M. Lodovica Gullino and Angelo Garibaldi DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN ORGANIC FARMING: PROBLEMS, AVAILABLE TOOLS AND PERSPECTIVES M. Lodovica Gullino and Angelo Garibaldi AGRINNOVA, Center of Competence for the innovation in the agro-environmental sector, University of Torino

SUMMARY PROBLEMS AVAILABLE TOOLS PERSPECTIVES

DISEASE MANAGEMENT From disease control to disease management Disease control in organic farming is not equal to biological control Disease control in organic farming is not a simple conversion from fungicides to admitted compounds

Disease control, as well as, in a more general view, crop protection in organic farming is a quite complex activity which should rely, even more than in traditional agriculture, on a number of methods. The use of compounds admitted in organic farming does not list first among the different methods.

MAIN PROBLEMS 1) Diseases most difficult to be managed 2) Crops

Diseases most difficult to be managed Soilborne pathogens Foliar diseases Post-harvest pathogens Pathogens transmitted through seeds

Difficult Crops Vegetables Fruit Ornamentals

AVAILABLE TOOLS Cultural practices Resistant varieties Diagnostic Compounds admitted in organic farming

Compounds admitted in organic farming Copper, sulphur “Natural” compounds Biocontrol agents

PERSPECTIVES Increasing surfaces organically grown New crops Mediterranean crops

New challenges/1 To satisfy the needs of a higher number of consumers To apply the principles of organic farming in less vocated areas To consume organic produce far away from the production site

New challenges/2 The role of the distribution sector More industrialized versus traditional organic farming Biotech and organic farming: two separate worlds?

B’S Degree in Organic Farming TEACHING ACTIVITIES/1 B’S Degree in Organic Farming need of thorough education in a sector living a strong growth special attention to the study of organic production systems of mediterranean and italian crops

Master of Science in Agroecology TEACHING ACTIVITIES/2 Master of Science in Agroecology International curriculum of the Master of Science in Sustainable Crop Protection “The Plant Doctor” In collaboration with Università della Tuscia and with FESIA consortium (France) and NOVA consortium (Northern Europe)