GrapeBreed4IPM: A horizon Europe project for sustainable viticulture through multi-actor breeding and innovation

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are among the greatest challenges of our time, and agriculture’s use of pesticides is a major driver. Viticulture, as one of the sectors that utilizes these chemicals most intensively, faces significant pressures to reduce their use, especially in Europe where grape cultivation is economically and culturally important. The Horizon Europe project GrapeBreed4IPM leverages recent breakthroughs in grapevine breeding to address these challenges. The project focuses on developing and deploying varieties with enhanced resistance to key fungal diseases, thereby reducing the need for fungicide applications. By breeding new disease-resistant varieties (DRVs) adapted to diverse European environments, GrapeBreed4IPM offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional cultivars that rely heavily on chemical protection. Central to the project is a multi-actor co-design approach, actively involving leading research institutions, industry stakeholders, and the broader viticulture community across 7 countries. This collaborative framework ensures that outcomes are practical, user-centered, and directly aligned with winegrowers’ needs. In addition to varietal development, GrapeBreed4IPM emphasizes the integration of these innovations into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems: disseminating best practices and decision-support tools to optimize pest control while minimizing chemical inputs. By fostering an environment where the exploitation of new resilient varieties is paired with tailored vineyard management and wine marketing strategies, GrapeBreed4IPM aims to drive a transformative shift in European viticulture. The project envisions vineyard ecosystems with preserved biodiversity and improved resilience, aligning grape production with sustainability goals. This paper outlines the key scientific and technical components of GrapeBreed4IPM – including breeding strategies, genomic selection, IPM integration, stakeholder co-design, and regulatory/socio-economic considerations – and discusses how this comprehensive approach is paving the way for a more sustainable future in viticulture.