The newsletter reports on how the SMaCH metaprogramme, dedicated to research on plant health management which reconciles yields and sustainability, recently held a seminar to discuss the three projects and their evaluation models.

The projects are part of SMaCH’s DAMAGE key action, focusing on the damage caused by diseases and insect pests, and were launched in 2013. These projects are ModQual, CoLosses and Grapevine Yield Loss (also known by its French initials, QMPV).

• The ModQual project is modelling the impact of pests in temperate and tropical perennial crops, incorporating the effects of agricultural practices such as fertilisation, irrigation and harvest date etc.

• The CoLosses project is modelling crop losses caused by diseases in coffee, making it possible to compare different agroecological approaches to crop management. 

• The Grapevine Yield Loss project is focusing on another perennial crop - vines - and is analysing and modelling crop losses due to pests and diseases.

The seminar also dedicated time to discussing RAW, an international network for prospective analysis on wheat.

For more information:

• Download SMaCH Information Letter No.5:
  SMaCH Information Letter No. 5 [pdf - 628,19 kB]
• Download SMaCH Information Letter No. 4 (natural regulation, monitoring, diagnosis and predicting risks for crop health):
  SMaCH Information Letter No. 4 [pdf - 1,44 MB]
• Download Information Letter No. 3 (durable management of plant pest resistance):
  SMaCH Information Letter No. 3 [pdf - 1,99 MB]
• Visit the SMaCH website (in English)
• Visit the SMaCH website (in French)