AERTIC is participating in the second edition of the OPEN-DIGIVINE project
AERTIC is participating in the second edition of the OPEN-DIGIVINE project, which aims to predict pest infestations, minimize the use of pesticides, and optimize vineyard management
The main objective of the project is to establish an open network that incorporates as many weather stations and soil and plant sensors as possible—both public and private—located in Spanish vineyards, starting with a pilot project in Catalonia.
Given the positive results of the first edition of this project, which was launched with the same objectives, this new phase has been launched with the same participating partners: Associació AEI Innovi, Encore Lab, Tamic, Herencia Altés, and the Roqueta Origen winery. AERTIC, a La Rioja-based ICT cluster specializing in project promotion and management, will be responsible for coordinating, managing, and publicizing the project.
While the first project focused on refining the predictive model for powdery mildew, this time the risks to the vineyard—downy mildew and the grape berry moth—will be studied with a view to prevention.
In all cases, the goal is to identify the optimal time when phytosanitary treatments are most effective in preventing a real risk, using a free tool that will help us implement integrated pest management with the least possible environmental impact. In addition, data from soil sensors—both from existing stations and those to be connected in the future—will be used to compare different management practices and identify those that result in more efficient water management in rain-fed vineyards.
The Specific technical objectives of the project There are several:
Continue to expand the network of weather stations and sensors that enable the full integration of data from various providers into a common platform for analysis, visualization, and the generation of alerts for winegrowers in the monitored designations of origin. To this end, new stations will be added to the 29 installed during the first phase of the project and to all public stations operated by AEMET and the Catalan Meteorological Service.
Training Winegrowers in Digital Technologies. Through on-site training provided by technical specialists in the sector, the use of decision-support systems will be promoted as an alternative to the sector’s current heavy reliance on personal experience.
Validate a model for predicting downy mildew and a model for predicting the flight of the grape berry moth tailored to the different subzones and calibrated with field measurements to optimize its performance, robustness, and reliability. In the case of downy mildew, the model will be able to incorporate treatments to adjust infection risks.
Test the various database features open by comparing various small-scale soil management trials, thereby enabling the adoption of appropriate viticultural management techniques for the rational use of the limited water resources available in rain-fed vineyards.