I terreni gestiti con metodo biologico contengono microbi benefici che aiutano a controllare le malattie del suolo: uno studio dall'India

I terreni coltivati con metodi biologici ospitano un microbioma più diversificato rispetto a quello dei terreni coltivati con metodi convenzionali, dove molti agricoltori trattano le loro colture con sostanze chimiche di sintesi per combattere le malattie del suolo. Secondo un recente studio a lungo termine condotto in India e pubblicato su Applied Soil Ecology, questi microbi biologici sono fondamentali per la soppressione delle malattie delle piante.

An Overview of Pest and Disease Occurrence in Organic Pome Fruit Orchards in Europe and on the Implementation of Practices for Their Control

There is limited data regarding the specific problems faced by organic fruit growers when dealing with plant protection, particularly at a European Union level, though some general knowledge about pest and disease incidence can be found. Such information is crucial to improve the efficacy of a targeted knowledge transfer to organic fruit growers and advisors aiming at an increased adoption of innovative practices.

Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis): robust cultivars for Central Europe (Biofruitnet Practice Abstract)

Apple scab (V. inaequalis) is the main disease in organic apple production. Availability of varieties is a major problem as only a few robust varieties are available on the market.

The researchers propose a list of currently well-known robust varieties that are suitable for large scale production. Current breeding of new cultivars is crucial for the future of organic growing, stay tuned.

Reynoutria sachalinensis extract elicits SA-dependent defense responses in courgette genotypes against powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii

Powdery mildew (PM) caused by Podosphaera xanthii is one of the most important courgette diseases with high yield losses and is currently controlled by fungicides and sulphur applications in conventional and organic production. Plant derived elicitors/inducers of resistance are natural compounds that induce resistance to pathogen attack and promote a faster and/or more robust activation of plant defense responses. Giant knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis, RS) extract is a known elicitor of plant defenses but its mode of action remains elusive.