Project
ENV07 - O-REG4
Metrology for Meteorology in Agricultural Sites
Organization Research Excellence Grant 4
O-REG4 is a collaboration between CNR-IMAMOTER and INRiM Institute, in the framework of JRP ENV07
MeteoMet project funded by EURAMET,
EURAMET within the call EMRP 2010 - Industry & Environment.
Meteorological data has many applications in territorial planning, in programming and addressing the human
activities, in the use of resources and in the prevention of natural adversities of climate origin. Local agroagro
meteorological stationss provide useful data in forecasting models to support
upport management decisions at
enterprise level, to contain costs and to reduce the impact of farming activities on environment, and on the
phytosanitary and phenology area. High quality traceable records of meteorological parameters are
necessary for more accurate estimation and forecasting.
The phytopathologies are influenced by both culture conditions (varietal susceptibility, soil type, fertilization,
irrigation, etc.) and by seasonal meteorological trend. The cultivation techniques can change, working to
create an environment as favourable as possible for the crop and unfavourable to the pathogen or pest
(appropriate manner and sowing time, fertilizing appropriately proportioned, etc.), while it is not possible
pos
to
act on the climate.
Plasmopara viticola (Berk et Curt.) Berlese et De Toni is the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew, one of
the most important disease of grapevine (Vitis
(
vinifera L.). It’s life cycle is influenced by frequent rain,
temperature and humidity. The disease is potentially destructive and is currently controlled by a massive use
of fungicides, which has considerable economic costs as well as important negative effects on environment,
on human health, on wine quality and, to some extent, on public perception.
In order to correlate weather parameters with biological cycle of the pathogen, several forecasting models
have been developed, that provide information on the stages of maturation of oospores and the evolution of
infections. However, the meteorological data used as input values in this models come from sensors
calibrate without traceability or not calibrate at all, and without measurement uncertainty.
Metrological investigations are required to evaluate
evaluate the target uncertainty on temperature and humidity
measurements needed to improve the reliability and accuracy of forecasting model.
The aims of the research are the improvement of meteorological observations in field through the
dissemination of techniques
iques and calibration methods; the installation in the vineyard of calibrated and
traceable automatic weather stations; evaluation of the uncertainty in meteorological measurements, and
improve epidemiological forecasting models,
models in order to optimize the use of pesticides with a positive impact
on the environment, health and vineyard management.
The research avails on the advice of:
INRiM, Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza Facoltà di Scienze agrarie, alimentari e ambientali;
Istituto di Entomologia e Patologia vegetali di Piacenza
ARPAS Sardegna.