Results of two consecutive years on mould prevention in viticulture by means of UV C application of vines (Vitis viniferaL.)

Abstract

Abstract. In the last decade, impacts of climate change on cool climate viticulture were most obvious concerning cluster infections caused by Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould. The control of primary and secondary fungal pathogens is economically most important since bunch rot may severely affect the annual harvest with regard to quality and quantity. Trials with UV C applications, a new approach to control bunch rot, were conducted in 2013 and 2014, representing years with intensive bunch rot epidemics. UV C irradiation was applied by a prototype at an experimental site of Hochschule Geisenheim University. At both canopy sides, leaves and cluster zones were irradiated repeatedly at a dose of ≤160 mWs/cm 2 alone or in combination with chemical control. The results of our experiments indicated that irradiation with UV C, in addition to fungicide treatments at reduced number of applications, was able to significantly decrease infection with grey mould to a degree of efficiency of 82% compared to standard chemical treatment that achieved 51% efficiency in 2014. Accordingly, the new technology is suitable for reducing cluster infection with mould fungi allowing a prolonged grape ripening time, which leads to a better harvest quality and a decreased yield loss.

Effect of the Combined Treatments with LC2017 and Trichoderma atroviride Strain I-1237 on Disease Development and Defense Responses in Vines Infected by Lasiodiplodia theobromae

“…The environmental problems have led the European Union to limit the use of copper-based products in viticulture to a maximum of 28 kg•ha −1 of metallic copper in 7 years, i.e., 4 kg•ha −1 per year (1981/2018 EC regulation, 1107/2009 EC regulation) [23,25]. This limitation is a major concern, especially for organic viticulture [26], where there is no alternative to cupric fungicides for the control of downy mildew. Since copper-based products are not easily replaceable in organic viticulture, the agrochemical producing industry changed its focus, synthesizing new copper formulations with lower ecotoxicological profiles.…”