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Microencapsulation - An innovative technique to improve the fungicide efficacy of copper against grapevine downy mildew

Weitbrecht, Karin; Schwab, Stefan; Rupp, Christoph; Bieler, Evi; Dürrenberger, Markus; Bleyer, Gottfried; Schumacher, Stefan; Kassenmeyer, Hanns-Heinz; Fuchs, René and Schlücker, Eberhard (2021) Microencapsulation - An innovative technique to improve the fungicide efficacy of copper against grapevine downy mildew. Crop Protection, 139 (105382), pp. 1-8.

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Document available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026121942030315X


Summary

Copper based fungicides are plant protection products prevalently used in organic agriculture to control several plant diseases. Since copper can have various negative effects on the environment, the amount used should be reduced to the minimum necessary. However, this reduction should not lead to a loss of efficacy, as otherwise the quality and quantity of the yield would be at risk. During this study, a copper sulfate/copper hydroxide mixture was combined with an agent for better adhesion to grapevines. This was achieved by microencapsulation of the active agents into a fat matrix which resulted in the so called CuCaps. Laboratory analysis of dispersibility and particle size proved that CuCaps form an applicable powder, suitable for use in commercial crop protection sprayers. Field experiments demonstrated that CuCaps have an equivalent effect compared to a commercially available copper-based fungicide (CCF). Both, CuCaps and CCF were able to significantly (p < 0.05) reduce disease severity (DS) on leaves and bunches in three independent years compared to an untreated control (UTC). This was even true if the applied amount of CuCaps was reduced by one third to 2 kg copper per year and hectare. Additionally, in the particularly severe P. viticola epidemic of 2016, CuCaps showed a remarkably better effect on flower clusters and bunches compared to the CCF. However, this effect was not statistically significant due to strong variation within the repetitions. Taken together, this study shows that copper minimization by microencapsulation is possible. Considering the restricted use of copper-based fungicides, CuCaps can be a valuable option for organic farmers, especially in difficult years.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:microencapsulation, fungicides, grapevines, Weinbau, Pflanzenschutz, BÖL, BOEL, FKZ 18OE004, FKZ 18OE033, FKZ 18OE034, FKZ 18OE034, FKZ 18OE035, FKZ 18OE036, FKZ 18OE037, FKZ 18OE038, FKZ 18OE112, FKZ 18OE113, FKZ 18OE114, FKZ 18OE115, VITIFIT, Plasmopara, viticola, Weinbau, Praxisforschungsnetzwerk
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
microencapsulation
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_35224
English
fungicides
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3146
English
grapevines
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3360
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Breeding, genetics and propagation
Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection
Crop husbandry > Production systems > Fruit and berries > Viticulture
Research affiliation: Switzerland > University of Basel
Germany > Federal Organic Farming Scheme - BOEL > Plants > Pflanzenschutz
Germany > Other organizations Germany
DOI:10.1016/j.cropro.2020.105382
Related Links:https://www.bundesprogramm.de/
Deposited By: Zug, Dr. Katharina
ID Code:55794
Deposited On:05 Jun 2025 06:57
Last Modified:05 Jun 2025 06:57
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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