UVineSafe

UV-C light to trigger the vine’s defences, in the largest UV living lab in the field.

Matglow UV-C gantries installed between the rows of an experimental vineyard

UVineSafe assesses how ultraviolet light (UV-C) can trigger the plant’s own defence mechanisms, preventing or delaying attacks by pests and pathogens in vineyards without harming the plant or beneficial fauna, and reducing the use of synthetic pesticides. With Castros, Matglow developed and installed the field equipment of the largest UV living lab carried out directly in the vineyard so far.

Objectives and activities

Build a UV-C application prototype that can be fitted to the machinery used in commercial vineyards
Develop a forecasting model, based on weather conditions and the life cycle of pests and diseases, for more precise treatments
Select the most effective dose and frequency of application

Project images

UV-C gantry on rails travelling along a vineyard row

Rails installed along the vineyard row for the UV-C gantry

The UVineSafe consortium team in the experimental vineyard

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Do you have an engineering challenge or an R&D project?

Tell us what you need. We reply by email or phone, and we can meet at your premises or at our lab in Espinho.

Discuss a project +351 227 329 029