Variation in pesticide hazard in integrated viticulture in Trentino from 2002 to 2012

Abstract: In the winegrape production system of Trentino IPM guidelines have been applied since 1990. In order to assess the effective reduction of the environmental hazard due to plant protection strategies, a pesticide risk indicator (newEIQ) has been applied to estimate changes in pesticide risk from 2002 to 2012. The mean newEIQ field rating value ranged from 2602.9 in 2002 to 1699.8 in 2010, with a significant decreasing trend (R2 = 0.60). The decrease in pesticide hazard over the time considered is more related to the use of selective active ingredients rather than to the reduction in the amount of pesticides.