Chao-Jen Wang
Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, MOA
Changhua County, Changhua, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Ching Ching Hsu
Taichung district agricultural research and extension station
Changhua County, Changhua, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Yung-Feng Ho
Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, MOA
Changhua County, Changhua, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Chin-Yuan Chang
Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, MOA
Changhua County, Changhua, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Wen-Pin Yeh
Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, MOA
Changhua County, Changhua, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Powdery mildew (Uncinula necator) and rust (Phakopsora euvitis) are major fungal diseases in greenhouse grape production. Fungicide overuse raises concerns about pathogen resistance and environmental impact. This study evaluates UV-C light as a non-chemical approach to suppress pathogens and reduce fungicide reliance while assessing grapevine leaf tolerance. Controlled experiments tested UV-C (254 nm) on U. necator and P. euvitis spores, environmental fungi (Cladosporium oryzae, Colletotrichum vineferum, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger), and grapevine leaves. UV-C at 225 J/m² fully inhibited U. necator, while P. euvitis required ≥750 J/m². C. oryzae and C. vineferum were suppressed at 500 J/m², whereas Penicillium sp. and A. niger needed 1000 J/m². Grapevine leaves tolerated single 900 J/m² exposures without significant damage, but repeated 1500 J/m² doses reduced chlorophyll content and induced yellowing. These findings suggest UV-C effectively suppresses powdery mildew and rust and can integrate with vineyard management to lower fungicide use. A mobile UV-C system for nighttime treatment provides an efficient strategy to complement chemical control, reducing fungicide reliance while maintaining effective disease suppression and supporting sustainable viticulture.