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DROPSA "Strategies for the development of effective, innovative and practical approaches to the protection of the most important European fruit crops from pests and pathogens"
The Institute of Horticulture is one of 26 members of the international consortium implementing the DROPSA project, the aim of which is to develop a strategy for the protection of fruit crops against new pests (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura) and quarantine pathogens: Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, Xanthomonas fragariae and X. arboricola pv. pruni, which have been recently introduced to Europe and identified as a major phytosanitary threat posing a serious challenge to fruit production.
Goals:
- To identify pathways for the introduction and spread of D. suzukii and pathogens in the EU and to develop preventive strategies and recommendations to limit the introduction of dangerous pests and pathogens of fruit plants.
- To determine the biology, ecology and interactions of these pests and diseases in different regions of Europe. The research will include a comprehensive assessment of the development cycle, host range, dispersal capacity, identification of natural enemies, plant-pathogen interactions as well as semiochemicals involved in the behaviour of D. suzukii. This knowledge will be the basis for developing practical solutions for sustainable pest management.
- Development of innovative and effective methods of protection using chemicals, semiochemicals, new antibacterial compounds and biological agents, as well as cultivation treatments, insect sterilization techniques and agents with new mechanisms of action. Based on the most promising methods and techniques, an IPM strategy will be developed.
- Development of forecasting and decision support systems and risk determination as an element of integrated fruit plant protection. The effectiveness of proposed fruit crop protection strategies will be assessed and the developed strategies used to support the decision-making process.
