Enhancing vineyard resilience: three years of weather-based disease modeling in Moldova’s precision viticulture
Abstract
Due to ongoing climate change, managing vineyard diseases has become increasingly challenging in the Republic of Moldova. Viticulture, being a strategic agricultural sector in the country, is particularly affected by the unpredictability of weather patterns and the resulting increase in disease pressure. Compounding the issue are the high costs of pesticides, their negative environmental impact, and concerns over grape quality for winemaking, particularly related to chemical residues. Over the last five years, a network of 12 demonstration plots established in commercial vineyards across Republic of Moldova has been used to assess the effectiveness of disease control based on weather monitoring and digital modeling tools. The approach relies on advanced weather stations equipped with sensors that collect real-time agro-meteorological data. These data are integrated into the FieldClimate.com platform to generate disease risk models for key grapevine pathogens. The study has demonstrated that data-driven disease forecasting allows for significant reductions in the number of chemical treatments applied during the growing season, without compromising grape quality or yield. Furthermore, this strategy supports residue minimization and improved compliance with export standards. This experience highlights the importance of adopting precision viticulture technologies to improve sustainability in grape production. Weather-based disease modeling offers a scalable, environmentally friendly approach to vineyard protection, making it a relevant solution for viticulture worldwide in the context of climate change and increasing demand for eco-conscious wine production.
DOI:
Publication date: 22/09/2025
Issue: 46th World Congress of Vine and Wine
Type: Oral
Authors
1 Pessl Instruments GmbH, Weiz, Austria
2 The National Office of Vine and Wine (ONVV), Chisinau, Republic of Moldova