University of Pisa researcher wins award for grapevine disease detection

Lorenzo Pippi, a doctoral student at the University of Pisa, has received a CABI award at the 31st Congress of the Italian Society of Plant Pathology (SIPaV) for research on the early detection of grapevine downy mildew.

The study, conducted in collaboration with Cornell University, utilizes HyperBird, an automated hyperspectral imaging platform. By analyzing light reflected from leaf tissues—including wavelengths invisible to the human eye—the technology can identify infection-related alterations before physical symptoms appear.

Beyond early detection, the research evaluated the effectiveness of different defense programs, comparing conventional fungicides with biological alternatives. This work, published in the journal Plant Disease, offers new prospects for more sustainable vineyard management and disease monitoring.