DELIVERABLE 2.1 "Report on Toxicity of SafeWax"

The report summarizes the results of preliminary open-field and controlled-environment trials assessing the potential phytotoxicity of SafeWax, a bioinspired fatty acid-based coating developed as a sustainable alternative to conventional fungicides. Tests were conducted on Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese during the 2024 growing season to evaluate potential plant damage, physiological effects, and application parameters. The study demonstrated that SafeWax caused only mild and transient phytotoxic effects, primarily linked to formulation stability and spray application settings. Plant growth, photosynthetic activity, and yield parameters remained comparable to untreated controls. The report provides recommendations to optimize SafeWax formulation integrity and application methods for subsequent field trials.