Preserving Belgian vineyards with the VITIBEL project

With almost 900 hectares of vines under cultivationn recent years, winegrowing in Belgium has undergone significant expansion (x8 in 10 years). However, this expansion raises plant health concerns. The fact is vines are threatened by a wide range ofa wide range of pathogens that can be easily spread by grapevines, includingincluding viruses, viroids and bacteria (including phytoplasmas).

Faced with this reality, the VITIBEL project, a collaboration between Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (University of Liège) and ILVO, was launched in May 2023. Its main objective is toimprove understanding of the phytosanitary risks associated with viticulture in Belgium, with particular emphasis on the phytoplasmas and pathogenic viruses affecting vineyards.

VITIBEL aims to carry out a field survey of winegrowers in order to understand the supply chain for plantscurrent impact and knowledge of viral diseasesviral and from monitor Belgian vineyards to identify viruses (by high-throughput sequencing), and phytoplasmas (by PCR). This project is not limited to detection; it also aims to compare the genetic diversity of Belgian viruses with those of neighboring countries, for a broader perspective on the management of phytosanitary risks.

In addition to the baseline survey, VITIBEL aims to strengthen Belgium's capacity to detect regulated pathogens and respond effectively to outbreaks. This includes gathering relevant information, training inspectors and winegrowers in symptom recognition, selecting and validating reliable diagnostic tests, and disseminating crucial information to stakeholders.

The results obtained by VITIBEL will have direct implications for the Belgian wine sector, providing improved detection tools and control strategies, and influencing legislative policies to better manage pathogens. Ultimately, the VITIBEL project should not only improve the quality and yield of Belgian vineyards, but also their market share, ensuring safer and more sustainable production.

Supported at Gembloux by Professor Sébastien Massart and Lavena Van Cranenbroeck, doctoral student and at ILVO by Kris DeJonghe and Fauve Meertens, this project is an eloquent example of how applied research and land monitoring can directly benefit the wine industry and society as a whole.

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