Helen Cockerton will provide background information on the efficacy of UV application for mildew control in a research tour webinar. 

NIAB EMR presents an environmentally friendly solution to powdery mildew control in strawberries. Ultra violet light application is a highly effective method of reducing powdery mildew infections. We have shown that 3 applications (110 J/m2) of UVC light a week can be enoughto reduce strawberry powdery mildew infection by 80 percent. The amount of light delivered to the plant has been carefully calibrated to ensure that the dosage is able to control the fungus, whilst being well below the rate that could cause a negative impact on the crop. Automated delivery of UV light has been achieved through the development of a robot, made possible through the INTERREG funded project UV-ROBOT. The robot is fully automated and operates during the night, traveling independently up and down throughout the crop delivering short bursts of UV light to table top strawberries. We will demonstrate the robot in operation and provide an opportunity to ask questions about this new technology.