the oospore population; highlight of the main events for primary infections (oospores germination, zoospores release and dispersal, infection establishment and incubation period ending); infection efficiency; epidemic pressure of primary infections; fitness of the sporulating infection sites; secondary inoculum availability; relative severity of secondary infection and, finally, epidemic pressure of secondary infections across the season. The suggested dose to be applied is calculated based on disease risk, grapevine growth stage, leaf development after the previous fungicide application, the plant row volume, and the characteristics of the commercial product used (the system is calibrated for the fungicides of Sumitomo Chemicals Co., Ltd, which is partner of the ViteBio.net project). ViteBio.net has a user friendly interface that makes it possible to readily input vineyard-specific information and obtain supports for decision making. Different users can access information at different levels of complexity, depending on their role (i.e., providers, advisors, or growers). Each year, experimental sites are managed so as to compare advantages arising from using the DSS in comparison with the usual grower’s practice.