The Generalitat Valenciana, through the Department of Innovation, Industry, Trade, and Tourism, finances our BotVid-Sensor project for the development of an early and low-cost alert system to identify the presence of Botrytis cinerea in vine crops even before the first signs of infection are observed. The initiative also benefits from the financial support of the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) and funding from the European Union under the FEDER Community of Valencia program for the period 2021-2027.
The BotVid-Sensor project aims to develop a portable system that can be used in the field by non-specialized personnel, facilitating early, routine and low-cost detection of this fungus, responsible for one of the most harmful and widespread fungal diseases, known as gray mold.
What makes this project even more exciting is its multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. Renowned institutions such as the Institute of Integrative and Systems Biology (I2SysBio) and the Mediterranean Agroforestry Institute (IAM), along with the company Valgenetics and La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera, are joining forces to tackle this challenge.
In addition to its immediate impact on viticulture, this project also opens the door to future applications in sustainable agriculture, demonstrating that innovation can lead to solutions that not only protect our crops but also preserve the environment and human health.
With financial support at both regional and European levels, and the commitment of all stakeholders involved, BotVid-SENSOR promises not only to transform the way we address this particular threat in vineyards but also to pave the way for a safer and more sustainable agricultural future for all.
