Project Overview
Commodities
- Fruits: grapes
Practices
- Pest Management: biological control, chemical control
Proposal abstract:
Two plant pathogens, Plasmopara viticola and Erysiphe necator on grapevine, reduce berry yield and can kill entire vines within a growing season in the Northeastern United States if left unmanaged. Biocontrols, such as biopesticides help growers reduce the use of fungicides by both their mode of action and the timing of spray. This could have the benefit of reducing the amount of synthetic fungicides used. This project tests the physiological mechanisms between grapevine, biopesticides, and pathogens. Objectives: (1) To evaluate the efficacy of the biocontrol agents LifeGard, used in an integrated approach with conventional and reduced fungicide applications, for managing powdery and downy mildew in vineyards and the resulting physiological response. (2) To investigate the impact of applying biocontrol agents (LifeGard and Trichoderma) on the metabolic profile of susceptible grapevine cultivars grown in field conditions and explore the relation of these metabolic alterations to improved resistance against powdery and downy mildew infections. The results should inform grapevine growers of the efficacy of using biocontrols on downy mildews to reduce chemical sprays while supporting plant health and sustainable management practices.
Project objectives from proposal:
Objective 1: To evaluate the efficacy of the biocontrol agent LifeGard, used in an integrated approach with conventional and reduced fungicide applications, for managing powdery and downy mildew in vineyards and the resulting physiological response in the plants.
Specific objective:
a. To assess the disease pressure of powdery mildew and downy mildew, I will evaluate their incidence and severity on grapevines.
b. To determine the physiological response, I will measure the chlorophyll content in leaves and Brix and pH content in berries.
Objective 2: To investigate the impact of applying biocontrol agent LifeGard on the metabolic profile of susceptible grapevine cultivars grown in field conditions and explore the relation of these metabolic alterations to improved resistance against powdery and downy mildew infections.
a. To determine the presence of resistance-related metabolites, including the potential induction or modulation of defense-related compounds such as phytoalexins, pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, and other antimicrobial secondary metabolites. Additionally, I will evaluate the effects on the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds, encompassing flavonoids and stilbenes, which play crucial roles in plant defense mechanisms.
b. To determine the metabolites related to improving plant health by evaluating the influence of this biocontrol agent on the production of metabolites associated with enhanced plant vigor and stress tolerance, such as antioxidants, osmolytes, and growth-regulating hormones.