Using Silicon Foliar Sprays to Suppress Powdery Mildew and Improve Fruit Quality in Vitis vinifera

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 5, May 2026 | pp. 78–83

DOI: 10.46882/2026.AAAS.120501

Research Article

Title: Using Silicon Foliar Sprays to Suppress Powdery Mildew and Improve Fruit Quality in Vitis vinifera

Names of Authors: Russo, A. E.¹, Bianchi, F. S.¹, and Marini, G.²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. ²Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Rome, Italy.

Abstract: Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe necator limits vineyard productivity and grape quality across Mediterranean processing zones. Widespread reliance on copper and sulfur sprays causes negative environmental accumulations in topsoil layers. This field investigation evaluated alternative applications of potassium silicate sprays (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% concentrations) across 'Chardonnay' grapevine plots (Vitis vinifera). Foliar treatments were applied at 14-day intervals from pre-bloom until berry veraison. Disease severity indexes on leaves and clusters fell by 68.4% and 72.5% respectively in the 1.5% silicon treatment zone compared to untreated control blocks. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that silicon accumulated within epidermal cell walls, building mechanical leaf barriers that restricted fungal germ tube penetrations. Concurrently, treated grape juice samples contained higher total anthocyanins and soluble solids. Yeast assimilable nitrogen contents rose by 18.5%, indicating high fermentative potential. These findings show that silicon foliar applications can replace traditional chemical options inside integrated pest management strategies.

Keywords: Viticulture; Disease resistance; Silicon accumulation; Fungal pathogen suppression; Grape juice quality; Sustainable crop protection.

Manuscript Timeline: Received January 05, 2026; Revised March 02, 2026; Accepted April 08, 2026; Published May 15, 2026.

Citation: Russo, A. E., Bianchi, F. S., and Marini, G. (2026). Using Silicon Foliar Sprays to Suppress Powdery Mildew and Improve Fruit Quality in Vitis vinifera. Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, 12(5), pp. 78–83.

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