Pest Forecasting with SOPRA

The forecasting tool SOPRA was developed by Agroscope in order to optimise monitoring of and possible control measures against fruit pests. Based on temperature-driven simulation models, the model enables the prediction of important events in the pests’ developmental cycle. Readings taken by local weather stations in the fruit-production regions allow the age structure of pest populations and key plant-protection events to be forecasted. In addition to daily-updated pest forecasts and their interpretation, illustrated information on pest biology, monitoring methods and control measures is provided.

SOPRA serves as a decision support tool for plant-protection measures against the most important pests in pome- and stone-fruit production.