From research to practice: monitoring oxathiapiprolin and zoxamide sensitivity in Plasmopara viticola populations in Friuli Venezia Giulia (2021–2024).

From 2021 to 2024, a monitoring programme was conductedin Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy) to assess the sensitivity of Plasmopara viticola populations towards two key fungicides used against grapevine downy mildew: oxathiapiprolin and zoxamide. P. viticola samples were regularly collected from commercial vineyards and subjected to in vivo sensitivity tests. Over the four-year period, the majority of the populations maintained high sensitivity to both active substances. However, shifts in sensitivity thresholds were observed, particularly under high pathogen pressure or suboptimal application strategies. The results were integrated with vineyard management data and climatic conditions, allowing us to identify key risk factors and to develop tailored recommendations for local growers. Practical guidelines were disseminated through technical bulletinsfrom ERSA, which served as an effective tool to directly reach growers and technicians, and promote best practices for fungicide application. This long-term monitoring activity highlights the importance of systematic fungicide sensitivity assessments to preserve the effectiveness of key active ingredients. Our results demonstrate how applied research can be translated into practical recommendations, improving decision-making in vineyard protection and contributing to integrated plant health management.