Innovative techniques ensure successful trials

SynTech Poland managed to overcome prolonged drought, obtaining good data from two fungicide trials against Phytophtera on potatoes. The setup increased disease levels by using five buffer rows of maize around the whole study, minimizing the effect of wind, maintaining humidity and providing early morning shade.  Rows of a susceptible potato variety within the trial helped to give even contamination following artificial inoculation.

SynTech in the Philippines developed a technique to clear Golden Apple Snail (Pomaceae canaliculate) from plots, by putting papaya leaves in each plot for seven consecutive days before sowing. Attracted to the papaya leaves the snails are easily collected, rather than having to find snails buried up to 15 cm deep. Net barriers prevent snails from moving between plots.   

SynTech France also conducted several successful fungicide trials despite wind and unprecedented heat. 

On roses – a misting system kept the foliage moist and decreased temperatures to encourage disease. Infected leaves from other roses were placed on each rose plant in the trial. This technique worked perfectly for both black spot and downy mildew.

On conifers – infected plants of a species very susceptible to Phytophthora, Chamaecyparis lawsonia plants were collected from a grower and kept in very wet conditions to increase disease spread. When these plants showed symptoms, the roots were cut, shredded and rinsed in water which was then filtered and this inoculum used to drench test plants. These were kept wet during the trial using drip irrigation and misting.