Exceptional Organic Grapes from Italy and Greece
& Sustainable Fungus Resistant Varieties
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It is no news that conventional viticulture is one of the most demanding cultivations in terms of its overall plant protection spraying and heavy use of fungicides. Viticulture in Europe alone uses about 40% of the crop protection products in the whole of its agriculture. A French lobby Group presents an important example illustrating this point, stating that “France’s vineyards, which cover only 3.7% of the total agricultural surface area, account for about 20% of France’s chemical treatment use.”
Organic Grapes refrain from the use of such chemicals yet in order to combat the same issues, organic grape cultivation, remains challenging and growers have to use copper repeatedly, which can lead to other problems such as soil build-up. In addition, the small amount of registered products makes it difficult to alternate products to reduce disease resistance to fungicides. In an effort to address these issues, Lema has created affiliations with growers in Italy and Greece that are transitioning to new fungus resistant varieties. Fungus-resistant grape varieties carry different genes that improve their resistance to fungal infections. |
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They carry some resistance genes that reduce occurrences of diseases mainly on foliage and clusters. These varieties are not ‘disease resistant’ but more disease tolerant. As they reduce the use of fungicides during growing season and reduce costs for diseases management and watering, these varieties can majorly facilitate an organic production.
By using these new varieties along with some other cultivation techniques that include coverage of the grapes and exclusion of synthetic fertilisers our growers in Italy have managed to reduce copper treatments by 70% compared to the standard organic cultivations and when combined with micro-irrigation, allow water savings of over 35%!
In addition, these new varieties are of exceptional taste and appearance making them very appealing to consumers so we strongly feel that supporting growers who adapt to the new varieties could lead to a brighter day for both consumers and the environment.
By using these new varieties along with some other cultivation techniques that include coverage of the grapes and exclusion of synthetic fertilisers our growers in Italy have managed to reduce copper treatments by 70% compared to the standard organic cultivations and when combined with micro-irrigation, allow water savings of over 35%!
In addition, these new varieties are of exceptional taste and appearance making them very appealing to consumers so we strongly feel that supporting growers who adapt to the new varieties could lead to a brighter day for both consumers and the environment.
Grape Variety Calendar 2020
Wanna find out more about the work we do? Check out our CORE assortment but make sure you don't miss the special products featured yearly in the LEMA BOUTIQUE.