The VINO Project at RRSW 2025: Advanced Vineyard Monitoring with Radar and Optical Data

On 28 May 2025, Professor Fabio Dell’Acqua (University of Pavia) presented the initial results achieved by his Research Module within VINO flagship project at the Radar and Remote Sensing Workshop (RRSW) organised by GTTI.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the Microwave Remote Sensing Lab (MRSLab) at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and the Telecommunication and Remote Sensing Lab at UniPV, proposes an innovative approach to vineyard monitoring by combining optical vegetation indexes with multi-polarisation radar indexes. The case study focused on vineyards in the Valle Versa area, contributing to the development of more sustainable, data-driven agricultural practices.

The project is now expanding to Armenia, where full-polarimetric radar data are being acquired through the support of the Italian Space Agency (project AO "ID 910 actirs4env-nodes") on vineyards at Trinity Canyon Vineyards, equipped with in-situ sensors. In collaboration with the CENS NAS RA, researchers are analysing the relationship between radar responses and the seasonal evolution of the vine, also thanks to the presence of co-author Andrea Bergamaschi (UniPV), currently on Erasmus+ mobility.

Future developments include the modelling of radar backscatter from vine rows, in collaboration with Professor Ferdinando Nunziata from Sapienza University of Rome. The project thus strengthens the international and multidisciplinary network of Spoke 6, contributing to digital innovation for a more sustainable agri-food industry.

This experience confirms the strategic value of international research cooperation promoted by Spoke 6, fostering synergies between universities, centres of excellence, and businesses worldwide to advance digital and sustainable solutions in agroindustry.