Online disease and pest forecasting

Article taken from South East Farmer Magazine

The company’s qualified BASIS and FACTS fruit team offers advice on fruit production, with access to conventional and biological controls backed up by Agrovista’s research and development programme.

Agrovista is also investing in new technology to help growers achieve even better nutrition, irrigation and crop protection programmes while meeting the increasing demands of inputs legislation, protocols and consumer expectation. Key among these offerings is grower’s choice interactive (GCI), an online disease and pest forecasting service available to top fruit growers. It has already proved itself in many orchards around the country, helping growers achieve more timely, cost effective control of apple scab and codling moth. Now can also improve control of fireblight and canker. GCI is based on thorough monitoring of crops coupled with the latest computer modelling techniques to ensure efficient, timely and effective use of chemicals. The service uses live weather data from a network of stations, coupled with pest and disease prediction software, to produce live graphs indicating risk of infection/attack. Both programmes help ensure sprays are applied when needed. This can help reduce overall use, is good for the pocket and the environment and helps growers conform to assured produce schemes and minimise residues, Mr Radu concludes.