Episode Details

Will hybrid grapes help vineyards survive climate change? Professor Karine Pedneault of the Université du Québec en Outaouais explores this question through trials that expose grapevines to drought and heat stress. Testing both vinifera and hybrid varieties, her research measured plant water flow and metabolic responses to determine resilience. While hybrids still carry a stigma around flavor, they showed promising resistance, raising the potential to reduce fungicide use by up to half and adapt more sustainably to extreme weather scenarios.  

Resources:  

• 223: New Decision Support System for Irrigation Efficiency
• 213: High Resolution Data from Space Helps Farmers Plan for Climate Change
• Karine Pedneault 
• Karine Pedneault – Google Scholar
• Karine Pedneault - Instagram