QKIS

Quadraspidiotus Knowledge Information System

SAN JOSÉ SCALE (SJS), COMSTOCKASPIS PERNICIOSA SYN. QUADRASPIDIOTUS PERNICIOSUS, IS A WIDESPREAD KEY PEST IN MANY COMMERCIAL ORCHARDS ACROSS THE COUNTRIES OF VISEGRAD REGION WITH A TENDENCY TO RAPID MASS COLONIZATION OF HOST PLANTS. WORLDWIDE CHANGES IN PLANT PROTECTION PROGRAMS AND GLOBAL WARMING HAVE MADE THE PROBLEM EVEN MORE CHALLENGING, WHAT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND FRUIT CROP LOSSES IN THE VISEGRAD GROUP COUNTRIES EVERY YEAR. IN THE ABSENCE OR INEFFECTIVE CONTROL, YOUNG FRUIT TREES CAN BE KILLED WITHIN 2-3 YEARS. MOST FRUIT GROWERS DO NOT HAVE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE BIOLOGY AND METHODS OF MONITORING THIS DESTRUCTIVE INSECT, WHICH LEADS TO INEFFECTIVE PLANT PROTECTION TREATMENTS PERFORMED AT TIMES THAT ARE NOT ADAPTED TO THE BIOLOGY OF THE PEST. THE AIM OF THE PROJECT IS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY EXCHANGING EXPERIENCES, MUTUAL TRAINING AND DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON THE SPREAD OF THE SJS, RISK ASSESSMENT OF ITS OCCURRENCE AND INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING STRATEGIES AIMED AT INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMBATING THIS INSECT WHILE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE USE OF INSECTICIDES.

About project

The project will build a professional network of researchers in the field of San José scale harmfulness and management to share best practices, stimulate knowledge flow and transfer the results of scientific research to horticultural practice across Visegrad region (V4). Through thematic workshops, other events and tools across the territories of project partners it will promote precise SJS monitoring systems, products based on biologically active substances and environmentally friendly pest management tactics, contributing to the fight against climate change and raising awareness of environmental protection.

The consortium will provide support to regional horticulture sector by gathering, sharing and showcasing up-to-date methods of environmentally safe San Jose scale management practices, strengthening national and local surveillance systems and activities of this pest monitoring and detection, promote uniformity and coordination of activities against SJS. That kind of efforts are of great importance to produce healthy fruits.

Relevance for region

The project will increase knowledge about SJS in the specific climatic condition of Visegrad region, which is different from other part of Europe where SJS has different behaviour. Differences in occurrence, life cycle, harmfulness, spreading, importance of natural enemies etc. do not allow to use information from other regions and it is necessary to create specific progressive SJS management tools and tactics in Poland, Czechia, Hungary and Serbia which well fit with climatic condition of this region. Currently, this knowledge is spreading among various institutions, and the transfer of research results to horticultural practice is a problematic task. By joining forces of all project partners, QKIS network will be able to offer a comprehensive set of methods and innovative control strategies that could be easily adjusted to different field conditions. Building a regional information network in the field of innovative advanced methodology in Integrated Pest Management and organic fruit production, open to cooperation with the farmers, regional organizations responsible for phytosanitary status and another commodity associations, we will pave the way for the production of high-quality fruit. Reducing the use of pesticides and the number of plant protection treatments against SJS will affect the environment and will reduce climate changes and protect the environment. Pesticide reduction has financial profits for fruit farmers and health benefits for consumers as well.