INNOVATION
GO APIS uses beehives as natural sensors of the vineyard. Bees travel 10 km² around the hive and during their flight they collect spores, pollen, particles and microorganisms from the environment. By analysing what they bring back to the hive, we can know weeks in advance which fungal diseases are present in the vineyard and also estimate how much grape we are going to harvest before it ripens. It is precision science using one of the best sensors nature has ever created.
PARTNERS
FEUGA (Galicia)· UNAV/BIOMA · BeeHappy Apicultura·Monet· Bodegas La Horra· Itsasmendi·Bodegas Ochoa
WHY DO WE DO IT?
Today we treat the vineyard against diseases based on the calendar or weather forecasts, without knowing exactly whether the pathogen is already present or not. APIS would allow us to treat only when there is real risk, reducing the number of treatments and the cost of plant protection products (savings of up to €180/ha in conventional vineyards are estimated). In addition, early harvest estimation improves our winery planning. And on top of that, we have our own beehives in Traibuenas, which are already part of our history.
OBJECTIVES
- Develop an early warning system for downy mildew and botrytis for our Navarra vineyards.
- Consolidate a harvest estimation model based on vine pollen counts collected by the bees.
- Obtain data on environmental microplastics in our surroundings (Traibuenas) and whether they enter the food chain.
- Design a sustainable vineyard management protocol validated across four different wine-growing regions.
- Gain national and international visibility: Bodegas Ochoa organises the project's technical conference and participates in the audiovisual materials.
