News

Botrytis (Gray Mold): A Plant Disease Not to Be Underestimated Botrytis cinerea, commonly known as gray mold, is one of the most widespread and damaging fungal diseases affecting horticultural, fruit, and ornamental crops.It thrives in humid conditions with poor air circulation and can cause significant economic losses if not managed promptly. Key symptoms:· Gray, fuzzy mold on leaves, stems, flowers, or fruits· Soft brown spots or rotting tissue· Rapid decay, especially in mature or injured fruits Favorable conditions:· High humidity and low ventilation· Wounds on plant tissue (due to pruning, hail, or pests)· Presence of dead or decaying plant matter Best practices for prevention and control:· Prompt removal of infected plant parts· Avoid overhead irrigation—water at the base· Prune and space plants to improve airflow· Use natural solutions (baking soda, propolis, horsetail extract) or approved fungicides where necessary Early detection is critical. Timely intervention can prevent local infections from becoming widespread outbreaks. Want to know more?Thanks to the manual developed in the KICRO project, growers can learn not only about downy mildew, but also about many other grapevine diseases and how to prevent them.

Plant Pathology Focus | GRAPEVINE DOWNY MILDEW July brings heat… and humidity — the perfect storm for one of the most dangerous threats in the vineyard: Downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola.  Symptoms• Leaves: translucent oil spots on the upper surface and white mold on the underside.• Young shoots: can darken and collapse.• Grape clusters: may shrivel, dry out, or rot → direct yield and quality loss.  When does it strike?The “Rule of the 3 Tens” can help predict when downy mildew is likely to appear. It considers the following conditions:At least 10 mm of rainTemperature above 10 °CShoots longer than 10 cmWhen all three happen simultaneously, primary infections can occur.If wet conditions continue, secondary infections can follow throughout the season.  How to manage it Preventive treatments (copper or systemic, depending on growth stage) Canopy management to improve airflow Use of forecasting models (DSS) to optimize timing Frequent field scouting after rainfall  Want to know more?Thanks to the manual developed in the KICRO project, growers can learn not only about downy mildew, but also about many other grapevine diseases and how to prevent them.

Vocational Education for a Sustainable Agri-Future – The KICRO Project in Action The agriculture sector is constantly evolving, and with it, the need for modern tools and training to tackle one of its oldest challenges: crop diseases. This is where the Erasmus+ KICRO project steps in.Over the course of 24 months, our consortium of international partners is developing a comprehensive educational programme that helps the agri-food sector identify and manage diseases affecting fruits and vegetables. Why is this important? Because early identification can save entire harvests, protect livelihoods, and promote food safety for all. KICRO’s main activities include:Selecting key crops and diseases relevant to the European market.Creating high-quality, user-friendly educational content in 5 languages.Hosting an in-person training week for project staff and researchers.Launching a pilot version of the e-learning platform to 50 users across Europe.Engaging the public with multiplier events in each partner country.Together, we’re creating a new standard in vocational agricultural education—focused not only on productivity but also sustainability, innovation, and health.Let’s grow knowledge and harvest safety!

Raising Awareness for Crop Health Across Europe! Did you know that a significant portion of fruit and vegetable losses across Europe is caused by crop diseases that often go unnoticed or misidentified? The KICRO – Knowledge and Identification of CROp diseases for sustainable food safety project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, is here to change that! As partners in this innovative international initiative, we’re working together with organizations from Poland, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and beyond to develop and share free, accessible, and practical tools for identifying crop diseases. The goal is to empower farmers, agricultural advisors, and packinghouse staff with reliable knowledge that supports sustainable food safety and environmental responsibility. What does KICRO include? A multilingual e-learning platform focused on disease identification and prevention.Educational materials tailored to real needs in the agri-food sector.Pilot training for 50 professionals and multiplier events in each partner country.Long-term impact aimed at minimizing crop losses, reducing food waste, and protecting consumer health.Join us on this journey toward healthier crops and smarter farming. Stay connected for updates, expert tips, and project milestones!

Pilot Testing of the KICRO Educational Online Platform in Patras Today, we successfully conducted a pilot testing session of the KICRO educational online platform at Rezos Brands European R&D Department! This important milestone helps us evaluate the platform’s functionality, user experience, and overall performance in a controlled environment before the full launch.During the testing, participants explored the platform’s features and gave valuable feedback, which will help us fix any issues, improve usability, and make sure the platform truly meets our learners’ needs.A big THANK YOU to all team members and participants who made this possible! We’re excited to continue working towards delivering a top-quality learning experience.

New Free E-learning Platform for the Fruit Growing Sector The KICRO project proudly presents a new, open-access E-learning platform designed to support the fruit growing sector identifying and managing crop diseases. What’s the aim?To equip the sector with practical tools and educational material that improve disease recognition, knowledge of causes, and sustainable orchard management — developed by experts and tailored to the real needs of the sector. Designed for:The platform is intended primarily for fruit growers and packinghouse workers but is freely available to any stakeholder (local, regional, national, or EU-level) interested in sustainable fruit production. Start learning in: https://e-learning.cosvitec.com/login/index.php Developed by a skilled consortium with expertise in crop diseases, VET education, and innovative e-learning methods, the KICRO project fosters collaboration between vocational learners (farmers, workers), sector companies and research institutions to support environmental and economic sustainability in agriculture.

Hot, Sunny Weather and Crop Disease: Focus on Powdery Mildew & Blossom End Rot Warm and sunny weather may boost plant growth, but it also creates favorable conditions for certain crop diseases. Two key issues to watch out for: Powdery Mildew – This common fungal disease thrives in warm, dry conditions and spreads quickly, coating leaves with white or gray powder. It reduces photosynthesis and weakens the plant. Scientific reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/agricult…/powdery-mildew   Blossom End Rot – Often seen in tomatoes and peppers, this disorder causes black, sunken spots at the blossom end of fruit. High temperatures interfere with calcium uptake, even when calcium is present in the soil. Scientific reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4246855/  Tip: Regular irrigation and balanced fertilization are key to reducing stress and preventing these issues. Stay alert during heatwaves and keep your crops healthy! 

Spring is Blooming – Just Like Our Orchards! As spring awakens the world around us, fruit trees are bursting into bloom, reminding us of nature’s beauty and abundance. It’s the perfect time to learn more about how we can care for our crops and orchards with innovative knowledge and sustainable practices.  We invite you to explore the educational materials developed as part of the KIRCO project – available now on our website: www.kicro.eu From crop protection to smart orchard management, our resources are here to support farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and educators alike.Let’s grow knowledge together this season!

The Training Week is Complete – Now Back to Work From March 31st to April 4th, our partners came together in Nicosia, Cyprus, for an inspiring and productive #KICRO training session organized by S.E.A.L. CYPRUS. We had the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the E-learning platform and explore how to effectively apply the educational materials created within the project. The training marked a key milestone in our shared mission to strengthen collaboration in the agri-food sector and provide innovative tools for recognizing and managing crop diseases.  Now, we’re back to work – motivated and equipped – as we continue developing and refining the project outcomes! Stay tuned for what’s next on our path to advancing digital and vocational education in agriculture.

Training Week is in Progress! We are excited to announce that the one-week training for partners is happening this week in Nicosia, Cyprus! This training, organized by S.E.A.L. CYPRUS, brings together representatives from partner organizations to enhance their skills in using the E-learning platform and applying the educational materials developed in the project.This project aims to strengthen the stakeholders’ network in the agri-food sector, equipping them with innovative tools to better identify and manage crop diseases and their causes. Stay tuned for updates on this important step towards digital and vocational education in agriculture!