Soil management and plant protection strategies with reduced use of copper: productive and environmental aspects in a Sangiovese vineyard

Paolo Storchi,Arturo Fabiani,Alice Ciofini,Francesco Binazzi,Giuseppe Carella,Stefano Mocali,Rita Perria,William Antonio Petrucci,Maria Alexandra Cucu,Silvia Landi,Paolo Valentini,Laura Mugnai,Sergio Puccioni

doi:10.1051/bioconf/20224403002

Paolo Storchi, Arturo Fabiani + Show 11 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20224403002

Copy DOI

Abstract

Plant protection strategies in organic viticulture are based on the application of copper products, which is well known to generate a consistent environmental impact due to the accumulation of copper in soils and its negative effects on edaphic biodiversity. Life Green Grapes is a demonstrative project aiming to improve the sustainability of viticulture throughout the supply chain: from vine nursery to the table. In this paper, we report the main results obtained over three growing seasons (2018-2020) in response to the adoption of a strategy based on a reduced use of copper products in an organic vineyard. Plant protection treatments have been strictly planned according to forecasting models for disease development and fungicides have been partially substituted with products improving plant resistance. Green manure, known for contributing to the health of the vineyard, was also adopted. Results suggest the effectiveness of the “Green Grapes” strategy under low downy mildew pressure. Furthermore, no declines in grape quality have been observed; on the contrary, the synergic effect of green manure and substances beneficial to plants improved yield. An overall positive influence on the edaphic biodiversity was also observed.

Highlights

According to 2016 ISTAT (Italian national statistical Institute) data, most (26%) of fungicides distributed in Italy is used for grapevine protection [1]
The results obtained in 2018 and 2020 demonstrate the current ineffectiveness of copper reduction strategies to prevent downy mildew infections in organic vineyards; this is true under climatic conditions leading to high pathogen pressure
The results show that, under lower pathogen pressure, the partial substitution of plant protection products with the use of products improving plant resistance response can represent a valid solution to minimize the use of copper in vineyard

Summary

Introduction

According to 2016 ISTAT (Italian national statistical Institute) data, most (26%) of fungicides distributed in Italy is used for grapevine protection [1]. Copper is known for its persistence in soils and in the environment resulting in impaired vineyard ecological balance, by reducing edaphic biodiversity that is crucial for maintaining soil fertility [2]. For those reasons, the use of copper in agriculture is limited (28 kg/ha for 7 years) by 1981 (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1981 of 13 December 2018). Copper-based fungicides represent to date the only category of phytosanitary products allowed in organic viticulture that can effectively counteract downy mildew attacks [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion