VALIDATION OF TOMATO POWDERY MILDEW FORECASTING MODEL USING METEOROLOGICAL DATA IN EGYPT

Abstract

This study was initiated to validate a tomato powdery mildew, caused by Leveillula taurica (L'ev.) Arn., forecast model in Egypt. Environmentally acceptable control may be achieved using a weather based forecasting system due to the reduced use of agrochemicals and their residues in both environment and food. A computerized disease forecast model for tomato powdery mildew (Egy. Tom-PM) as named by the authors was validated during the 2006 and 2007 growing seasons. The micrometeorological parameters monitored hourly in tomato cano-py were ambient air temperature, relative humidity, leaf wetness duration, wind speed and global radiation using a wireless real-time automatic Agro-weather station model (Adcon Telemetry model A733, add wave). Results indicated that Egy.Tom-PM forecast model accurately defined disease risk appearance and reduced number of sprays in both years compared with the routine application (10D) and (7D) sprays in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Basic roles of system analysis for model validation and evaluation are discussed.