BioGEM Researcher Studies Chilean Bacteria as a Natural Solution to Combat Diseases Affecting Vineyards
A recent study reveals certain Chilean bacteria can inhibit up to 30% of a fungal pathogen responsible for diseases in vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon. A key finding for developing biopesticides and advancing sustainable agriculture.
Diyanira Castillo, a student in the PhD in Biotechnology program at USM-PUCV—under the guidance of academics Dr. Michael Seeger and Dr. Ximena Besoain—and a researcher at the Milenio Nucleus BioGEM, is studying how native Chilean bacteria could control diseases damaging vineyards, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.
Her research, recently published in the journal Plants, focuses on combating the fungus Neofusicoccum parvum, which causes one of the most destructive wood diseases in vines (internationally known as GTDs). This pathogen reduces plant productivity and has severely affected varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
The study evaluated various bacterial strains isolated from Chilean flora, identifying that some of them (Pseudomonas) inhibited fungal growth by more than 30%. These results stand out for their potential to develop biopesticides, aligning with the pursuit of sustainable agriculture promoted by the BioGEM Nucleus, funded by ANID.
Castillo emphasized the significant contribution of this research to the conservation of natural resources—particularly Chile's endemic flora—stating, "We cannot talk about protecting our ecosystem if, at the same time, harmful practices are being used, such as the excessive use of copper and other chemicals that destroy not only crops but the entire environment".
"The next major challenge is to bring these advances to small-scale farmers, those who depend on their orchards for their livelihood. It is necessary to change the mindset that only chemicals guarantee production and profits when, in reality, they harm the ecosystem and their own health in the long term", she added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Seeger, Professor at the Department of Chemistry of the Universidad Técnico Federico Santa María (USM) and Director of the Milenio Nucleus BioGEM, noted that the study "demonstrates the impact of native bacteria from Chile's extreme ecosystems in protecting vines against pathogens in vitro, in vivo, and in situ, being recognized by the national and international scientific community and directly benefiting viticulture".
Economic and Environmental Impact
In Chile, viticulture is a key economic and cultural activity, with production increasingly affected by these diseases. For example, recent studies have reported an alarming incidence in Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, with losses rising from 39% to 46%.
Castillo's work not only proposes an ecological solution but also reveals that young vines are more vulnerable—especially the Sauvignon Blanc variety—providing vital information to optimize sustainable control strategies.