Spain is at the forefront of European countries in terms of cultivated grapevine area, boasting 913,000 hectares in 2023 (FAOSTAT, 2025), which is equivalent to 29.5% of Europe’s total. Spain is followed by France with 753,340 ha, Italy with 713,350 ha, and Portugal with 175,810 ha.
Nationally, this area is distributed into the province of Castilla-La Mancha with 434,537 hectares (47.6%), Castilla y León (9.3%), Extremadura (8.2%) and Catalonia (6.1%).
In the world of viticulture, the search for sustainable and effective methods to improve grape production is ongoing. Recently, an innovative approach has begun to attract attention: the use of beneficial bacteria. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of beneficial microorganisms that colonise the root zone of plants and promote plant growth through various mechanisms, such as biological nitrogen fixation, phosphorus and potassium solubilisation, phytohormone production, improved water and mineral uptake, and helping plants overcome stress. In grapevine cultivation, PGPR can play an important role in improving grape production and quality. For example, applying PGPR to vineyards has been shown to increase crop yield, improve grape quality, and reduce the need for pesticides.
VIBACTER® is a biological product that contains plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) specifically selected for use in agricultural crops.
VIBACTER® is a natural biological product, registered under UNE standard 142500 (Fertiliser usable in organic plant production), that is non-toxic and its use does not pose any risk to health or the environment.
In trials carried out on the crop of the “Viognier” grapevine variety, where VIBACTER® was applied at 5 l/ha in 4 applications, we achieved a significant increase in production (T-student p<0.05) of 21.04%, compared to plots where microorganisms were not applied.
T-student (*p<0.05). The presence of asterisks indicates significant differences. *% increase compared to the control.
This increase in production was due to an increase in the number of grape bunches per plant, in addition to an increase in the unit weight of the fruit.
The plots where VIBACTER® was applied showed a 13.59% increase in the number of grape bunches per plant compared to the untreated control, in addition to a 12.06% increase in the unit weight of the fruit.
T-student (*p<0.05). The presence of asterisks indicates significant differences. *% increase compared to the control.
T-student (*p<0.05). The presence of asterisks indicates significant differences. *% increase compared to the control.
CONCLUSIONS
- 21.04% increase in total production.
- 12.6% increase in unit weight.
- 13.6% increase in the number of grape bunches.
REFERENCES
- Chen, X., Yang, F., Bai, C., Shi, Q., Hu, S., Tang, X., … & Ding, H. (2022). Bacillus velezensis strain GUMT319 reshapes soil microbiome biodiversity and increases grape yields. Biology, 11(10), 1486.
- Duan, B., Li, L., Chen, G., Su-Zhou, C., Li, Y., Merkeryan, H., … & Liu, X. (2021). 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase-producing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria improve drought stress tolerance in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 706990.
- Küpe, M., Hacımüftüoğlu, F., & Yağanoğlu, E. (2023). Effects of PGPR bacteria applications on soil properties, plant growth and yield values in Karaerik and Narince grape varieties. Journal of Agricultural Production, 4(2), 128-137.
To find out more about what biotechnology is, its types and applications, the AgroTech and BioTech projects that we carry out at Fertiberia, and the biotechnological products that we develop, visit our specific section with related information.
