1. BACKGROUND

During spring, the vine, whose buds are still in the early stages of development, is at the optimal time to be treated against fungal pathogens, using either a direct or fungistatic fungicide.

It is important to consider the pruning methods applied for this purpose, as it will determine whether the growth is heterogeneous or not, as well as the measurement of meteorological variables that contribute to the spread of disease during this late sprouting. All of this will dictate the number of preventive applications, which in normal circumstances is usually 2, separated by about 10 days.

  1. DISEASES TO CONSIDER

    2.1. Powdery Mildew (Uncinula Necator Burr)

Powdery mildew on vines can appear early in the season. It hibernates during the winter in the buds, making its symptoms visible in the upcoming seasons. Temperature, humidity, and air circulation are key variables in the spread of this fungus, with the optimal temperature range being between 25ºC and 28ºC, the average temperatures we reach at this time. It is important to control its development from preventive phases to avoid its maximum spread during fruiting phenology, as it not only attacks leaves and sprouts but also the latter, halting the normal grain growth, which can cause cracking and, therefore, direct damage to both the quantity and quality of production.

Source: Vitivinicultura.net

Regarding its classical control with potassium permanganate, which has a direct and momentary effect, it was limited, and alternative preventive control measures were started, complementing sulfur treatments to provide more prolonged action, not susceptible to being washed away by potential rains during this period.

2.2. Downy Mildew (Plasmopara viticola)

This internally developing fungus begins its activity in the early stages of vegetative growth, potentially hindering proper development and leading to total crop loss, making it very difficult to combat once it has become widespread. Therefore, preventive control recommendations (from budding to St. John’s Day) include systemic products, scheduling a combined strategy with combined active ingredients.

Given this, it’s critical not to neglect treatments, as if control begins only after the first visible spots appear, the disease can persist through fruiting phenology, potentially causing losses of up to 100% of the production.

In organic viticulture, treatments against downy mildew must be timely, quick, and even take advantage of small breaks in the weather. Thus, the grower must be ready to treat at any moment.

  1. SYSTEMIC AND SEMI-SYSTEMIC CONTROL METHODS – UNDERSTANDING ELICITORS

Elicitors are active compounds such as oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, peptides, and lipids that promote defense responses when applied to plant tissues.

Once applied, they generate a hypersensitive response that leads to the self-production of reactive oxygen species, structural changes in the cell wall, and the biocamulation of self-defense proteins (Pathogenesis Response Proteins, PR-Proteins), as well as the synthesis of phytoalexins, lignin, callose, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chitinase, glucanase, peroxidase (POD), and chitosanase (Vander et al., 1998; Ben-Shalom et al., 2003).

Focusing on the activity of PAL, it catalyzes the conversion of L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid, releasing ammonium. This reaction is a key point in primary and secondary metabolism in the plant kingdom because, in a tissue, the levels of this enzyme can fluctuate significantly over relatively short periods in response to various stimuli under certain conditions (Hammerschmidt, 1999). PAL activity is considered the limiting step in the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway for producing phenolic structures and phytoalexins in some species (Hadwiger and Loschke, 1981).

This enzyme is also involved in the direct synthesis of salicylic acid through the benzoic acid pathway, which is considered an important signal for amplifying the plant’s systemic defense responses (Yalpani et al., 1993; Pallas et al., 1996).

Extensive demonstrations and experiences with the use of this class of compounds have shown that they induce or inhibit different biochemical activities during the plant-pathogen interaction, enhancing tolerance to a wide range of phytopathogens. This indicates that the use of these natural inducers can be exploited in sustainable agriculture.

  1. Integrated Strategy: SPIRALIS ECO Long Life + CULTISANO

Objective:
The combination of SPIRALIS ECO Long Life and CULTISANO aims to maximize the benefits of both products, providing a comprehensive solution that:

  • Reduces fungal incidence by 56.8%
  • Strengthens plants against various stress factors and pathogens

Benefits of each product:

SPIRALIS ECO Long Life:
  • Acts as a stress reliever
  • Extends fruit life
  • Enhances the plant’s self-defense
  • Prolongs the crop’s lifespan
CULTISANO:
  • Improves vegetative development
  • Strengthens the root system
  • Increases resistance to infections

This strategy optimizes plant health and longevity, improving their self-defense capabilities and resistance to yield healthier and more protected vines.

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