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Problem

We all love wine , right?

France is the first producer and exporter of wine and represents approximately 16% of the world production. In fact, Aquitaine is one of the 4 most important french regions in terms of wine. However, vineyards are threatened by an oomycete called Plasmopara viticola , otherwise known as Downy Mildew which affects the quality of wine by causing irreparable damages on grapevine organs. This microorganism infects the grapevine’s tissues, particularly leaves, draining the plant’s resources and preventing its photosynthetic capacities.

The most common preventive treatment used by vineyards in the region is called « bouillie bordelaise » and is composed of copper sulfate , a product which has toxic effects on the surrounding soil. Although this treatment is efficient and does help to protect the plant from harmful microorganisms, this method has a bad environmental and sanitary impact since the copper present in the treatment infiltrates in the ground and prevents the growth of other types of plants, therefore impacting the biodiversity of the region. Furthermore, long term contact with these chemical components can create symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or renal/hepatic dysfunctions for those living in these contaminated areas.