BLIGHT-MOP: Development of a systems approach for the management of late blight in EU organic potato production

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 99.0878-1

Key words (English)

Organic potato production; late blight; Phytophthora infestans;
Agriculture; Economic Aspects; Environmental Protection; Life Sciences; Resources of the Sea; Fisheries

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK5-CT-2000-01065

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.5 Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau FiBL

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: University of Aberdeen (UK)

Abstract (English)

Potato late blight causes substantial economic losses in organic production systems throughout the EU. The ban on copper fungicides will substantially increase economic losses to farmers, unless suitable alternative blight management strategies are developed. The proposed project aims at developing improved organic production systems in which potato blight can be managed without or with minimum inputs of alternative interceptive treatments.

This will be achieved by development of regionally adapted, blight management strategies based on:
(i) identification of best current practice in different regions of the EU;
(ii) variety resistance management;
(iii) within field diversification strategies;
(iv) preventative agronomy;
(v) development and improved formulation/application technology for alternative treatments to copper fungicides.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 99.0878-1