Atonik Shows Potential Against Grapevine Fungal Pathogens
A study suggests that sodium nitrophenolate treatments may significantly limit the progression of common grapevine trunk diseases.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Botany
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Researchers have identified that the sodium nitrophenolate-based product Atonik can inhibit the mycelial growth of various fungal pathogens in grapevines. The treatment was shown to reduce lesion lengths caused by Eutypa lata in experimental trials.
Why it matters
Fungal trunk diseases currently serve as a major constraint on global grapevine production, as there is a notable lack of effective curative control methods available to farmers. This discovery offers a potential new approach to managing these persistent agricultural threats.
The study tested 10 fungal pathogens in vitro using absolute qPCR and RNA-seq analysis, which revealed 168 genes associated with infection and 43 genes linked to the Atonik treatment.
The players
Atonik
Atonik is a commercial biostimulant product based on sodium nitrophenolate.
The details
The treatment demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition of mycelial growth, with the most significant effects observed against Cadophora luteo-olivacea, Eutypa lata, and Phaeoacremonium minimum. Analysis of the treated plants also showed a higher abundance of VvSOD transcripts, indicating an activated plant defense response.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: The study was published on bioRxiv.
The Big Picture
This study advances the ongoing research into grapevine trunk diseases by providing a new chemical method to mitigate pathogen damage. It challenges the existing scarcity of curative control options by demonstrating that targeted chemical treatments can induce defensive genetic responses in vines.
If these results are validated in field conditions, the treatment could lead to more effective protection for commercial vineyards against destructive pathogens. This may eventually improve global grape supply stability and lower production costs for vintners dealing with fungal infections.
The takeaway
Maintaining vine health remains a critical hurdle for agricultural efficiency in the global wine industry. Producers may eventually adopt similar biostimulant protocols to strengthen plant defenses against common fungal trunk infections.
Further reading
For more information on plant pathology, visit our Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Biorxiv.
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