Vinny Project
Research and Innovation Objectives (RIO)
VINNY’s Research and Innovation Objectives (RIOs) are at the core of our mission, shaping the future of sustainable viticulture through advanced research and innovative solutions.
RIO 01
Research and Innovation Objective
The goal is to identify and develop new bioactive agents as biopesticides. This includes studying existing actives from grapevines, recovering microbiota from VINNY vineyards, and extracting bioactives from various grapevine parts. Additionally, bio-oils will be produced from pruning residues to test their pesticidal properties.
The goal is to formulate effective biopesticides, achieving at least six agents or mixtures that show comparable disease protection to conventional products.
RIO 02
Research and Innovation Objective
The main aim of objective is to develop biofertilisers (BFs) using nutrient-rich biochar derived from solid waste and nitrogen-rich compounds from the meat industry.
This will involve recycling carbon, phosphorus, and potassium from the solid waste of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) through pyrolysis Nitrogen will be recovered from blood residues. The recycled nutrients will be formulated into effective BFs.
The Project aims to validate at least six active mixtures capable of substituting chemical fertilizers and enhancing plant nutrient uptake.
RIO 03
Research and Innovation Objective
This focuses on creating advanced bioactive platforms using nanoencapsulation as well as agrotextiles for BFs to optimise the effectiveness of the BPs and BFs. This includes developing passive nanoformulations for slow release, as well as stimuli-responsive nanoformulations that can detect pathogens and respond to mechanical triggers.
In parallel, agrotextiles will be developed and impregnated with the novel nanoBFs to modulate their release in the vineyard soil. The main goal is to produce at least six passive and four stimuli-responsive nanoformulations, along with four agrotextile platforms enhanced for better stability and controlled delivery.
RIO 04
Research and Innovation Objective
The fourth Research and Innovation Objective will validate the efficacy of the nanoformulated biopesticides (BPs) and biofertilisers (BFs) through a series of in vitro, in planta, and field tests, comparing them against the in use fertilisers and pesticides. This includes testing their impact on soil and plants under different geographical conditions at the project vineyards (i.e. Portugal, Austria, ,Spain and Denmark)while ensuring compliance with EU agri-food market regulations.
The expected outcomes include the validation of at least two passive and two stimuli-responsive nanoBPs, optimal nanoBFs impregnated agrotextiles, a 25-50% reduction in the quantities of nanoBPs used compared to conventional pesticides, and enhanced nutrient content in grape must.
RIO 05
Research and Innovation Objective
The aims to ensure the safety and sustainability of the project by conducting thorough risk assessments and life cycle analyses. This will involve evaluating nanotoxicology impacts on humans and the environment, performing short-, medium-, and long-term life cycle and cost assessments, a Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) platform will be also established and considered by the project activities.
Additionally, safety protocols for end-users will be developed to ensure compliance with agri-food market regulations. The Project aspires to demonstrate a reduction in toxicity by at least 30% compared to conventional products by the newly developed products while their cost-effectiveness will be analysed for production.
RIO 06
Research and Innovation Objective
Focuses on the dissemination, exploitation, communication, and social science and humanities (SSH) activities of the Project. This includes sharing research through publications, conferences, and workshops, as well as raising societal awareness and establishing collaborations with other EU projects. Exploitation efforts will involve market surveys and the development of business models for the Project’s products. Communication strategies will include creating a project website, social media content, and informational materials.
Additionally, SSH activities will involve setting up living labs in Spain, Denmark, and Austria, and a VINNY-Lighthouse in Portugal to support sustainable vineyard practices, along with conducting Social Life Cycle Assessment studies.
