Effects of fungicide reduction on biodiversity in vineyards (PIWIDiv)

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Pesticides are a main driver of global biodiversity loss. Agriculture has a special responsibility for biodiversity and vineyards are among the most intensively managed agroecosystems. Although grapevine is grown on only 1% of the agricultural area in Germany, it receives 33% of all fungicide applications. Beside pathogenic fungi against which fungicides are applied, non-target organisms such as soil fungi, springtails (Collembola) and spiders (Araneae) could be affected. These organisms represent an important fraction of the functional biodiversity in and on vineyard soils. They are involved in numerous ecosystem services like nutrient cycling (saprobic fungi, Collembola), mycorrhiza with grapevine (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF), or natural pest control (Araneae). Besides organic farming, the cultivation of fungus-resistant grape varieties (PIWI, Pilzwiderstandsfähige Rebsorten) is a promising alternative approach to the intensive use of agrochemicals with savings up to 90% of fungicides. The proposed project PIWIDiv aims to evaluate the impact of reduced pesticide spraying in PIWI varieties compared to traditional varieties in both conventional and organic viticulture on soil biodiversity. The results of PIWIDiv will reveal how fungus-resistant cultivars can contribute to sustainable agriculture.