Onion Botrytis Leaf Blight and Botrytis Leaf Spot Management using Forecasting Model

Botrytis spp. are a polyphagous fungal plant pathogens that causes extensive damage to a wide range of economically important crops worldwide. Even seven Botrytis spp. have been associated with diseases of Allium crops and can reduce yield from 15% up to 50%. The predominantly latent nature of field infections complicates efforts to manage this disease and to predict losses in storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spread of Botrytis leaf spot (Botrytis cinerea risk model) and Botrytis leaf blight (Botrytis squamosa infection model) according to iMETOS (R) sm forecasting system (Pessl Instruments, Austria) at different agro-climatic conditions in various regions of Lithuania in 2011-2012. Assessment of forecasting model data found that in different areas created unequal conditions for the possible spread of Botrytis infection, which is determined by agro-climatic conditions of the area, and each area prediction model data to be assessed individually. The iMETOS (R) sm forecasting model gives the opportunity to optimize the usage of fungicides and reduce the number of applications, therefore allows more efficient and economically accepted control of onions Botrytis leaf blight and Botrytis leaf spot.