Peposan - Investigations for suppression of fruit rot and bacterioses in Styrian oil pumpkin

In the past years we observed dramatic yield losses in oil pumpkins (Curcubita pepo var. styriaca) in Austria. The problems are caused by a complex of pathogens, comprising fungal (Didymella) and bacterial (Erwinia, Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas) organisms. Little is still known about the infection biology of these pathogens, and therefore no control strategies exist. The goal of the project is to fill this gap: the elucidation of infection biology in combination with an analysis of their naturally occuring antagonists will lead to an efficient strategy to suppress the diseases of pumpkins. This strategy will be applied in biological and conventional agriculture. The application to other crops will be tested. The investigations will combine an integrative microbiological, phytopathological and molecular technical approach, and comprise laboratory work and field studies. The results will be applied in form of a product. The product development is based on an antagonistic cocktail of naturally occurring microorganisms.