Propagative material of grapevine: RFID technology for supporting traceability of "basic" and "certified" material along the wine production chain

Abstract

Four main categories of propagative material in the European Union (EU) have been indentified for grapevine: the primary source, pre-basic, basic and certified material. Each type of material has to be periodically assayed for pathogens and each material stage is intrinsically characterized by increasing risks. Radiofrequency (RFID) can be considered an efficient and durable traceability system to provide retrieval of propagated material or check producer identity. RFID tagging of grapevines of different categories along the production line could establish a durable link between stakeholder and products. To evaluate this approach, histological observations and growth parameters of basic or certified RFID- tagged grapevine were performed, as well as requirement analysis for management of sanitary checks and for traceability of the wine production chain. Basic material can be safety tagged with RFID tags to establish mother plant vineyards; derived certified material can also safely be tagged. No detrimental performance in terms of vegetative growth and bud production were reported for mother plant vineyards from the first year of production life. Requirement analysis made it possible to individuate traceability objectives, materials and stakeholders involved, as well as the RFID-tagging steps and methods to collect sanitary and production data that are useful for traceability purposes.