A decision support system for management of organic vineyards against downy mildew

A DSS (Decision Support System) called Vitebio.net is described for guiding\r\ndecision about tactical management of downy mildew in organic vineyards.\r\nThe DSS is available for registered users via the internet in an interactive way.\r\nIt is based on: (i) a network of weather stations that measure environmental\r\nvariables; (ii) a 72-h weather forecast system; (iii) a file repository that stores\r\nweather data; (iv) a set of mathematical models that use weather data and\r\nvineyard-specific information to predict the biological events relevant for\r\ndecision making; (v) a user interface that makes it possible to readily input\r\nvineyard-specific information and obtain supports for decision making; and\r\n(vi) a register of the vine-management options already applied that could\r\ninfluence future decisions (e.g., fungicides used, rates, etc.). Output provides\r\ninformation on: (i) current weather conditions and 3-days forecasts; (ii) model\r\noutput for primary and secondary infections of Plasmopara viticola; (iii)\r\noptimum dose of copper to be applied depending on disease risk, residual\r\ncoverage of the previous fungicide application, and grapevine growth and\r\ndevelopment. Different users can access information at different levels of\r\ncomplexity, depending on their role (i.e., providers, advisors, or growers).\r\nEach year, experimental sites are managed so as to compare advantages\r\narising from using the DSS in comparison with the usual grower’s practice.