The current changes in climatic conditions including recurrent droughts in Mediterranean countries become a huge threat to the sustainability of grape production, food security and farmers’ incomes in this region. In addition, the majority of the grown grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) is susceptible to fungal diseases requiring use of chemical pesticides that are harmful to human health and the environment. A true challenge is currently the evolution towards production systems combining sustainability, economic viability, and more eco-friendly practices. Using and managing functional microbial diversity (FMD) with beneficial viticultural practices is among the most promising and innovative levers in farming system. Manipulation of plant microbiome has great potential in reducing disease incidences, promoting plant growth and fitness and increasing productivity even under stress conditions.

MiDiVine project aimed at developing knowledge, tools and integrated approaches based on grapevine genetic resources and agricultural practices promoting functional microbial diversity (FMD) to better improve grapevine production and resistance against the main foliar and trunk diseases (grey mold, downy mildew and esca) under drought stress conditions, thereby reducing pesticide use in vineyards.

The project will focus on the characterization of FMD and the identification of beneficial microbes from traditional cultivated/elite cultivars with different practices and indigenous vines for improving grapevine health and productivity in open vineyards under water shortage conditions. MiDiVine project will analyze the impact of plant genotype, soil type and agricultural practices including the use of covers and service plants, on FMD and the efficiency of beneficial microbes against diseases under stress conditions. The proposal will therefore provide innovative and sustainable solution to improve agroecosystem services by managing soil microbiome and intercropping in Mediterranean countries in order to reduce dependency on agro-chemical pesticides in vineyards,

These objectives might be achieved through the development of instruments, such as innovation partnerships, to promote innovation in viticulture by bridging the existing gap between research and farming practices and facilitating communication and cooperation among stakeholders. The project will especially focus on (i) the valorization of local/elite grapevine genotypes and indigenous varieties to characterize FMD to increase sustainability and resilience of farming systems; (ii) understanding the genetic and physiological bases of grapevine adaptation to abiotic stress and resistance to pathogenic oomycete and fungi and development of new protection strategies through multi-factorial approaches, based mainly on the promotion of beneficial FMD; (iii) identifying beneficial microbes and managing FMD in vineyard systems as an innovative strategy for restoring soil functionality, avoiding water scarcity, ensuring sustainable grapevine protection against diseases, and thus improving profitability and (iv) disseminating practical experiences within Mediterranean regions with local cultural practices in which the actors will develop, test and validate the new tools and strategies integrating FMD for effective resilience to drought as well as integrated disease management in new farming systems.