Bekämpfung von Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) und Spodoptera litura (F.) mit Silikaten

The present work deals with the insecticidal efficacy of different modified natural silica products against the field pests Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) and Spodoptera litura (F.). The substances “Fossil Shield^® 90.0s”, “Advasan^®” as well as different formulations of a silica-derived substance named “AL06” (developed in the section Urban Horticulture, Humboldt-University Berlin) were dusted into gauze-covered cages. In each cage, test insects were placed and mortality measured over time. A 100% mortality rate was archieved two days after treatment of adult E. vigintioctopunctata and S. litura larvae with some silica “AL06”-formulations. In contrast, mortality rate for E. vigintioctopunctata larva was only 30 to 70% after two days of treatment. Mortality rate was dose dependend, even though a linear correlation could not be found. Furthermore, the commercial substance “Advasan^®” was able to control the horticultural pest E. vigintioctopunctata within 48 hours successfully. For future horticultural applications, possible phytotoxic side effects of silica dusts and an application technology resulting in adequate leaf coverage have to be considered.     

Abrasive und hydrophil/lipophile Effekte unterschiedlicher inerter Stäube im Einsatz gegen Schadinsekten am Beispiel des Kornkäfers Sitophilus granarius L.

Modern research on the insecticidal effects of inert dusts as a stored-grain protectant and for plant protection purposes began in the 1920s. The main advantage of inert dusts is their low-mammalian toxicity. One group of inert dusts used for pest control is diatomaceous earth (DE). DE has been tested as a whole and evaluated as a Group 3 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). A Group 3 listing indicates that DE is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans, since definitive conclusions cannot be drawn from the research conducted to date. DE is a form of naturally occurring amorphous silica that can kill insects by ab/adsorbing the lipids such as waxes and triglycerides of the outer cuticle layer by direct contact. When the thin, waterproof layer is lost, the insect looses water and dies. Desiccation follows Ficks law of diffusion into the surrounding atmosphere. In addition to its desiccant action the theory that DE works abrasively to rupture insect cuticles has been proposed. To evaluate the abrasive effects of DE we have tested 27 inert dusts with different surface properties. Materials were compared based on the time needed to kill 50% (LT₅₀) of Sitophilus granarius weevils in laboratory experiments. Substances with hydrophilic and/or hydrophobe properties were significantly more effective against S.?granarius than substances which are mainly abrasive. There is a strong correlation between LT₅₀ and weight loss (=?water loss) of insects (p?=?0.014). Particle size played only a secondary role (p?=?0.077). Commercial DE formulations and activated charcoal (Carbopal MB4) were the most effective hydrophilic substances tested. The most abrasive substances were corundum and silica sand with small particle sizes. It is concluded, that those materials were effective because of a good coverage of the insects outer cuticle and existing shear stress. All results presented are discussed in context of the insecticidal mode of action of inert dusts and possible registration of silica based formulations as biocide.     

Wirkungsweise amorpher Diatomeenerden auf vorratssch?dliche Insekten. Untersuchung der abrasiven sowie sorptiven Effekte

The present study examined the morphological and physiological effects of amorphous diatomaceous earth against the stored product pestsS. granarius, T. molitor andT. confusum. Diatomaceous earth, namely Fossil Shield^? and Dryacide^? increased the mortality rate of this insects. After contact with Fossil Shield^? the individuals ofS. granarius had significant lost of weight and reduced their water content respectively. This showed that silica dusts break the water barrier of the cuticle. However, it increases the transpiration rate of water across the cuticle and the insect died past several times through dehydration. As well, an addition of food affected the effectiveness of dusts against insects. A lot of stored product beetles will be able to produce metabolic water of feed substrates. This ability protects and weaves contrary to the loss of water. Diatomaceous earth’s can be effective primarily through the sorptive properties of the hygroscopic particles. One day after dust treatment a significant weight loss ofT. molitor pupae was recorded. The exposure to the silica dust Fossil Shield^? caused partly an incomplete metamorphosis and death of the individuals. Pupae dipped in Fossil Shield^? or abrasive aluminium dust and rolled for further five minutes, reduced not significant higher their weight as unrolled exuvial stages. The morphological analyses of treated insects under the Scanning Electron Microscope showed, that the dust covered the hole integument. Partly, the silica particles sunk into the cuticle. After application of Fossil Shield^? at the cuticle of adults,T. molitor, did not show any wax layer. Also it could not be found once blocked by stigma of the mealworm. The dust particles accumulated around the respiration openings and they partly overgrew.     

Wirkungsweise amorpher Diatomeenerden auf vorratssch?dliche Insekten. Untersuchung der abrasiven sowie sorptiven Effekte

The present study examined the morphological and physiological effects of amorphous diatomaceous earth against the stored product pestsS. granarius, T. molitor andT. confusum. Diatomaceous earth, namely Fossil Shield^? and Dryacide^? increased the mortality rate of this insects. After contact with Fossil Shield^? the individuals ofS. granarius had significant lost of weight and reduced their water content respectively. This showed that silica dusts break the water barrier of the cuticle. However, it increases the transpiration rate of water across the cuticle and the insect died past several times through dehydration. As well, an addition of food affected the effectiveness of dusts against insects. A lot of stored product beetles will be able to produce metabolic water of feed substrates. This ability protects and weaves contrary to the loss of water. Diatomaceous earth’s can be effective primarily through the sorptive properties of the hygroscopic particles. One day after dust treatment a significant weight loss ofT. molitor pupae was recorded. The exposure to the silica dust Fossil Shield^? caused partly an incomplete metamorphosis and death of the individuals. Pupae dipped in Fossil Shield^? or abrasive aluminium dust and rolled for further five minutes, reduced not significant higher their weight as unrolled exuvial stages. The morphological analyses of treated insects under the Scanning Electron Microscope showed, that the dust covered the hole integument. Partly, the silica particles sunk into the cuticle. After application of Fossil Shield^? at the cuticle of adults,T. molitor, did not show any wax layer. Also it could not be found once blocked by stigma of the mealworm. The dust particles accumulated around the respiration openings and they partly overgrew.      

Untersuchungen zur Akarizidresistenz an Populationen der Obstbaumspinnmilbe, Panonychus ulmi KOCH (Acari: Tetranychidae) aus dem Bodenseegebiet

One of the major acarine pest species of deciduous fruit trees like apple and plum is the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi KOCH (Acari: Tetranychidae). Feeding damage by P. ulmi results in leaf bronzing followed by an early defoliation and a reduction in yield, which is usually prevented by the application of acaricides. A problem often associated with mite control is the (sometimes rapid) development of resistance due to their high reproductive potential, a short life cycle allowing numerous generations per season and frequent applications of acaricides. Therefore a resistance monitoring is considered to be an essential part within resistance management strategies where only compounds providing full efficacy at recommended rates should be used. Once a new acaricide is considered for market introduction a so-called baseline susceptibility study is requested by the European authorities. Such a baseline study was also conducted for the new acaricidal compound spirodiclofen (Envidor^®), which is known to inhibit lipid biosynthesis and particularly active against juvenile stages of tetranychid mite pests such as P. ulmi. However, a strong reduction of female adult fecundity results in excellent residual efficacy. Here we report on the baseline susceptibility of 15 European red mite populations against spirodiclofen, which were collected in 2005 in apple orchards at Lake Constance, Germany. The baseline data were combined because of a low population-to-population variation in response to spirodiclofen and a composite dose effect calculation revealed a diagnostic concentration (LC₉₅) of 5?mg/liter (ppm) for future monitoring purposes in P. ulmi larvae. Furthermore we checked the susceptibility of the very same field populations against pyridaben, hexythiazox and abamectin. This helps to identify candidates for a balanced resistance management strategy avoiding the implication of cross-resistance issues.     

„VitiMeteo Plasmopara“ – Prognosemodell zur Bekämpfung von Plasmopara viticola (Rebenperonospora) im Weinbau

Downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, is the most important disease of European grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in humid climates. On the basis of weather data the forcasting model “VitiMeteoPlasmopara” calculates the most important steps of the life cycle of downy mildew. A growth model for the simulation of leaf development is integrated in the pure forcasting model for downy mildew. “VitiMeteoPlasmopara” was elaborated by the Swiss Research Station ACW, Changins-Wädenswil and the State Institute of Viticulture and Enology Freiburg in Germany. Since 2003 the system is scientifically tested in Switzerland and Baden-Württemberg and applied in practice. Once or twice a day, the actual results of the forecasting system are visualised on the Internet. “Vitimeteo Plasmopara” is used to forecast downy mildew in Switzerland and in the south of Germany (Baden Württemberg), comprising approx. 42,000?ha of grapevine (15,000?ha CH, 27,000?ha D), and about 100 weather stations located in the area. The forecasting system is widely used by both advisory service and growers. It has proven a very useful tool to estimate the epidemiological situation and it allows the definition of spray intervals in relation with the epidemics. The open structure of the database allows the use and the integration of weather data into any other expert software moduls to forecast the development of other fungal diseases, pests or completely other models, for example irrigation models. “VitiMeteo Growth ”, a vine growth model, “VitiMeteo Insects”, a model for pests and “VitiMeteo DataGraph”, a software to analyze and present weather data, are already developed. The expert software moduls are summarized under designation “VitiMeteo Suite”.     

Validierung von „NemaCheck“, einem neuen Routinetest zur Befallsdichte-Bestimmung von Rübenzystennematoden (Heterodera schachtii)

For evaluation of ?Nema-Check“, a new test, recently developed at the Bodengesundheitsdienst (BGD?=?Soil Health Service) as a semi-quantitative PCR technique for detection of beet cyst nematodes (Fürstenfeld 2004), a comparison with a conventional method, routinely performed at the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL), was made within a field trial with various sugar beet varieties. As the PCR method was optimized only with regard to distinguish three classes of infestation, the correlation between both methods was only small when values were exceeding 1500 eggs and larvae/100?g soil as observed after cultivation of the susceptible cultivar. To reach a better correlation also in this range, where a linear correlation between the amount of PCR products and nematode concentration is not given with the existing PCR method, a further adaptation is necessary. However, as a routine test for simply differentiating between classes of infestation the PCR method established at the BGD seems to be suitable because initial nematode population determined with both methods differed in only 85,2% and final population in only 94,5% of all samples at a maximum of one class.     

Increasing Farm Productivity and Soil Fertility on Sustainable Basis Through “Summer Gap” Utilization with Biochar and Legumes

To reduce reliance on scientific fertilizer due to rapid increase of fertilizer prices and environmental constraint, it necessary to improve crop productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basses. Utilization of “summer gap” through biochar and legumes have pleasant effects on improving crop productivity and soil fertility on long term basses. Two years’ field experiments were conducted on wheat and maize crops with “summer gap” utilization with legumes and biochar at research farm of agronomy, the University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2011–2013. Wheat-maize-wheat cropping system was followed with the adjustment of legumes in “summer gap” (land available after wheat harvest till maize sowing). Legumes i.?e. mung bean, cowpea and Sesbania with a fallow were adjusted in the “summer gap” with and without biochar application. Biochar was included at the rate of 0 and 50?t?ha^-1 with four N levels of 0, 90, 120, 150 and 0, 60, 90, 120?kg?ha^-1 to subsequent maize and wheat crops, respectively. In legumes’ experiment, biochar increased fresh and dry fodder yield in cowpea and Sesbania, grain and biological yields in mung bean. In maize experiments, biochar improved grain yield. Nitrogen application increased grain and biological yields. In wheat experiments with increasing nitrogen level enhanced biological and grain yields. It is concluded that use of biochar and legumes in “summer gap” improve overall farm productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basses.     

Untersuchungen zur Vermehrbarkeit der neuen Zierpflanze Clitoria ternatea L. var. pleniflora Fantz

Nowadays, only little information regarding the climber Clitoria ternatea L. var. pleniflora Fantz as “new ornamental plant” does exist in the German-speaking area. This plant is from interest because of its characteristic attractive, bright blue flowers. The vegetative propagation of Clitoria ternatea was investigated at the Institute for Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt-University of Berlin. The objective was to study how different types of cuttings could influence the rooting, proliferation and growth behaviour of greenhouse plants cultivated in two different seasons (summer and autumn). It was found that either stem or tip cuttings from the lower and middle zones of the mother plants with a fully developed leaf are suitable for summer or autumn propagation. Also, it was shown that the cutting variants affected the branching behaviour and further plant growth. Nearly 90% of the trial plants remained with a single shoot. However, in the vegetation period 11% of the plants originating from tip cutting and 14% of the plants originating from stem cuttings could be found with two branches. In autumn, the formation of lateral shoots was strongly declining. Here, the shoot length was particularly influenced by using different types of cutting treatments during propagation. The stem cuttings of the first batch planted clearly developed plants with longer shoots compared to those growing from tip cuttings. In the second batch planted, a lower shoot length growth was generally recorded (means of 5 to 6?cm for the internodes after three-month cultivation). In conclusion, the results regarding the propagation show that C.?ternatea can be recommended as a new ornamental container plant. However, further studies should follow in order to investigate possible photoperiod effects as well as suitable cultivation measures.     

Salicylatreiche Weiden für die Arzneimittelherstellung

The use of salicylate rich willow bark is necessary for the economic fabrication of herbal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. Natural derived salicylates can be used to medicate fever, rheumatic disturbances or headache. Clones from three willow species Salix daphnoides, Salix pentandra, and Salix purpurea were analysed for their salicylate content. All species showed a distinct salicylate profile. The major salicylate of S.?daphnoides and S.?purpurea was salicortin, whereas the main compound of S.?pentandra was 2′-O-acetylsalicortin. Clones of S.?daphnoides showed the highest mean salicylate content, followed by S.?purpurea and S.?pentandra. The variability within salicylates among species was higher than the clone variability. Also the seasonality of salicylates in willow bark was studied. The analysis revealed that after a peak concentration of salicylates in spring the content decreased during the vegatative season from March to August 2007. The lowest concentration was found August 2007. An increase of the salicylate concentration could be observed from August to October 2007. Specific clone selections and the determination of the optimal harvest time to gain highest salicylate contents are important for the economic fabrication of herbal drugs.     

Biologische Kontrolle von Pilzkrankheiten mit antagonistischen Mikroorganismen der Gattung Trichoderma im Weinbau – eine Bestandsaufnahme

In the last fifteen years many grapevine have been destroyed in vineyards in Germany by Eutypa dieback, esca (“black measles”) and Petri disease (“black goo disease”). These diseases caused by one ore more phytopathogens. So far a directly combat is not possible. Well-known data of the literature about biology, epidemiology and disease symptoms on grapevine are summarized and indirectly recommendations of combat are proposed. A stocktaking of a field attempt on biological control of fungi diseases with antagonistic microorganisms of Trichoderma ssp. in grapevine from 2003 in the framework of project “Preventive plant protection methods for biological control of three important fungal disease pathogens in organic viticulture” is given. The content of nutrition elements in grapevine leaves of healthy and diseased grapevines is determined. The analyzed contents of mineral elements in the leaves of the infected plants differentiate to the recommended values of sufficiently nutrition of grapevine leaves. Microorganisms of Trichoderma ssp. are able to antagonise the inhibition of the reception of manganese.     

Preliminary research on soil conditioner mediated citrus Huanglongbing mitigation in the field in Guangdong, China

Huanglongbing (HLB, yellow shoot disease) is devastating citrus production worldwide. No effective control measure is currently available. In China, management of HLB through nutrient applications was used in the past and the interest has been renewed recently. In this study the effects of a soil conditioner (SC) on HLB-affected mandarin citrus (Citrus reticulate Blanco) were evaluated in four orchards (three with cultivar Shatangju and one with cultivar Chuntianju) in Guangdong Province, China. We observed that HLB trees showed more vigorous growth with lower titres of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus”, the putative pathogen of HLB, than the untreated trees at 10 months post treatment (MPT) with SC. “Ca. L. asiaticus” titres in younger trees (2-year) were significantly lower than those in older trees (8-years old) (P?=?0.005). Comparison of SC treatments using 4-year-old Chuntianju showed that the “Ca. L. asiaticus” titres were significantly lower in new leaves with 7 MPT (94.51 % reduction or 2.59 times lower) than those with 1 or 4 MPT (P?=?0.002). The P, N, K, Mn, and organic matters contents in the treated orchard soils were all significantly higher than those in the non-treated soil tested at 2 MPT (p?<?0.05). Effects of SC treatments on fruit yield and quality were also significant. Our preliminary results showed that SC treatment could have various levels of positive influence on HLB-affected mandarin trees.     

Entwicklung, Samenbildung und Biomasseproduktion ausgewählter Problemunkrautarten in Rapshalbzwerghybriden

Recently semi-dwarf oilseed rape varieties appeared in practical cropping. So far, only few studies about their properties in combination with weeds are available. Recently however an increasing number of weeds that are difficult to control are observed in oilseed rape. For the experiment Anchusa arvensis (L.) M.??Bieb., Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. and a mixture of three different Geranium species were selected to study their development, seed and biomass production. Consequences for cropping on semi-dwarf oilseed rape cultivars were derived from the results. Three rape cultivars different in plant height were chosen for the experiments: the normal growing variety “Viking”, the semi-dwarf variety “PR45D01” and a full dwarf rape biotype for breeding purposes. In contrast oilseed rape with normal height, infestation of light-indigently and high growing weeds is more probable in semi-dwarf oilseed rape varieties. These weeds show increased biomass production and higher seed production per plant.     

Identification of resistance to bacterial canker (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas syringae</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">syringae</Emphasis>) disease on apricot genotypes grown in Turkey

Bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syrinage (Pss) in apricot has widely spread in Turkey, especially in Malatya province, in recent years. The main objective of this study was to determine resistance of apricot cultivars to bacterial canker caused by Pss in apricot cultivars grown in Turkey. During the 2006–2007 growing period, bacterial isolations were taken from diseased apricot trees in Malatya and 53 Pseudomonas syringae isolates were obtained. Forty-two isolates were determined as Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and 11 isolates as pv. morsprunorum. In a pathogenicity test, leaves of cv. Hacihalilo?lu were used and five Pss isolates (K24, K25, K43, K47 and K51) were detected to be the most virulent and were used to test for cultivar resistance to Pss. Leaves of fifteen apricot cultivars (Alyanak, Çatalo?lu, Çölo?lu, Erken A?erik, Hacihalilo?lu, Hasanbey, ?smaila?a, Kabaa?i, Karacabey, Sakit 2, So?anci, ?am, ?ekerpare, Tokalo?lu (Erzincan) and Turfanda Eski Malatya) were tested for resistance to Pss. Green shoots were spray-inoculated with a concentration of 10⁸ cfu ml^?1 Pss mixed culture. Sprayed shoots were covered with moist plastic bags for 3 days and maintained in the growth chamber and monitored for symptom development. Hasanbey, Çölo?lu, So?anci and ?ekerpare apricot cultivars were resistant and ?am, Tokalo?lu (Erzincan) and Erken A?erik apricot cultivars were susceptible to Pss. This is the first report of a resistance source in apricot cultivars grown in Turkey against Pss.     

Entwicklung einer Herbstprognose für den Erreger der Wurzelhals- und Stängelfaule Phoma lingam (Teleomorph: Leptosphaeria maculans)

Based on experimental data of oilseed rape monitoring in Schleswig-Holstein during the last seven years and actually established monitoring at four sites in Germany, a forecasting system for a determined autumn application against the important rape pathogen root collar (Phoma lingam; teleomorph: Leptosphaeria maculans) was developed. Early primary infections by ascospores in autumn are the elicitors of severe yield-reducing root collar epidemics, which depend on weather conditions, especially rainfall, leaf wetness and precipitation. Based on measured data and on trial weather records, a model was developed to predict the daily infection risk. Threshold values for a determined application were calculated based on disease incidence monitoring values. Applications predetermined from the calculated “daily infection value” reduced pathogen populations in autumn in comparison to the untreated control. Effects of the autumn treatments on root collar could be recorded; however, a significant yield effect occurred at one site only. Weather conditions over winter until vegetation start in the following year influence root collar severely. Due to this conclusion it is difficult to evaluate prosperous autumn treatments.     

Evaluation of a pheromone trap for the cotton pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders

This 4-year study examined the susceptibility of nine cultivars of apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen to attack by woolly apple aphid (WAA), Eriosoma lanigerum in Jordan. The cultivars under investigation were: Prima Rouge, Delberd Steval, Early Gold, Starking Delicious, Harmony, Golden Smoothee, Fuji, Melrose, and Golden Delicious. Estimation of susceptibility was based upon a numeric scale of 0–4 for both root and shoot, but each with different specifications. A tree infestation rating was obtained by calculating the average rating of both edaphic and arboreal ratings of each tree. Fuji was significantly the most infested cultivar during the period of study and it ranked as a highly susceptible cultivar. Prima Rouge, Early Gold, Starking Delicious, Golden Smoothee, and Golden Delicious showed lower susceptibility. Harmony was an immune cultivar as it sustained neither edaphic (root inhabiting) nor arboreal colonies of woolly apple aphid. We propose the development of rootstocks from Harmony cultivar. The latter offers a new gene for resistance to WAA that will open the door for plant breeders to produce different resistant rootstocks.     

Glue barriers reduce earwig damage on apricots in north-western Italy

The European earwig, Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), is a well-known species that is cosmopolitan and present throughout Europe. Due to its omnivorous feeding behaviour, this species can act as a generalist predator, preying on several top fruit pests, but also as a pest causing shallow gouges or holes in stone and soft fruits such as apricots, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries. In Piedmont (NW Italy), significant fruit damage has been observed lately in apricot orchards where earwigs fed on ripening fruits and made a considerable part of the produce unmarketable. In this study, we sampled earwig populations in three apricot orchards in Piedmont and tested the effectiveness of glue barriers applied to the tree trunks in reducing both earwig density in the canopy and fruit damage. The arboreal glues Rampastop® and Vebicolla® were tested both in the field and laboratory trials. Glue barriers demonstrated to be effective control measures, significantly reducing earwig abundance in the canopy and fruit damage. Rampastop® gave better results on old trees with a very rough and cracked bark, since in that case Vebicolla® could not perfectly bond with the trunk.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria alternata</Emphasis> apple pathotype (<Emphasis Type="Italic">A. mali</Emphasis>) causes black spot of European pear

A disease caused by Alternaria alternata occurred on the leaves of European pear cultivar Le Lectier in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, and was named black spot of European pear. In conidial inoculation tests, the causal pathogen induced not only small black lesions on the leaves of European pear cultivar Le Lectier, but severe lesions on the leaves of apple cultivar Red Gold, which is susceptible to the A. alternata apple pathotype (previously called A. mali) causing Alternaria blotch of apple. Interestingly, the apple pathotype isolate showed the same pathogenicity as the European pear pathogen. HPLC analysis of the culture filtrates revealed that A. alternata causing black spot of European pear produced AM-toxin I, known as a host-specific toxin of the A. alternata apple pathotype. AM-toxin I induced veinal necrosis on leaves of Le Lectier and General Leclerc cultivars, both susceptible to the European pear pathogen, at 5?×?10^?7 M and 10^?6 M respectively, but did not affect leaves of resistant cultivars at 10^?4 M. PCR analysis with primers that specifically amplify the AM-toxin synthetase gene detected the product of expected size in the pathogen. These results indicate that A. alternata causing black spot of European pear is identical to that causing Alternaria blotch of apple. This is the first report of European pear disease caused by the A. alternata apple pathotype. This study provides a multiplex PCR protocol, which could serve as a useful tool, for the epidemiological survey of these two diseases in European pear and apple orchards.     

Vorkeimung, organische Stickstoffdüngung, Kupferbehandlung – welche Maßnahme sichert im ökologischen Landbau den Kartoffelertrag?

Limiting factors in organic potato production are predominantly nitrogen and infestation with late blight disease (Phytophthora infestans). To maintain high yields, organic nitrogen fertilization, presprouting and control of potato late blight with copper-treatments are potential measures. Field trials were conducted from 2005 to 2007 to evaluate which single measure and combination of measures were most likely to achieve the best results. Organic nitrogen fertilization led to an average yield increase during all three years of trial. Tuber presprouting accelerated plant emergence and also increased yields. It was the most effective single measure, provided that late blight disease appeared (2005 and 2007). In absence of infection with late blight, presprouting had no influence on potato yield (2006). Copper-treatments only had a positive impact on potato yield in combination with optimized plant nutrition and presprouting. Varieties with early tuber development (e.?g. “Princess”) have almost completed formation of yield when infection with late blight sets in. Up to this time, all measures to increase yield should be finished.