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Vineyards in the Czech–Austrian border region are facing increasing weather variability year after year, along with drought, diseases, and new pests. Winemakers often react only when problems become visible on leaves, growth, or grape quality. The newly launched WinOMICs project (CZ), led by researchers from Brno University of Technology (BUT), aims to change this situation through a combination of modern technologies and biochemical methods. The goal is to create a system capable of detecting plant stress even before it is visible to the naked eye.
WinOMICs connects scientists in a multidisciplinary project with the aim of monitoring the condition of vineyards in real time. | Author: Project archivesThe project of the research team from the Machine Perception Group at the Department of Control and Instrumentation (UAMT), Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication BUT is based on integrating hyperspectral data collected by drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), information from ground-based sensors, and detailed laboratory analyses of proteomes and metabolomes. Drones will regularly monitor vineyards and capture images that record subtle changes in vegetation that neither conventional cameras nor the human eye can detect. Ground sensors, meanwhile, continuously track moisture, temperature, soil condition, and plant physiology. Laboratory experts will complement these data with biochemical information from proteomic and metabolomic analyses. Together, they will create a comprehensive picture of how plants respond to drought, diseases, pests, or extreme temperatures.
A major strength of the project lies in its data processing approach. Different types of measurements will be integrated and evaluated using machine learning methods. Researchers expect this to identify patterns and biomarkers that signal impending plant stress or disease before any external symptoms appear. This enables winemakers to intervene earlier and at lower cost, leading to more efficient vineyard management, more stable yields, and improved grape quality.
The project brings together academic and wine-growing institutions from both sides of the border. The lead partner is BUT, with experts from Universität Wien (VIME) and Wein & Obst Klosterneuburg also involved. Together, they aim to design procedures tailored to specific grape varieties and the conditions of individual vineyards, from slope orientation to local climatic factors.
The project has significance for the region and beyond. The Czech–Austrian border area is among the regions experiencing more intense changes in weather conditions, and small and medium-sized winemakers often lack the resources for extensive technological investments to mitigate these changes. WinOMICs offers them an accessible, data-driven solution that can become a crucial tool in addressing extreme weather impacts and emerging diseases. The resulting system could also serve as a model for other European wine-growing regions facing similar challenges.
A key pillar of the project is the long-term development of close cooperation among leading scientific teams, established technology companies, and winemakers themselves, as well as wine-related institutions and schools. Training and informational materials will be developed to support the effective adoption of new technologies in practice. Beyond technological innovation, WinOMICs therefore strengthens cross-border cooperation and contributes to the objectives of the Interreg AT-CZ programme under the Research and Innovation priority.