Research

The intend of the cooperation between the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences and Pioneer is to provide a technical training Pioneer research staff for Eastern Europe. The training is being designed for University graduates (MSc. or BSc.) to prepare them for specific need executing world class Science in plant breeding and field testing focused on corn and sunflower. As there is almost no University or Institute training arranged anymore almost all Associates, Senior Research Associates or Scientists should go through this introductory training.

Winegrape production is one of the most economically important agrosystems in Europe. Grapevine has a large breadth of genetic diversity at the rootstock, variety, and clone levels. Unfortunately, very little of this diversity is currently utilized and its potential role in abiotic stress response has not been properly quantified. This leaves growers with the open-question of which is the best tool(s) to adapt their vineyards to specific environmental challenges (e.g. heatwaves, drought, waterlogging, etc). At the scientific level, it is essential to understand the genetic plasticity of rootstocks, varieties and clones (and their interactions) to further adapt and improve the current planting material and to preserve the genetic diversity of grape varieties used across Europe. Standards for physiological traits need to be defined, and the influence of the diverse genetic backgrounds to the value and flexibility of these traits under different environmental conditions needs to be understood. With this in mind, project DiverGrape has been designed including partners from four European countries with varying environmental and vineyard conditions. The partnership will exchange pre-doctoral and postdoc researchers using a standardized methodological approach based on both eco-physiology and metabolomics tools to quantify the contribution to environmental response of: i) clonal variation within given local varieties, ii) rootstock material for a given variety and ii) the interaction between rootstock and scion. Taking advantage of existing vineyards with a variety of genetic material located in different European viticulture areas, the partnership will quantify how environment drives grapevine plasticity to specific climates. The results obtained through project DiverGrape will provide grape growers with the knowledge to optimize the existing grapevine genetic diversity in order to adapt their vineyards to more extreme climate situations.

Grape powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator Schwein., is one of the major diseases in viticulture. Currently, the pathogen is mostly controlled with 6-10 fungicide applications. Due to the negative effects of pesticides on the ecosystem, the EU Commission aims to reduce the pesticide use by 50 percent by 2030. This project contributes to this goal and aims to reduce the number of fungicide applications needed to control powdery mildew without sacrificing crop quality. There is evidence that especially at the beginning of the vegetation there is a possibility to reduce the number of fungicide treatments. Mathematical models can make an important contribution here; however, in order to fully exploit this potential, numerous gaps in knowledge about the epidemiology of the pathogen still need to be filled. Targeted and thus pesticide-reducing management requires consideration of local disease development. The project addresses key factors here: The time of primary infection, the spread of ascospores and the incubation period will be investigated in combination with weather factors under natural and controlled conditions. Based on these results, mathematical models and regionally adapted fungicide strategies for winegrowers will be developed. These knowledge-based strategies will enable sustainable concepts for plant protection in viticulture and contribute to the achievement of a 50% pesticide reduction.