POTATO2UP
The POTATO2UP project aims to improve potato production quality by enhancing nutrient absorption and promoting environmentally friendly management of major fungal pathogens through reduced use of chemical fungicides. The approach relies on chemical inoculation to activate the plant’s natural defense mechanisms, using biostimulants applied before stress conditions occur. Specifically, the project will demonstrate the benefits of applying intersystemic biostimulants through trans-wave sprays to achieve more efficient nutrient uptake with fewer chemical inputs. The evaluation will focus on time-targeted applications of chitosan hydrochloride as a defense activator against key fungal diseases. In parallel, remote sensing techniques will be employed to monitor the physiological status of potato crops in the pilot field, supporting the validation of these sustainable practices.
Geosystems Hellas (GSH) contributes to the project by monitoring crop quality and plant health through UAV, satellite, and meteorological data, as well as supporting dissemination activities. Its work includes conducting two UAV flights per growing season with a multispectral camera, analyzing high-resolution satellite imagery before and after biocontrol applications, and applying vegetation indices to assess plant health. These datasets, combined with weather station inputs, are integrated into automated workflows to validate the methodology’s effectiveness and support its transferability to other crop areas.
The POTATO2UP Project is finished
This Research has been co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and Greek national funds through the AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (RAP) 2014-2020, Sub-Measure 16.1 – 16.2 – “Establishment and operation of operational teams of the PES for agricultural productivity and sustainability”, Action 2 – Implementation of the Operational Plan (project) of the ESK Operational Groups for the productivity and sustainability of agriculture”, with project code: Μ16ΣΥΝ2-00356.