Esca is a big problem for the wine industry © Shutterstock
A breathable and biodegradable adhesive patch to block fungal invasion of vine pruning wounds has been developed by nanotechnology scientists in the US.
Symptoms of fungal disease esca, or vine decline, include reduced yields, stunted growth and even the sudden death of vines. Esca is prevalent throughout the world and poses a significant threat to the wine industry – some countries have lost 40% of their grape harvest to the fungus. Often whole collections of vines have to be removed and replaced. No fungicide treatment is available – sodium arsenite was previously used for control in Europe, but is now banned for health reasons.
Interested? To read the full article, please visit Chemistry World.
The original article can be accessed below:
Biodegradable and Biocompatible Soy Protein/Polymer/Adhesive Sticky Nano-textured Interfacial Membranes for Prevention of Esca Fungi Invasion into Pruning Cuts and Wounds of Vines
Soumyadip Sett, Min Wook Lee, Martin Weith, B Pourdeyhimi and Alexander Yarin
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C4TB01887G
