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Scientists from the University of Milan and the Agricultural Institute 'Crea Viticoltura ed Enologia' in Conegliano have developed a fully biodegradable agent that is said to reduce the infestation of downy mildew and botrytis in vineyards by about 80 percent. The innovative project named 'Grape4vine' was presented at Vinitaly in Verona. 'Our product is based on the mechanism of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA),' explains Silvia Toffolatti, lecturer at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Milan. 'This is a sustainable biotechnological strategy for plant protection, as the dsRNA molecules can naturally activate gene silencing in the vines (RNA interference).'
RNA interference is a naturally occurring mechanism that can specifically prevent the synthesis of proteins in the cells of organisms. It can either be used directly to prevent the development of pathogens or to reduce the sensitivity of plants. In the case of downy mildew, the dsRNA specifically targets susceptibility genes of the vine, while in botrytis, it blocks essential genes of the fungus. This effectively inhibits the development of the pathogens – with high target accuracy and without negative effects on other organisms.
Another central aspect of the product is sustainability: The active ingredients are not only fully biodegradable but are also derived from by-products of wine production such as pomace and vine cuttings. Thus, the project combines plant protection with principles of circular economy and could potentially replace synthetic pesticides in the long term.
Given the significant economic damage caused by downy mildew – with substantial crop losses in Italy recently – this approach is considered potentially groundbreaking. Following the completion of the three-year research phase, a second project phase is already underway to develop a marketable product. The next hurdle is approval at the EU level.
(ru – Image: Raffaella Usai)
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