Wine quality starts underground. Grapevines rooted in biologically active soils are better able to handle drought, disease pressure, and nutrient variability, and they tend to produce more consistent fruit year after year. Algaeo’s Vine Balance is designed to support that soil life using a combination of beneficial fungi and microalgae.
A Partnership Between Trichoderma and Microalgae
Trichoderma harzianum is one of the best-established biological control fungi in agriculture. In vineyards, Trichoderma-based products have been investigated for managing root and trunk diseases and for supporting vine growth and yield. These fungi colonize the root zone, compete with pathogens, and can stimulate plant defense responses and root development.
Chlorella vulgaris and related microalgae are increasingly studied as plant biostimulants. Foliar and soil applications of Chlorella-based fertilizers have been shown to improve drought tolerance, growth, and nutrient uptake in various crops by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant defenses, and root function.
Evidence from Grapevine and Microalgal Research
- Biological soil treatments with Trichoderma harzianum have reduced root rot incidence in young grapevines and improved plant growth in reclaimed soils.
- Other studies using Trichoderma strains in vineyards have reported effective control of downy mildew and grapevine trunk diseases, along with improvements in growth, yield, and fruit quality.
- Microalgal biostimulant work, including studies with Chlorella, has shown better performance under drought stress, improved biomass, and enhanced nutrient status in treated plants compared to controls.
While not every trial is specific to grapes, the combined body of work supports the use of Trichoderma and microalgae as tools for supporting perennial crops under both biotic and abiotic stress.
What Vineyards Can Expect
- Healthier root systems: improved root architecture and microbial colonization help vines access water and nutrients more effectively.
- Support against soil-borne diseases: Trichoderma can suppress common root and trunk pathogens through competition and mycoparasitism.
- Better stress resilience: microalgal biostimulants support vine performance under drought and heat by improving water-use efficiency and plant physiology.
Application in the Field
Vine Balance can be delivered through drip irrigation or as a soil drench at the beginning of the season, followed by periodic applications during key growth stages. Because both the fungus and the microalgae rely on living interaction with roots and soil, performance improves as the system is used consistently over time.
Regenerating Vineyard Soils
For growers interested in regenerative or low-input viticulture, rebuilding the biological foundation of the soil is essential. Algaeo Vine Balance provides a science-backed way to integrate microbial tools into existing programs, helping vines cope with stress while maintaining quality.
References
- El-Mohamedy RSR, et al. Biological soil treatment with Trichoderma harzianum to control root rot disease of grapevine in newly reclaimed lands. 2010.
- El-Sharkawy HHA, et al. Boosting biopesticide potential of Trichoderma harzianum for downy mildew control and growth improvement in grapevines. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control. 2023.
- Zanfaño L, et al. Biosolutions from native Trichoderma strains against grapevine trunk diseases. Agronomy. 2025.
- Kusvuran S, et al. Microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) alleviates drought stress in horticultural crops. 2021.
- Moon J, et al. Physiological effects and mechanisms of Chlorella vulgaris as a plant biostimulant. Horticultural Plant Journal. 2024.
- Vangenechten B, et al. How to improve the potential of microalgal biostimulants for abiotic stress mitigation in plants. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2025.