Validation of 'Downcast' in the prediction of sporulation-infection periods of Peronospora destructor in the Lockyer Valley.

Abstract

The disease forecasting system 'Downcast' was developed in Canada to indicate sporulation-infection periods of Peronospora destructor (Berk.) Caspary in onions. During 1989, observations were made of downy mildew development in trap plants and of disease progress in an unsprayed plot of onions in the Lockyer Valley, Queensland, and related back to predicted sporulation-infection periods using the forecaster. Over 113 days, there were 20 days when sporulation and infection were predicted, and of these 14 occurred during 4 weeks in July and August. Of 16 groups of trap plants exposed in the field, each for 7 days, 7 were subjected to predicted sporulation-infection periods. Two predicted sporulation-infection periods early in the season did not result in infection of trap plants or of plants in the field plot, probably due to absence of inoculum. Subsequently, groups of trap plants exposed in the field during predicted sporulation-infection periods became infected while those exposed when weather was unsuitable remained healthy. 'Downcast' shows promise as a technique for more effective management of disease caused by Peronospora destructor.