European vineyards are facing a period of maximum complexity in their fight against downy mildew. The disease has intensified its behaviour in recent years, driven by increasingly irregular weather patterns and ever‑narrower treatment windows, forcing technicians to work with unprecedented precision. Added to this is the progressive reduction of active substances, which has limited the available alternatives, increasing pressure on control programmes and raising the risk of resistance.
In this context, controlling downy mildew no longer depends on isolated interventions, but on preventive, robust and well‑structured strategies capable of maintaining control throughout the entire season.
A pathogen that gives no respite
Downy mildew remains one of the most challenging diseases to manage in vineyards. Its rapid development and direct impact on the cluster mean that any failure at a key moment can compromise the entire season. As Gonzalo Prieto, Crop Manager at Certis Belchim, reminds us, ‘if control is lost at a critical moment, the consequences are rapid and difficult to reverse.’
Moreover, risk periods are becoming increasingly concentrated, making it essential to rely on persistent, reliable products capable of maintaining control even when weather conditions hinder access to the field.
What a modern anti‑mildew programme needs today
Experts agree that an effective programme must meet three essential requirements:
- Reliability and stability — it is not enough to achieve punctual efficacy; the product must sustain control throughout the cycle.
- Strong cluster protection — the most sensitive organ and the one that determines final quality.
- Strategic fit — each solution must be used at the right moment to avoid resistance and maximise its contribution to the programme.
In other words, ‘with fewer solutions available, each product must be used at the right time and with a clear objective,’ Prieto explains.
Mildicut Max: a tool designed to deliver stability
In this scenario, Mildicut Max from Certis Belchim positions itself as a solution that helps build more balanced programmes capable of withstanding the variability of each season. Its combination of systemic and contact activity allows it to protect both the cluster and the foliage at different crop stages.
As Prieto notes, ‘Mildicut Max brings stability to the programme and helps build more balanced strategies.’
Its most relevant attributes include:
- Translaminar activity, ensuring homogeneous tissue coverage.
- High rainfastness, essential in seasons with frequent or unpredictable rainfall.
- Activation of the plant’s natural defences, an added value for programmes seeking to diversify modes of action.
- Proven efficacy in sensitive stages, where continuity of protection is critical.
An ally against resistance risk
Resistance management is now one of the pillars of downy mildew control. With fewer active substances available, rotation and complementarity have become essential. Mildicut Max contributes to diversifying the programme and reducing pressure on the most commonly used modes of action, supporting more responsible and sustainable management.
Looking ahead: anticipation and strategy
The sector’s main challenge is to maintain effective control with fewer tools and in an increasingly demanding environment. The key lies in anticipating, protecting the active substances that remain available, and designing programmes that look beyond the current season.
