An innovative and sustainable process to stimulate the natural defenses of plants

Researchers from the University of Avignon (France) have discovered that exposure to UV-C (Ultraviolet C) stimulates the defenses of plants against fungal diseases. Today the UV Boosting company is launching the marketing for this solution over most of the French vineyard, and at the same time begins marketing for strawberry crops. With the ambition to considerably reduce the dependence of producers on fungicides.

 

Since 2012, teacher-researchers from the University of Avignon, Laurent Urban and Jawad Aarrouf, have been working on this project. They filed a 1st patent in 2015 following the results of their research on the biological effects of UV-C and their flashes. Their work has shown that UV-C flashes (less than 2 seconds) are more effective than conventional exposures at equal dose and wavelength, in stimulating plant defenses against fungal diseases. They observed strong reductions in symptoms of gray rot in lettuce and tomato, late blight in peppers and vines, etc.

 

They then joined forces with Yves Matton, co-founder of Technofounders, and together created UV Boosting in 2017. UV Boosting develops tools based on UV-C flashes.

 

Controlled exposure to a UV flash generates a signal to stimulate the plant. The plant then produces defense compounds against pathogens. The plant becomes more resistant against its aggressors, especially downy mildew and powdery mildew.

 

UV Boosting aims to considerably reduce the dependence of producers on fungicides. UV Boosting has launched the marketing of its solution over most of the French vineyard, and at the same time begins marketing for strawberry crops.

 

Ultraviolet rays lie between x-rays and visible light. UV-C (Ultraviolet-C) is invisible to the naked eye. UV-C is used for its disinfectant properties of air and water, by rendering certain viruses and microorganisms inactive.