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Disease

Microbial biocontrol

Authorised microbes that outcompete pathogens.

Microbial biocontrol uses authorised living microbes — Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens, Trichoderma, Aureobasidium pullulans — that compete with, parasitise or induce defences against vine pathogens.

It is mostly preventive and works best inside a programme, not as a “silver bullet”. Aureobasidium is particularly useful against botrytis by niche occupation on the cluster; others reinforce protection against powdery and downy mildew and help cut copper and sulfur.

Effort

Medium — application and product-viability management.

Cost

Medium to high per biological product.

Time to result

Preventive; best effect integrated across the season.

What it works against

Effectiveness by problem — click through for detail and metrics.

Botrytis control

Agents like Aureobasidium occupy the cluster niche ahead of botrytis, one of the most effective organic preventive defences.

Time horizon: 1 season

What to measure for this pairing

Rot incidencePreventive applications

Powdery mildew control

Some microbes (e.g. Bacillus, Ampelomyces) reinforce powdery-mildew protection, allowing sulfur to be cut.

Time horizon: 1 season

What to measure for this pairing

Powdery-mildew severitySulfur replaced

Pest control

Products like Bacillus thuringiensis control grapevine-moth larvae selectively, sparing beneficials.

Time horizon: 1 season

What to measure for this pairing

Clusters with moth damageTrap catches

Downy mildew control

Certain microbial agents reinforce downy-mildew defence within a programme, easing the pressure on copper.

Time horizon: 1 season

What to measure for this pairing

Copper replacedDowny-mildew severity

How it works

The microbes colonise the plant surface ahead of the pathogen, competing for space and nutrients and, in some cases, producing antagonistic compounds.

How to apply

  1. 1Choose the agent suited to the target (e.g. Aureobasidium for botrytis).
  2. 2Apply preventively, respecting viability conditions.
  3. 3Integrate into a programme with copper, sulfur and prevention.
  4. 4Log as an authorised input in the notebook.

What to measure

Biocontrol applicationsDisease incidenceCopper/sulfur replaced

Frequently asked

Does biocontrol replace copper and sulfur?

Rarely in full. It is most effective as part of an integrated programme, reducing dependence but not eliminating contact means in high-pressure years.

Are the products sensitive to conditions?

Yes — being living organisms, temperature, UV radiation and tank-mix compatibility affect viability. Following the guidance is essential.

Related reading

Biodynamic preparations: how and when to apply 500, 501 and the compost preps

Related means

Copper →Sulfur →Bicarbonate & plant extracts →Canopy management →

How GrapeFlow helps

Apply and document this means by plot, with an audit-ready history for certification.

Phytosanitary register with authorised inputs

In Portugal, every treatment is logged with product, rate and active substance, flagging what is allowed under organic rules — an audit-ready history.

Electronic field notebook (Portugal)

In Portugal, all operations — weeding, green manure, biocontrol — logged by plot and date, ready for organic certification.

Downy & powdery mildew risk models

Per-plot disease risk from local weather, to treat at the right moment and spend less copper and sulfur.

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