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Despite intensive research, organic viticulture will still not be able to do without copper in the coming decades. This is the conclusion drawn by the Federal Association of Organic Viticulture after the annual copper conference of the top organic association BÖLW with IFOAM Organics Europe and the Julius Kühn Institute in Siebeldingen (Palatinate) a few days ago. "The data show that in good years, German organic winegrowers apply only about half the permitted amount," said Ecovin board spokesperson Hanneke Schönhals. She hopes to "reduce the amount in the medium term with new formulations, new preparations and the promotion of fungus-resistant grape varieties".
The presentation of current projects by universities, research institutes and companies at the Copper Conference 2022 would make those involved "cautiously optimistic". However, "a true fungicidal substitute has not yet been found, and it can take years and decades for new preparations to reach market maturity," Ecovin's statement on the conference says.
Hardly any other substance is "as controversial in organic agriculture and viticulture as copper". It can accumulate in the upper soil layers and damage soil life. Nevertheless, the substance is authorised as a fungicide in organic farming "as a transitional solution" until 2025 in most EU countries. In Germany, the maximum amount per year is currently three or four kilograms per hectare, depending on the indication and the product. "We do not want to wait for the introduction of new preparations alone. The Ecovin wineries therefore rely on holistic, preventive plant protection and strongly on the new, robust grape varieties," Hanneke Schönhals sums up.