I. Pertot, L. Maines, F. Fiamingo

Powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis f.sp. fragariae) is a serious disease of strawberry in warm and dry climates or in greenhouses. S. macularis is controlled primarily by chemical fungicides, thus strawberry production is dependent on an intensive use of chemicals. As a result of the change of the public attitude toward the use of pesticides, the reduction of their usage in agriculture is required. This can be obtained by means of new alternatives, which at present are inconsistent or not highly effective, but also by an optimization of the timing of chemical treatments. The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of some widely used fungicides (penconazole, azoxystrobin, sulphur) and some biocontrol agents (Ampelomyces quisqualis, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzianum) applied at different times according to the starting of infections. For all the tested products, the need of their preventive use was evidenced. Penconazole showed also to be slightly effective in curative treatments.