The automatic, real-time classification of Plasmopara viticola spores presented in this study offers a significant advancement in disease risk forecasting. By integrating airborne spore detection, this approach reduces the likelihood of false-positive recommendations, applying fungicides when weather conditions are favorable, but disease risk is low and false negatives, when spores are present, but treatments are not advised. Consequently, this strategy can decrease treatment frequency and overall fungicide use, promoting more sustainable and precise disease management in vineyards.
Cattani et al. (Mon,) studied this question.