Radiofrequency applications in grapevine: From vineyard to web

An experimental trial was commenced in January 2007 of a traceability system for grapevine plants produced in a nursery and for electronic management of vineyards. The main objective was producing grafted cuttings using common nursery procedures, but in which were internally installed Radio Frequency Identification chips. The trial used five common Tuscan grapevine clones. The modified plants were indistinguishable from unmarked plants, and will maintain this electronic feature throughout their life. The marked plants can be easily monitored, and will be able to supply various information, including identity, growth parameters, susceptibility to biotic stress factors, and productivity. All information is available by a website accessing a database, guaranteeing that users (e.g. nursery workers, grapevine growers, and plant pathologists) can use online access to retrieve information on every marked plant. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.