Organic farming is an alternative agricultural system that does not use synthetic chemicals. It is concerned about the environmental impact and public health.
Organic farming does not mean “without treatments”, but that the products used are of natural origin.
Organic farming is not necessarily a guarantee of quality but an assurance of a good production method controlled by external organizations.
The vine is a demanding and fragile plant which needs a lot of care. It is sensitive to a few well-known fungi, including downy mildew, powdery mildew and black rot, which must be controlled with preventive treatments.
In order to fight against these diseases and following the industrialization of agriculture, plant protection products including synthetic chemical molecules (pesticide) have been created. About 260 molecules are found in nature, which does not necessarily know how to assimilate them. Environmental and public health problems arise.
These molecules replaced the natural molecules of copper and sulfur.
Copper is mainly used to treat mildew. If used in high concentrations, it is harmful to soil microorganisms; but if used in small amounts, its impact is greatly reduced.
As for sulfur, it is a mineral element easily assimilated by soils.
In order to limit the harmful impact of synthetic chemical molecules, we only use copper and sulfur as treatment products (natural molecules authorized in organic farming).
In order to limit the risk of diseases, a great work of prophylaxis is carried out. The aim is to avoid an environment favorable to disease (heap of vegetation) and to make more efficient the few treatments carried out.
Therefore, it is a much more qualified and involved workforce that will do the different tasks: disbudding, controlling the foliage, keep the vines aerated.
Thanks to this spring work and a well-targeted and at the right time application of treatments, we are able to significantly reduce our treatments (IFT 20 times lower than the average of Savoie).
