Bicarbonate & plant extracts against downy mildew control
The effectiveness, measured
Time horizon: Immediate
Why it works
Some extracts and oils give a contact reinforcement against downy mildew, useful to ease reliance on copper.
What to measure for this pairing
Why this problem matters
Downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) is the disease that pins the organic grower hardest. Without systemic synthetic fungicides, defence rests on copper and contact products, which only protect what they cover — forcing you to treat ahead of infection and renew after rain.
Management lives on a tension: protect the vineyard without exceeding the EU copper cap (28 kg/ha over 7 years). That means treating at the right moment, at the minimum effective rate, backed by risk models and rigorous logging of every application.
Problem indicators
Certification & rules: Central to organic status and the EU copper cap — audited at certification.
How to apply the means
- 1Fit them into the programme as reinforcement and rotation.
- 2Apply preventively, with good coverage.
- 3Reapply frequently (short persistence).
- 4Log them as part of the phytosanitary programme.
Frequently asked
Does bicarbonate replace sulfur?
Not entirely — it is mostly a complement and alternative in specific windows, helping to reduce and rotate with sulfur.
Are all extracts allowed in organic?
No. Only those on the authorised-input lists — which is why logging by active substance is essential.
Same means, other problems
Same problem, other means — Downy mildew
How GrapeFlow helps
The proof organic certification demands — logged by plot and date.
Phytosanitary register with authorised inputs
Every treatment logged with product, rate and active substance, flagging what is allowed under organic rules — an audit-ready history.
Downy & powdery mildew risk models
Per-plot disease risk from local weather, to treat at the right moment and spend less copper and sulfur.
Electronic field notebook
All operations — weeding, green manure, biocontrol — logged by plot and date, ready for organic certification.