3rdInternational Conference On Agricultural Engineering and Food Security
Berlin, Germany
Ivana Dmini Rojni
Polytechnic of Rijeka, Croatia
Biography
Viticulture represents a significant economic branch in the Istrian peninsula (Croatia). The leaf hopper Scaphoideus titanus Ball is the univoltine and monophagous vector of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FD) which is considered as a quarantine pest in several countries due to its epidemic character and high economic loss it provokes. There are only preventive control measures against FD: the use of pathogen-free propagating material, hot water treatment of propagating material, removal of infected or suspected vine plants as well as control of S. titanus, which can be efficiently done by insecticide treatments. According to the legislation of the Ministry of Agriculture in Croatia (NN 46/2017), it is obligatory to carry out two treatments against the S. titanus in demarcated areas (infected and security). The third treatment is obligatory if the number of adults is above the threshold of harm. In preliminary investigations the difference in appearance of S. titanus between years and locations has been found. This knowledge has affected the determination of precise deadlines for control measures. Regular monitoring of S. titanus and FD, educating and informing producers of protection is an important step in the development of a protection strategy within sustainable and ecological grape and wine production.