Decision Support Systems in Integrated Pest and Disease Management: Innovative Elements in Sustainable Agriculture

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a system that combines ready-made plant protection methods. IPM guidelines apply to all users of plant protection products and require the prioritization of preventative methods. Adherence to IPM principles contributes to the production of healthy and safe food. In Poland, the implementation of IPM into agricultural practice remains a solution to the problem. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure education and implementation of IPM at the basic or implementation level. The IPM element, particularly emphasized in the 2009/128/EC Directive, is the use of so-called warning systems, tools that address the issue of plant protection application. In this regard, it is necessary to use decision support systems (DSSs). DSSs are digital solutions that integrate meteorological, global, and field data. They include the risk of disease and pest occurrence and the timing of the application. DSSs are not part of the farmer’s experience or presentation but support them in making sound decisions. DSS reduces costs, the side effects of plant protection, and energy consumption. Examples of such solutions in Poland include the eDWIN platform and OPWS, classified, among others, in cereal protection against fungi. The aim of this article is to present the role, capabilities, and limitations of decision support systems in modern agricultural production and their importance in the context of the Green Deal and digital agriculture.