Development of a web-based decision support system for late blight of potato

A dynamic risk evaluation model based on duration of relative humidity of more than 90 per cent at a range of temperatures was used for forecasting potato late blight. For this six automatic weather stations (AWSs) were installed in different potato growing districts of Punjab. Weather data from these AWSs were transmitted through data transfer sim cards to a receiver and transferred to a computer where it was stored for final analysis using the risk evaluation model. This model was validated under field conditions by determining disease severity values for the cropping seasons 2009–10 and 2010–11. Based on this model, a web-based decision support system (DSS) was developed. The website (http:dss-lb.pau.edu) was designed to provide information on weather data of different potato growing districts and expected disease severity values. It also gave information about favourable conditions for disease development, Accordingly, the farmers were issued advisories whether or not to initiate fungicide applications to manage late blight. The DSS has proved useful in economizing on fungicide applications.