Zorica Rankovic-Vasic

Plant protection products in organic grapevine growing.

Pests and grapevine diseases in organic production are suppressed by preventive measures with a view to reducing the impact of the attack. Allowed substances acting on patogenous fungi, insects, mites and other harmful organisms are used, if appropriate. Insecticides of plant origin are used in the organic production of grapevine, as well as vegetable oils, powders and insecticidal soaps that are selective, with a narrow range of effects and of lower toxicity, as well as biological products. As a rule, such plant protection products require a more frequent application. Copper-based and sulphur-based fungicides are still leading products in suppressing grapevine diseases. Researches are directed to decrease the quantity of application and to find their replacement by also efficient fungicides. A special emphasis is put on researching the efficient fungicides for suppressing Botrytis bunch rot and factors causing grapevine wood diseases (Esca and Eutypa) in organic production. Along with copper and sulphur, different substances such as bicarbonates, plant extracts and oils, biological products being parasites, patogenous or diseases agent antagonists, and natural products such as milk and whey are applied in the organic production of grapevine.

Natural process and use of natural matters in organic viticulture

During recent years organic viticulture has been developing in the leading viticulture countries worldwide. The organic viticulture has been defined as the application of procedures of organic agriculture in view of increasing the production of top quality grape and wine. All the aspects of the organic viticulture such as cultivating and maintaining the soil, ground cover plants and weed control, balanced nutrition of grapevine, growing systems, disease and pest control are carried out in view of increasing the quality and health safety of wine and table varieties. When making a choice of a cultivar, there are two key factors: an economic indicator-market perspective and characteristics of a cultivar. Traditional varieties are in advantage in comparison to newly created ones, new preparations, improved computerised forecast models contribute to the efficient protection from disease and pests. New I.C./PIWI varieties must show tolerance to low winter temperatures and/or spring frosts, real commercial value through the quality of fruit, wine, juice or table grapes, tolerance to diseases and pests, balanced relationship between fruit and wood ripening. The aim of this paper is to present organic viticulture through integral agroecosystem and traditionally applied procedures in viticulture.