Integrating the impact of wheat fungal diseases in the Belgian crop yield forecasting system (B-CYFS)

in European Journal of Agronomy (2012), 40

Field experiments were conducted over four growing seasons to assess the relationship between fungal disease attacks and wheat grain yield in the agrometeorological part of the Belgian crop yield ... [more ▼]

Field experiments were conducted over four growing seasons to assess the relationship between fungal disease attacks and wheat grain yield in the agrometeorological part of the Belgian crop yield forecasting system (i.e., Belgian crop growth monitoring system, B-CGMS) by recalibrating the lifespan of wheat leaves (SPAN parameter). The results from 133 experimental fields in Belgium (the Wallonia region) and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg were analyzed in terms of site factors such as cultivar, previous crop, sowing date and geographical area. A significant relationship was found between green leaf area (GLA) duration expressing the infection pressure (parameter m; using a modified Gompertz model and calculated from observed GLA) and final grain yield (R2 = 0.79; P < 0.001). Based on this relationship and by recalibrating the B-CGMS in terms of its SPAN parameter, there was a significant improvement in estimating final grain yield. From a R2 of 0.11 when the B-CGMS was run with the default SPAN value, the relationship between observed and simulated yields was strengthened, with a R2 of 0.47 and 0.57, respectively, when a linear or quadratic relationship was considered between m and SPAN. Although, from a practical point of view, the m value has to be estimated annually for each spatial grid or group of grids on the basis of field or possibly remotely sensed data, and although estimating this parameter is possible only late in the season, these encouraging results illustrate the potential of integrating pest and disease impact in the B-CGMS. [less ▲]

Images hémisphériques et leur analyse pour prévoir le rendement du blé d’hiver. Comment la phase de décroissance de la surface verte de la plante nous renseigne-t-elle sur le rendement final ?

in Phytoma : La Défense des Végétaux (2011), 648

The prediction of cereal-crop yield is considered as a priority in most crop research programmes due to the relevance of food grain to feeding the world population. Today, a large number of ... [more ▼]

The prediction of cereal-crop yield is considered as a priority in most crop research programmes due to the relevance of food grain to feeding the world population. Today, a large number of agrometeorological models for crop yield assessment are available with various levels of complexity and empiricism. But, currently the development of wheat yield forecasting models in conventional operational systems do not reflect the loss of active green leaf area and its relation to biotic and abiotic processes implicated in the crop production situation. In 2009 a large field campaign in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg was realized to assess the validity of leaf-green-area approach to further improve yield prediction. Hemispherical photography were taken on winter wheat fields during the crop cycle, preferentially from inflorescence emergence to maturity. The variable of interest, the Green Area Index (GAI), was retrieved after image analyses using the CAN-EYE software. The regression-based models calculated with metrics derived from the decreasing curves of GAI showed that final yield could be better estimated with satisfactory precision: range of the coefficient of determination (R²) varies from 0.73 to 0.86 and RMSE (root mean square error) is varying between 0.43 and 0.56 t/ha. The validation of such approach at the scale of an agricultural zone or region is currently under progress, by using green area index temporal profiles and information on the phenology of winter wheat. Such simple models may be considered as a first step towards yield estimation that may be completed by other agrometeorological models in order to provide a better integrated yield assessment. [less ▲]

Prévoir la septoriose : un modèle belge au Luxembourg

in Phytoma : La Défense des Végétaux (2011), 642

Septoria leaf blight caused by Septoria tritici Roberge ex Desmaz. (anamorph of Mycosphaerella graminicola) is one of the most serious foliar diseases on winter wheat which farmers in Luxembourg. It need ... [more ▼]

Septoria leaf blight caused by Septoria tritici Roberge ex Desmaz. (anamorph of Mycosphaerella graminicola) is one of the most serious foliar diseases on winter wheat which farmers in Luxembourg. It need to take into account when deciding upon fungicide application during stem elongation. Management of S. tritici aims at keeping the top two leaf layers free from infection, as these leaves contribute most to grain yield. The model PROCULTURE has been developed to simulate the progress of the Septoria leaf blotch disease on winter wheat during the cropping season. The model has been validated in Luxembourg for 3-years (2000 to 2002) at distinct representative sites. Proculture forecasts have been shown to be correct in about 85% of all cases. This model has since 2004 been used in the Grand-Duchy of Luxemburg in order to find the optimum time of fungicide spray in fields. On average, no spray of fungicides or only one application is required to efficiently control Septoria leaf blotch. In the Oesling (north of G-D of Luxembourg), treatments based on the Septoria risk simulation model were recommended only once, in 2007. The climatic conditions of the Oesling tend to favour organic farming in a region where foliar disease pressure is very weak. [less ▲]

Regional-based typology of the main fungal diseases affecting winter wheat in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg

in Phytopathology (2011), 101

Despite its small territory size, the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (GDL) has several microclimates that result in a variability of disease severity between the South (Gutland) and the North (Oesling ... [more ▼]

Despite its small territory size, the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (GDL) has several microclimates that result in a variability of disease severity between the South (Gutland) and the North (Oesling). Septoria leaf blotch disease of wheat is an important disease in the GDL. Over 2003–2009, the severity was strong in Gutland (51% on average over the last two upper leaves at the late milk growth stage) and low in the Oesling (16% for the same leaves). For the years 2006, 2008 and 2009, the disease severity was less than 6% in the Oesling while it exceeded 40% in the Gutland. The second fungal disease that has become economically important is the wheat leaf rust. Over the same period, the Gutland and the Oesling showed consistently the highest and lowest disease severity respectively. In 2003 and 2007, the Gutland showed the highest disease severity with 66% and 57% respectively, whereas the lowest severity (<1%) was observed in the Oesling. Another important disease is wheat powdery mildew. The 2003 and 2009 cropping seasons showed the highest disease severity with 15% and 40%, respectively, in the Oesling whereas less than 1% severity was registered in the Gutland. Fusarium head blight was also present in the eastern part of the Gutland showing the highest prevalence and severity in 2007 and 2008 (8.5% and 8.3% respectively). These prevalence and severity percentages were significantly higher compared to the Oesling (% prevalence % severity, p = 0.049 and p = 0.012, respectively, Tukey’s test). [less ▲]

First report of the breakdown of the YR17 resistance gene to wheat stripe rust in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

in Journal of Plant Pathology [=JPP] (2011), 93(1), 243

A SIMPLIFIED APPROACH FOR WHEAT YIELD ESTIMATES BASED ON METRICS DERIVED FROM GREEN AREA INDEX DECREASING CURVES.

Poster (2010, September)

Time spray strategies for Septoria leaf blotch disease progress on winter wheat: The use of forecasting model

in Phytopathology (2010), 100

A mechanistic model, PROCULTURE, for assessing in real time the risk of progression of Septoria tritici (teleomorph Mycosphaerella graminicola) on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was used in Grand ... [more ▼]

A mechanistic model, PROCULTURE, for assessing in real time the risk of progression of Septoria tritici (teleomorph Mycosphaerella graminicola) on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was used in Grand-Duchy of Luxemburg over 2003 to 2009 to simulate disease progression in the canopy at four-replicated field experiments located in three villages (Diekirch district: Reuler; Grevenmacher district: Burmerange and Christnach), representative of the different agroclimatological zones of Luxembourg. This model has been developed in order to guide field observations on the different leaf layers and to find the optimum time of fungicide spray in fields. The model provides information which explains disease progression on the upper leaves. The relationship between disease control by fungicides and yield loss varies from site-to-site and from season-to-season. A weekly PROCULTURE recalibration is routinely done using actual disease levels observed on site. On average, no spray of fungicides or only one application is required to control efficiently the septoria leaf blotch disease. The PROCULTURE forecasts have been validated to be correct in about 85% of all cases. The treatment defined with the simulation model over 2003 to 2009 gave an earning grain yield (80%) more than the other treatments tested and as important as the double treatment for Everlange, Christnach and Burmerange. At Reuler, over 2003 to 2009, treatments based on the Septoria risk simulation model were recommended only in 2007. The climatic conditions of this site tend to favour organic farming in this region where the evolution of the foliar disease is very weak. [less ▲]

Fusarium head blight and associated mycotoxin occurrence on winter wheat in Luxembourg in 2007/2008

in Food Additives & Contaminants (2010), 27

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is among the major causes of reduced quality in winter wheat and its products. In addition, the causal fungi produce a variety of toxins. A relatively high FHB infection rate in ... [more ▼]

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is among the major causes of reduced quality in winter wheat and its products. In addition, the causal fungi produce a variety of toxins. A relatively high FHB infection rate in winter wheat was observed in 2007 and 2008 in Luxembourg. A fusariotoxin survey was carried out in 17 different geographical locations. Three groups of Fusarium mycotoxins (trichothecenes A and B and zearalenone) were analysed by a multi-detection HPLC–MS/MS method. Fusarium strains were also investigated by morphological and molecular methods. In addition, questionnaires relating to cultural practices were sent to the farmers managing the 17 fields investigated. FHB prevalence ranged from 0.3 to 65.8% (mean: 8.5%) in 2007 and from 0 to 24.5% (mean: 8.3%) in 2008. Results of morphological and molecular identification showed that the most common species isolated from diseased wheat spikes was F. graminearum (33.1%), followed by F. avenaceum (20.3%) and F. poae (17.8%). The chemical analysis revealed that 75% of the investigated fields were contaminated by deoxynivalenol (DON, range 0–8111 mg/kg). The preceding crop was highly and significantly correlated to the number of grains infected and had a significant impact on disease prevalence ( p¼0.025 and 0.017, respectively, Fisher’s F-test). A trend was found for maize as the preceding crop ( p¼0.084, Tukey’s test) to predict the amount of DON in the fields. This is the first report on the occurrence of DON and ZON in naturally infected wheat grains sampled from Luxembourg. [less ▲]

First Report of Wheat Leaf Rust in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Progress of its Appearance over the 2003–2008 Period

in Plant Disease (2009), 93

Wheat leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. was identified for the first time in 2000 in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on the basis of orange-to-brown, round-to-ovoid, erumpent uredinia (1 to 1.5 ... [more ▼]

Wheat leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. was identified for the first time in 2000 in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on the basis of orange-to-brown, round-to-ovoid, erumpent uredinia (1 to 1.5 mm in diameter) scattered on the upper and lower leaf surfaces and producing orange-brown urediniospores that are subgloboid, approximately 20 μm in diameter, and with up to eight germ pore scattered in thick, echinulate walls. In a second phase, wheat was monitored weekly (starting from Zadoks growth stage 30, pseudo stem erection) during the 2003–2008 cropping seasons for wheat leaf rust. Disease severity (percentage of leaf area with symptoms) was recorded in four, replicated field experiments located in three villages (Diekirch District: Reuler; and Grevenmacher District: Burmerange and Christnach), which are representative of the different agroclimatological zones of Luxembourg. A significant difference in severity was observed between the sites (P < 0.01) and the years (P < 0.05). Over the 6-year period, Burmerange and Reuler consistently showed the highest and lowest disease severity, respectively. In 2003 and 2007, Burmerange (a southern site with the highest average spring temperatures of 13.6 and 14.0°C, respectively) showed the highest disease severity with 66 and 57%, respectively, whereas the lowest severity (<1% for both years) was observed in the north at Reuler (site with the lowest average spring temperatures of 12.0 and 12.4°C, respectively). Christnach, located midway between Reuler and Burmerange, showed an intermediate disease severity with 7% (2003) and 22% (2007). The disease appeared at growth stages 77 (late milk) and 87 (hard dough) in the period 2003–2005, but at an earlier stage (45, boots swollen) for 2006–2008 (P < 0.001). In 2005, low severity was recorded due to a severe drought during May, June, and July. A reason for this earlier appearance of leaf rust occurrences in the two districts may be related to an increase in the average spring temperature (average March to May temperature for Luxembourg was 8.3°C for the 1971–2000 period, 9.5°C for the 2003–2005 period, 9.9°C for the 2006–2008 period, 2007 was exceptional with 11.9°C, P < 0.01). In the past, cereal disease management strategies were oriented toward the control of predominant and yield-reducing diseases such as that caused by Septoria tritici Desm. Because the succession of mild winters and warm springs during the last 5 years allowed the early occurrence and the fast development of wheat leaf rust in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, it is advisable to take this disease into account in fungicide application schemes. [less ▲]

First report of wheat powdery mildew and its severity in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg over the 2003-2009 period

in Journal of Plant Pathology [=JPP] (2009), 91(S4), 109