Jul 14, 2021
Researchers, vintners explore using UV lights to reduce powdery mildew

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner, Oregon, was concerned for the safety of its employees and guests, so it invested in HVAC system improvements that purified the air using UV-C light technology developed by NASA, killing viruses in the air, including COVID-19.

UV lights have been shown to disrupt DNA in powdery mildew. Photo: Willamette Valley Vineyards

It was from that work that founder Jim Bernau started reading about how a special band of ultraviolet light, UV-C effectively kills fungus, including the biggest disease threat to the company’s grapes, powdery mildew.

By teaming up with Saga Robotics, Cornell University and USDA scientists at Oregon State University, Willamette Valley Vineyards is testing UV-C light with the world’s first autonomous, electric-powered robot to be used in a commercial vineyard.

“For us, the use of organic sulfur could be replaced, but for many farmers, fungicides would no longer be necessary,” the company stated.

Over 100 million pounds of chemical fungicides are used each year to prevent powdery mildew in the U.S. alone. The major pathogen, powdery mildew, is now developing chemical resistance in U.S. agriculture and requiring more frequent and higher doses of chemicals.

“Our hope is that this technology revolutionizes the agriculture industry by reducing the use of harmful fungicides and chemicals while being cost effective for widespread adoption,” Willamette Valley Vineyards said on its website.

“Many thanks to our owners and wine club members for their support in the purchase of this robotic invention from Norway – adding to our industry’s collective efforts to develop the most sustainable practices for agriculture,” the posting said.