The beginning of the vegetative cycle is one of the most critical stages in vineyard disease management. As the vine resumes physiological activity and new tissues develop, young shoots and leaves become highly susceptible to fungal infections.
During this stage, vineyard protection strategies must focus on structured, preventive approaches that strengthen plant resilience, optimize crop protection programs, and reduce reliance on conventional fungicides—without compromising efficacy.
Main Grapevine Diseases at the Start of the Growing Season: Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew and Trunk Diseases
Downy Mildew (Plasmopara viticola)
Favored by moisture and mild temperatures, downy mildew can spread rapidly, affecting leaves and clusters and reducing photosynthetic capacity and yield potential.
Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe necator)
Less dependent on rainfall but equally aggressive, powdery mildew directly impacts grape quality and can compromise final wine performance if not managed preventively.
Grapevine Trunk Diseases (Esca and Eutypa Dieback)
These structural diseases weaken the vine internally, reduce vigor, and negatively affect vineyard longevity and productivity.
As regulatory pressure in Europe continues to limit conventional active substances, growers are increasingly integrating biological tools into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. This shift aligns with the Veganic Food Care concept, where crop protection goes beyond technical efficacy to ensure food safety, residue reduction, and biodiversity preservation.
The Veganic Strategy for Integrated Grapevine Protection
At Veganic, our vineyard protection model is based on a comprehensive agronomic approach: anticipate infection, reinforce plant physiology, and act directly on pathogens when required.
Rather than relying solely on contact fungicides, our strategy combines:
- Early activation of natural plant defenses
- Preventive biological colonization of plant tissues
- Reduction of inoculum and fungal pressure at critical stages
- Compatibility with both conventional and organic farming systems
This approach reduces dependency on copper and synthetic fungicides while maintaining performance, supporting a balance between vineyard productivity and sustainability. Within this framework, two complementary biological solutions play a key role.
Belvine® — Preventive Defense Activation Against Downy and Powdery Mildew
Belvine® is formulated with ABE-IT 56 (32.56%), derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and registered in Spain (ES-01430) and Portugal (1933). It is also approved for organic agriculture.
Its mode of action is physiological: it activates the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways, preparing the vine before infection occurs. Through a combination of physical barrier, systemic signaling, and biochemical defense activation, Belvine® strengthens the plant’s natural resistance to downy and powdery mildew.
Integrated into vineyard spray programs, it contributes to reducing copper and sulfur inputs and supports residue-free production systems, enhancing crop resilience during key vegetative stages.
Vintec® — Internal Biological Protection Against Grapevine Trunk Diseases
Vintec® contains Trichoderma atroviride strain SC1, the only foliar-applied Trichoderma specifically designed to colonize aerial plant tissues. It is registered in Spain (ES-00468), France (2022-1133), Italy (17059), Greece (4198/116775), and Cyprus (3602).
Its multi-mode action includes mycoparasitism, nutrient and space competition, enzymatic activity, and stimulation of plant defense mechanisms. Thanks to its internal colonization capacity, Vintec® effectively controls Eutypa dieback and other grapevine trunk diseases, establishing persistent biological protection from within.
It provides efficacy exceeding 21 days, is compatible with conventional fungicides, and leaves no chemical residues, positioning it as a differentiated tool within sustainable vineyard disease control strategies.
A Grapevine Protection Model Aligned with Sustainable Viticulture
The combination of physiological activation and internal biocontrol enables:
- Long-term reduction of fungal pressure
- Improved vineyard stability and yield consistency
- Full compatibility with IPM and organic farming systems
- Transition toward more efficient and responsible viticulture
At Veganic, we operate with a clear vision: innovate today to protect vineyards and build a more sustainable future for the next generations. We develop effective, respectful biosolutions aligned with the evolution of modern agriculture—combining science, ethics, and productive performance.
Integrating Belvine® and Vintec® into Vineyard Crop Protection Programs
The integration of Belvine® and Vintec® into vineyard spray programs allows:
✔ Preventive management of downy and powdery mildew
✔ Protection against grapevine trunk diseases
✔ Reduced reliance on conventional fungicides
✔ Advancement toward sustainable vineyard management systems
At Veganic, our technical expertise is available to support the development of tailored grapevine protection strategies adapted to each production reality.
For further information: info@veganic.bio
