Every winegrower knows powdery mildew is an expensive problem which needs careful and effective control.
Thorvald provides that control, protecting your valuable vines through the application of UV-C light, each and every night, so you and your team don’t have to. Efficient, autonomous, sustainable and cost-effective, Thorvald is a reliable partner for every viticulturist trying to marry the best of traditional practices with the best of what technology can provide.
Light treatment
Thorvald is a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution with no direct CO2 emissions during operation.
Controls powdery mildew
Light treatment controls powdery mildew without chemical inputs by exposing grapevines to shortwave light on a weekly basis. Research and real-life usage show this to be highly effective at controlling powdery mildew.
Autonomous application
The treatment is applied at night (allowing it to perform optimally), by Thorvald, our autonomous robot, saving labour over conventional fungicide application.
Environmental benefits
The light treatment also generates significant added value through direct cost savings and the environmental benefits of reduced fungicide use.
The Thorvald light treatment
Thorvald is conducting light treatment on Pantano vineyard in Italy. Exposing vines to shortwave light on a weekly basis is highly effective in controlling powdery mildew. The treatment must be applied at night in order for it to perform optimally, but as treatment is delivered autonomously by a driverless robot unit, it saves labour over conventional fungicide application. The light treatment also generates significant added value through direct cost savings and the environmental benefits of reduced fungicide use.