Environmentally friendly nanobiopesticides and nanobiofertilisers will be developed using nanoencapsulation technologies to control pests in viticulture and improve production. An €7.8 million European Project will use nanotechnology to reduce the use of chemicals in viticulture by 50%.
Viticulture is one of the most important agricultural sectors in the European Union in terms of economic revenue and job creation. However, it faces significant challenges due to climate change, which negatively impacts grape production, yield, and quality.
Developing solutions to mitigate the extensive use of agrochemicals is a must at environmental, social, and economic levels. Thus, VINNY Project brings together 19 partners from 10 countries to develop sustainable solutions in the viticulture sector.
Wein & Obst Klosterneuburg RTD is a partner in this Project, coordinated by the University of Minho, one of the largest higher education institutions in Portugal.
Bio-stimulant bioactive agents to be used as Biopesticides (BPs) will be extracted/derived from green sources i.e., grapes, grapevine plants (stems and leaves) and pruning residues, and/or recovered from grapes microbiome.
Biofertilisers (BF) will be derived also from green sources, i.e., biochar originating from solid waste in wastewater treatment plants and meat industry side-streams such as blood.
Advanced nano encapsulation technologies will be further developed and used to encapsulate the biopesticides and biofertilisers for a smart controlled release of the actives. For the same reason, some of the BFs will be impregnated in agrotextiles which will cover the vineyard ground.
VINNY will create an “European Vineyard Network” based on three Living Labs and a Lighthouse. This network aims to promote sustainable viticulture practices, targeting farmers, local authorities, the scientific community and other relevant sectors to disseminate and advance its know-how as well as the penetration of the new developments in real practice.
VINNY's objectives are in line with the two European Union missions, "A Soil Deal for Europe" and "Restore our Ocean and Waters", to keep soils healthy and promote effective water management.