Key Takeaways
- Amoéba and IFV+ conducted successful vineyard trials in Southwest France to evaluate AXPERA, a biofungicide for grapevine downy mildew.
- Results showed a 57.7% reduction in symptoms using AXPERA combined with a reduced dose of copper, compared to 37.5% with traditional copper treatments.
- The trials highlight AXPERA’s potential to reduce copper use in viticulture, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fungicides.
- Downy mildew caused significant damage in 2024 due to favorable conditions, with untreated vineyards experiencing nearly 95% grape destruction.
- AXPERA’s French and European approval is expected by late 2025 or early 2026, aiming to meet growers’ needs quickly.
Breakthrough in Sustainable Viticulture
Amoéba (FR0011051598 – ALMIB), a greentech company specializing in microbiological solutions, has announced promising results from a 2024 vineyard trial conducted in partnership with IFV+ in Southwest France. The study evaluated AXPERA, a biofungicide based on amoeba lysates, for its effectiveness against grapevine downy mildew, caused by the fungus Plasmopara viticola.
The trial, carried out on the Mauzac grape variety in the Gaillac appellation, tested AXPERA in combination with a reduced dose of copper under challenging conditions. In untreated vineyards, nearly 95% of grape clusters were affected, with an average destruction rate of 80%. However, the combination of AXPERA and reduced copper dosage demonstrated a 57.7% reduction in symptoms, significantly outperforming the 37.5% reduction achieved with standard copper treatments.
“These are very encouraging results for combating downy mildew, especially given the challenging conditions,” said Eric Chantelot, IFV+ lead and Ecophyto expert. “The AXPERA and copper combination provides enhanced protection, even with reduced copper dosages, and shows greater efficacy on grape clusters than leaves—a rarity for biocontrol products.”
Reducing Copper Use in Viticulture
Copper-based treatments have long been the cornerstone of downy mildew management, but concerns about their environmental impact have driven interest in sustainable alternatives. AXPERA’s ability to reduce copper use while maintaining efficacy represents a significant advancement in sustainable viticulture practices.
“This success demonstrates once again that our AXPERA biofungicide is a major breakthrough for vineyard protection in France and Europe, even in a year of high mildew pressure like 2024,” said Jean-François Doucet, CEO of Amoéba. “We now look forward to rapid approval of AXPERA at the French and European levels to meet the needs of growers as soon as possible.”
Challenging Conditions for 2024 Vintage
The 2024 growing season in Southwest France was marked by exceptional conditions for downy mildew development, including frequent rain, prolonged humidity, and favorable temperatures. The trial area experienced 147 mm more rainfall than average (+80%), creating significant disease pressure.
Despite these conditions, the AXPERA and reduced copper combination delivered consistent protection for both leaves and grape clusters, demonstrating its potential as a robust solution for integrated disease management.
Next Steps
Amoéba and IFV+ plan to continue refining AXPERA’s integration into viticulture programs under diverse climatic conditions and across various wine regions in France. With French and European regulatory approvals expected by late 2025 or early 2026, AXPERA is positioned to become a valuable tool for sustainable vineyard management.
