Agroecological performances of low pesticide used grapevine systems adapted to six diverse regional contexts in France

Viticulture extensively employs pesticides to ensure its yield and quality targets. Vineyards are often characterised by low biodiversity and limited use of agroecological practices. The long-term sustainability of viticulture is dependent on the reduction of pesticide use. Designing and assessing innovative agroecological vineyards is a relevant approach to achieve this objective of french policies. The objectives of the study are: i) to develop a participatory method of cropping system prototyping to meet the agroecological challenges and particularly the reduction in pesticide use, ii) implement this method on grapevine systems at the national scale and iii) assess the agronomical and economical performances of the prototypes. This study presents an innovative methodology based on the prototyping of grapevine systems (GCS) with a participatory approach for knowledge-sharing. This approach was adapted to suit perennial crops and implemented through the EcoViti network of experimental sites located in six contrasted vineyards in France. The Efficiency-Substitution-Redesign (ESR) framework was used to categorise the 45 vineyard prototypes. Then, a multi-criteria assessment method encompassing agronomic, environmental, and socio-economic aspects was conducted to get a comprehensive analysis of the prototypes. From 2013 to 2018, data were collected to assess the 45 vineyard prototypes. To represent french vineyards, 93% of the vineyard prototypes were implemented on already planted vineyards, incorporating decision support tools, prophylactic practices, and biocontrol levers. And 7% of the vineyard prototypes were based on newly planted vineyards with innovative varieties (resistant to mildews). 45 grapevine systems across 27 experimental sites were prototyped with combined agroecological practices. The multi-criteria performance assessment revealed that all agronomic, environmental and socio-economic goals of the ESR rating scale could be attained, ensuring sustainability. Forty-one of the 45 prototypes exhibited a pesticide reduction exceeding 50% on average between 2013 and 2018. Moreover, 40 prototypes successfully met yield and harvest quality objectives, while 92% of the prototypes achieved the targeted workload goals. This study produced relevant and regionally tailored grapevine systems fitted to reduce significantly pesticide use. Our findings underscore the significance of knowledge-sharing in facilitating the overall redesign process. The vineyard prototypes presented herein are not prescriptive solutions but rather indicative of the avenues through which winegrowers can customise and devise their unique pathways of agroecological transition for their vineyard. • Prototyping method adapted to grapevine in six regional context in France. • Redesign of 45 grapevine systems with low pesticide inputs. • 22% of prototypes achieved both environmental and socio-economic sustainability. • Relevant and regionally tailored grapevine systems fitted to reduce pesticide use. • Pathways of agroecological transition for winegrowers and their vineyard.