Using Micro-Doses of Sugars in Plant Protection

The USAGE project (2012–2014, funded by ONEMA) evaluated whether foliar sprays of micro-doses of sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, raffinose) could enhance plant defense (“sweet immunity”) and control bioagressors while reducing conventional pesticide inputs. A total of 43 coordinated trials—6 in orchards, 12 in vineyards, and 25 in vegetable crops—were conducted under both controlled and field conditions in France. Despite experimental variability, sucrose and fructose applications reduced codling moth damage by up to 55% in organic apple orchards and decreased copper-based treatments against downy mildew in organic vineyards. These results contributed to the approval of sucrose as a basic substance under EU Regulation 916/2014.