Development of a decision support system for specific control of Turcicum leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum) and Kabatiella eyespot disease (Kabatiella zeae) in maize

In recent years, an increase of leaf diseases in maize has been registered under mid-European climate conditions. As a result, foliar fungicides were accredited in 2014 with indication towards two fungal diseases: Turcicum leaf blight (caused by Exserohilum turcicum) and Kabatiella eyespot disease (caused by Kabatiella zeae). This led, inevitably, to the question whether and to what extent the use of fungicides in maize is necessary or is not. To limit the future use of fungicides in maize to the necessary extent and thus to make it effective and sustainable, a decision support system is needed. Consequently, the main objective of this project is to develop a threshold-based and risk-adjusted decision support system for effective control of Turcicum leaf blight and Kabatiella eyespot disease in maize.
Once the project is finished, the results will be made available for farmers and agricultural consultants to ensure validation under practical conditions. In this regard, the use of fungicides should be based on the economic damage threshold, from which date-related control thresholds can be derived. The scientific basis for such a decision support system is generated in field trials by establishing disease-yield loss relationships dependent on the type of use (silage/grain maize) and variety, as well as determination of risk-relevant agronomic cultivation factors (pre-crop, tillage).