Together for the Better: Improvement of a Model Based Strategy for Grapevine Downy Mildew Control by Addition of Potassium Phosphonates

Grapevine downy mildew is one of the major diseases in viticulture. To control this disease, a more effective strategy has been developed and established based on growth and model data as well as on a combination of fungicides. For this purpose, the systemic plant protection product potassium phosphonate (PP) was combined with two contact fungicides. Treatments were carried out according to the different experimental conditions after the growth of 400 cm(2), 600 cm(2), and 800 cm(2) leaf area per primary shoot. PP increased the effectiveness of the preventive fungicides whenever high infection pressure was the case. The experiments also show that it is possible to extend the treatment intervals from 400 cm(2) to 600 cm(2) new leaf area when PP was added. However, none of the tested treatments were sufficient for the extension to intervals of 800 cm(2). These data show that PP can be a key factor in the reduction of the application of synthetic or copper-based fungicides.