Application of a completely organic and bio-degradable sugar-based insulating coating to vine shoots, to prevent late frost damages

An innovative method against late frosts in vineyard has been developed at CIRIAF, University of Perugia. It consists an organic coating made by cotton candy and straw to prevent the vine shoots freezing due frosts. This technique already tested lab-scale with very encouraging results. paper aims experiment effect applied on young grapevine during artificially controlled frost events. A shoot covered was positioned climatic chamber a thermocouple rolled up control its temperature. Also, without inside chamber, used as reference case. Results show that temperature gap, gained adoption insulating layer approximately range 0.2 – 3.2 °C, but not enough maintain above ice-point able lab. Even thought, experimental application present allowed detect some crucial challenges which need be solved before test this technology real situations.