Past and current situation of forecasting system in Turkey

Abstract: Grape, apple and pear production are of great importance in Turkey. However, certain insect pests and diseases cause crop losses by impacting quality of fruits. Vine and fruit trees are protected against harmful organisms according to the timing of forecasting systems or phenological growth stages of plant. Modified Verderevsky and Popov (1975) models are used in the vineyards as a decision tool of chemical applications against downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola Berk. et M. A. Curtis) and European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana Den.-Schiff.), respectively. In apple orchards, application times against apple scab [Venturia inaequalis (Cke.) Wint.] and codling moth [Cydia pomonella (L.)] are decided according to Mills and Laplante (1954) Table and day-degree model, respectively. Mary Blight model is the decision tool that determines application times most accurately in the control of fire blight (Erwinia amylovora Burril Winslow et al.) in pear orchards. Section of the forecasting studies carried between 1993 and 2010 against the pests and diseases mentioned above has been considered in this article. Models tested and decided, short description of equipments providing necessary data and the increase in data collecting stations and protected areas have been summarized as well as success and application numbers of pesticides according to forecasting models and plant phenology have been compared. Transition from mechanical equipments to computer-based systems has been given.