SAPc – Alert System Pithomyces chartarum

This project proposes the development of an early warning system for Pithomyces chartarum spore production, initially on the island of Terceira and with territorial expansion to the island of São Miguel. This system enables farmers to better manage livestock grazing and maximize milk production, as well as to monitor the evolution and better scientific understanding of this phenomenon, by all interested parties.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Pithomyces chartarum spore production is becoming increasingly common on cattle pastures in the Azores. This phenomenon, which is scientifically documented, occurs when the minimum daily temperature is 16ºC and the relative humidity is above 90%, for at least three consecutive days. When livestock graze on grass with spores, there is a significant loss in milk production, discomfort to the animal due to photosensitivity, and a reduced average life expectancy, with significant economic impacts for the Azores Autonomous Region. In line with this problem, this project proposes the development of an early warning system for Pithomyces chartarum spore production, initially on the island of Terceira and with territorial expansion to the island of São Miguel. This system enables farmers to better manage livestock grazing and maximize milk production, as well as to monitor the evolution and better scientific understanding of this phenomenon, by all interested parties. There are still questions outstanding about the factors that contribute to spore production, which will be investigated during this project, such as the state of the pasture vegetation. A preliminary prototype of a web application with the historical mapping of spore production occurrences on pastures on the island of Terceira has already been developed. In order to turn the preliminary prototype into an application with a real-time warning system, a meteorological model is needed that can represent the conditions of an entire region based on observable data from a limited number of reference sites. It is also necessary to coordinate efforts with locally collected samples and the agricultural community, so that counts and other useful information can be included in the system. The incorporation of information on the state of vegetation of pastures through remote observation by satellite (Copernicus satellite constellation) and other scientific advances will be essential for the full implementation of a system applicable to all islands, in a perspective of agricultural modernization with greater accuracy, lower costs, higher profitability and more efficient resource management.

Acronym: SAPc
Title: Sistema de Alerta Pithomyces chartarum
Start-End: December 2021 – December 2023

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