As the demand for environmentally friendly wines grows, grape growers are turning to sustainable agricultural practices, and Liette Vasseur is leading the way in researching effective nature-based cultivation methods.
A Brock University Biology professor, Vasseur heads a national research team focused on enhancing soil health and biodiversity in Ontario vineyards.
The research team is exploring how local cover crops and native species can contribute to the sustainability of vineyards. These plants serve multiple purposes, including soil moisture retention, erosion prevention, nutrient provision, and weed and pest suppression.
Their project, titled "Promoting an integrative landscape approach in vineyards for greater resilience in the face of climatic and environmental changes," is part of the federal government’s Organic Science Cluster 4 (OSC4) initiative, which aims to promote environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
Vasseur, who holds the UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability and is a fellow at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), has previously shown that specific cover crops, such as legumes, grasses, and flowering plants, can boost ecosystem health and improve agricultural resilience.
In this new research, she and her team which includes Assistant Professor Jim Willwerth, Principal Scientist Sudarsana Poojari, and Assistant Professor Alonso Zavafer—will investigate whether native cover crops can be introduced to local vineyards. They will also study the interaction between these plants, the vines, and beneficial insects that aid in vine growth.
“Testing native species and other alternatives can help organic and sustainable grape growers reduce the impact of climate change, improve carbon sequestration and support the presence of beneficial insects, ensuring the sustainability of their vineyards,” Vasseur explains.
The team will also evaluate the effectiveness of sticky cards coated pieces of cardboard used to trap insects as a pest control method. Green sticky cards have already been successful in organic tea plantations for controlling leafhoppers, and Vasseur’s team is testing their efficacy in vineyards, where these pests are also a concern.
Moreover, the research will explore how adding trees and shrubs to vineyard perimeters and hedgerows can help sequester carbon and further mitigate climate change.
“Using nature-based systems to raise crops is a powerful example of how creative, innovative thinking can protect our environment while promoting economic development at the same time, which the Brock University team is honing through this project,” says Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines.
The OSC4 initiative is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriScience Program, with additional support from over 80 partners contributing to a $12.1 million investment over five years.