IPM Implementation benefits from the partnership between scientists and growers: a case study in a Tuscan wine-growing area Andrea Lucchi Andrea Bencini DAFE UNIVERSITY OF PISA Marchesi ANTINORI In plant protection, several efficient non chemical methods are available but are not used by stakeholders for lack of knowledge and trust. Very often farm managers are aware of the existence of non chemical alternatives to pesticides but they don t know exactly the potency of a given mean or strategy. In USA this gap is filled by University Extension Services, which support farmers in implementing innovative methods, and specifically for pests and diseases.
Trentino South Tyrol (Italy): a sharp example of close cooperation between growers and research Institutions, which allowed establishment of IPM in the Region. Mating disruption adopted as AW project in the last 20 years against codling moth and leafrollers on apple crop and against the vine moths in the vineyards strongly reduced insecticide use in the Region.
The development and adoption of area-wide MD in Trentino-South Tyrol resulted from the merging of several favorable factors, which brought together PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, RESEARCHERS, ADVISORS, COOPERATIVES, GROWERS, PHEROMONE DISTRIBUTORS, AND RELATED INDUSTRIES. 14 1500 1200 Superficie in 12 10 8 12,0 10,2 10,8 12,0 8,4 8,4 900 600 300 0 199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014 9,4 Insecticides in Trentino vineyards per Ha (Northern Italy): 6 4 2 0 6,6 6,0 6,0 5,4 4,8 6,7 4,6 4,8 5,2 4,0 3,8 3,5 4,0 4,0 4,0 4,3 2,4 Areawide application of MD 0,4 0,3 0,6 0,6 0,6 1,2 0,6 0,2 0,2 0,1 0,1 0,1 0,1 0,1 0,1 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 1,2 12 kgs in 1979 4,3 kgs in 1997 0.1 kgs in 2013
Unfortunately, Trentino achievements have not been replicated in the rest of Italy, due in part to the lack of cooperation between research institutes, industry, and growers. Here I report of a recent cooperative pilot experience put in place in the wine growing area of Bolgheri (Tuscany), originated from a close partnership between University and growers for the management of 2 feared pests of grapevine. The project started in 2015 as a small pilot experience
In 2016 the project (BIOCONVITO) was funded by the REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF TUSCANY (225,000 euros for 18 months) within an EU PROGRAMME of Rural development for agricultural technological innovation, entitled Introduction and testing of biological control techniques for effective and sustainable control of insects harmful to the vine in Tuscany
PROJECT DETAILS 3 FARMS: Guado al Tasso, Le Mortelle, Avignonesi 3 DISTRICTS: Bolgheri, Cast. Pescaia, Montepulciano 3 PESTS of grapevines: L. botrana, P. ficus, C. gnidiella 3 STRATEGIES: mating disruption, Bcas, Bt A case study: the project carried out in Bolgheri
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Climate: Mild climate with medium-high rainfall (400-800 mm per year on average) Terrain/Soil: Mostly sandy soil One of Italy's most prestigious areas for the production of wines of top quality (http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-bolgheri) High value of wines, need for healthy grapes, fear to abandon insecticides
IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS The Bolgheri vineyards have historically been affected by heavy infestations of the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) and the Vine Mealy Bug (VMB) Planococcus ficus (Hemiptera Pseudococcidae). European Grapevine Moth Vine Mealy Bug
EGVM larval feeding causes bunch rot which substantially degrades wine quality. Infestations must be managed to keep their damage at an acceptable level.
Vine mealy-bug: important vector of grapevine leafroll viruses. Honey-dew causes the development of sooty mold fungi that can result in serious bunch damage.
IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS Insecticide strategies generally adopted by growers (EVERY YEAR IN THE LAST DECADE) included 2-3 sprayings against Lobesia with IGRs or organophosphorate insecticides and 1-2 treatments per year against P. ficus with systemic or neurotoxic insecticides. From insecticides to pheromones AIMs of Bioconvito project: From insecticides to BCAs European Grapevine Moth Vine Mealy Bug
Bolgheri (coastal Tuscany Central Italy) The project BIOCONVITO started in 2016 in the farm GUADO AL TASSO ANTINORI (vine grown on 300 hectares). Main reasons: mistrust on insecticides, strong interest for possible non-insecticide strategies
Lobesia botrana management in Tenuta Guado al Tasso In 2016 the Pheromone Mating disruption (MD) against L. botrana was applied on part of the whole farm surface, to be able to compare obtained results with the conventional insecticide strategy. MD was applied with ShinEtsu Isonet L dispensers from the end of March at a rate of about 500 units per hectare.
1. Modalità di applicazione 2. Epoca di installazione 3. Popolazione del fitofago 4. Dimensione, forma e confini 5. Caratteristiche dell area 6. Fattori climatici 7. Controllo dell efficacia What is mating disruption?
PLANOCOCCUS FICUS MANAGEMENT IN GUADO AL TASSO The strategy for P. ficus included the release of two Biological Control Agents (BCAs), the Encyrtid parasitoid Anagyrus sp. near pseudococci in May (1,000 individuals per hectare) and the Coccinellid predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (about 500 individuals x hectare) in June and/or July. The monitoring of pest population was carried out with pheromone traps and cluster sampling.
Main steps of the project PROVIDE INFORMATION AND TRAINING Sharing information with the farm managers in the field
Main steps of the project PROVIDE INFORMATION AND TRAINING Producing ad hoc informative booklets
Main steps of the project PROVIDE INFORMATION AND TRAINING With a dedicated website www.bioconvito.it
Main steps of the project PROVIDE INFORMATION AND TRAINING Producing ad hoc informative videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ila2zawsbhc&t=67s
After 2 years the project Bioconvito is in very good health. Details are reported in this Trend Editorial available at: https://link.springer.com/ article/10.1007/s11356-018-1919-0
In 2017 and 2018 other big farms of the district adopted the BIOCONVITO proposal Total vineyards surface in the Bolgheri area: 1263 hectares In 2018 MD was applied on about 900 hectares and BCAS on about 600 hectares
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PROJECT AT FARM LEVEL Biological control per ha: 417, Chemical control per ha: 219 After 3 years BCAs will be establisìhed and you save 279, so the cost of BC will be 417-269 = 148
The project has been presented in 2 meetings of EIP- Agri Focus group and spread among Member States as a positive experience of connecting people to speed-up innovation
Insect killers save the wine Bolgheri says goodbye to pesticides Local Press Livorno province (Tuscany) June 2018
Acknowledgements REGIONE TOSCANA, for funding and implementing the project Bioconvito (PSR 2014-2020) The managers and the technicians of the farms Guado al Tasso, Le Mortelle and Avignonesi Thanks for your kind attention andrea.lucchi@unipi.it