Green Larixyne: A plant-based fungicide for vineyards
Producing an organic pesticide to treat downy mildew in vineyards using larch bark.
Downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) is a devastating fungal disease of grapevine in all grape growing areas of the world. Crop losses in individual years can be 100% if the disease is not controlled.
The 2021 season was particularly devastating with almost 100% crop loss in the Albury vineyard (UK). There are no suitable sources of resistance in commercially acceptable varieties, so fungicides are the primary method of control.
This project aims to produce an organic pesticide to treat downy mildew for use in organic, biodynamic and standard viticulture. At present, copper preparations are used, even in organic farming, despite environmental concerns.
The European Community regards the reduction in copper use a high agricultural priority, but there are no suitable alternatives. With the burgeoning wine growing industry in the UK (fastest growing agricultural sector; 150 % increase in acreage since 2010; production growing from 4.1 million bottles in 2016 to 13.1 million in 2018), an opportunity arises for growth in an environmentally friendly manner, reducing harmful copper and synthetic pesticides in this industry.
Currently, over 2 kg/ha of copper based products (in addition to synthetic pesticides) are used in standard grape farming and over 4 kg/ha of copper products in biodynamic/organic farming.
Through the EC FP7 ForestSpecs project, and an EC follow-on grant, ProLarix, it was shown that European Larch produces diterpenoids that are highly effective against this pathogen (100% control at 1.00 mg/mL, in vitro). Field trials in Switzerland and southern Europe have confirmed this activity. The patented product, Larixyne, provides an effective treatment against this pathogen and reduce the use of copper based products.
This project aims to develop an industry in England, using UK larch, to produce this organic plant protection product, for use by farmers in England and export. In this project, we will identify highest yielding UK Larch sources (L. decidua and L. decidua x L. kaempferii hybrid available in UK), optimise green extraction and purification methodology (solvent vs. supercritical fluid extraction), identify minor constituents, optimise formulation, scale up extraction methodology and trial the product on a UK biodynamic farm.
Larixyne has a ready market in all countries practicing viticulture. The timber industry will have a higher value outlet for larch bark chips. In addition to wine, the industry provides growing employment and tourism opportunities.
Kew lead
Partners and collaborators
Kevin Stephens (Bioextractions Wales Ltd) – Team Lead
Dulcie Mulholland (University of Surrey)
Nick Wenman (Albury Vineyard Ltd)
ASSOCIATE PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS
Lucius Tamm, Barbara Thürig and Hans-Jakob Schärer (FiBL) (Not Funded)
Innovate UK’s Farming Innovation Programme