Technical Yearbook 2024

• Efficacy: Sometimes, BCAs may not provide the same level of immediate and predictable disease control as synthetic fungicides. • Knowledge gap: Commercialising biopesticides often involves proprietary formulations, limiting publicly available information on successful production and application methods. • Registration and patenting: This can be complex and time-consuming, particularly in certain regions (e.g., Europe). • Farmer adoption: Financial incentives for farmers to switch from conventional fungicides to BCAs might be limited, especially if they are unaware of and have no experience with this approach.

Challenges aside, there is a strong trend to use microbial biocontrol agents for plant disease management. Therefore, research in this field is expected to continue to attract increasing attention, opening new highways toward an environmentally sustainable future. The authors are part of the ‘Natural microbial interactions in winemaking-associated ecosystems as a tool to foster wine innovation’ (Eco2Wine) research consortium, of which Stellenbosch University is also part. South Africa Wine and Reyneke Wines are industry partners in the project.  References https://www.wineland.co.za/biocontrol-in-viticulture/

Funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement 101119480. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2024