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The French start-up company Immunrise Biocontrol has made significant progress in the fight against downy mildew (Peronospora) in grapevines with an active ingredient based on microalgae. In trials in Bordeaux and Italy, the new method achieved an effectiveness of up to 98 percent. "Our microalgae were almost able to keep up with the Bordeaux mixture. Despite the strong pressure from downy mildew, we were able to significantly reduce the treatment intervals in the vineyards without affecting the yield," said Delphine Marques, head of the research and development department at Immunrise.
In Italy, the new formula showed an effectiveness of 85 percent in May 2024 compared to untreated vines. In Bordeaux, an effectiveness of 77 percent and 98 percent was measured in Langon and Fronsac, respectively.
The start-up combined the microalgae with conventional treatments. "In Langon, we conducted ten out of a total of 15 treatments with Immunrise, in Fronsac it was eleven out of 16," Marques summarized. The microalgae were applied before rainfalls and during flowering and again from fruit set to ripening.
The results are positive: In Langon, the infestation rate on untreated vines was 97 percent, while it was reduced to 22 percent with Immunrise. The intensity of the infestation decreased from 75 percent to seven percent. In Fronsac, an effectiveness of 98 percent was achieved compared to the control group.
At the same time, micro-vinifications were carried out to assess the effects on the microflora and the taste of the wine. Immunrise now plans to repeat the trials in Fronsac and test early applications before bud break.
(ru / Vitisphere)