January, 2004

Kinkead Ridge Vineyard Spray Program

This is the fifth iteration of the Ohio version of a spray program developed over a period of eight years in Oregon. The program has been changed to respond to the generally higher disease pressure and multiplicity of disease types encountered in Southern Ohio. 

Every year is different in this business. Last summer was the second wettest on record. Vigor was nearly uncontrollable yet we were able to harvest relatively clean fruit and had virtually no foliar disease. I did add one more late season copper spray to the program for better control of fruit rot, but otherwise more or less kept to schedule.

Phomopsis pressure was extreme in 2003 and has risen to the top of my disease concerns. In response, I have tightened up early season spray dates slightly and will continue to monitor the problem. Black rot pressure was moderate and black rot was not a significant problem this year. Though pressure was high, downy and powdery mildew were non-existent in the canopy. I continue to be impressed by the performance of Elite versus black rot and powdery mildew.

Abound is still used once at veraison as a cleanup spray. Some data suggest that its use at this time reduces the population of rot causing fungi at harvest.


Now, a few comments are in order: First, realize that this program addresses the growing of vinifera, not hybrids, at my specific site. My site is planted at moderate to high density (7-1/2 ft. rows) and shows low to moderate disease pressure. If your site characteristics are similar and you achieve good spray coverage, then your results should be satisfactory. You may note that I reference an air blast sprayer in the program. While I realize that these are not cheap, I know of no inexpensive way to get the coverage necessary to keep a mature vinifera vineyard clean under adverse weather conditions in Southern Ohio. Finally, good cultural practices such as shoot positioning and leaf removal in the fruit zone greatly aid in disease control.

Insecticides are needed to control Grape Berry Moth (GBM)  and Japanese Beetle, as well as other pests. Scouting to identify target populations is useful in order to determine spray timing. I use Malathion 57EC tank mixed with the June 1st and June 18th fungicide spray.  I use Sevin XLR Plus on August 8^th for GBM and as required for Japanese beetles. Neither of these products are restricted use.

2004 Spray Program Schedule

Total fungicide program cost $153/ac.

Note: Magnesium Sulfate has apparently solved my deficiency caused fruit rot problem and improved overall vine health.

FORMULATIONS:

MIX 1: 6 lbs. Manzate 200 DF or Dithane DF, 8 lbs. Sulfur DF (micronized), 2 lbs. Solubor, 4 lbs. magnesium sulfate,  & 12 oz. Nufilm P per 100 gallons solution.

MIX 2: 8 oz. Elite 45DF, 6 lbs. Manzate 200 DF or Dithane DF, 4 lbs. Sulfur DF, 6 lbs. magnesium sulfate,  & 10 oz. Nufilm P per 100 gallons.

MIX 3. 8 oz. Elite 45DF, 6 lbs. Captan 50 WP, 8 lbs. magnesium sulfate  & 8 oz. Nufilm P per 100 gallons.

MIX 4: 28 oz. Abound & 8 lbs. magnesium sulfate per 100 gals.

MIX 5: 4 lbs. Kocide 2000 DF per 100 gallons.

NOTES:

NOTE 1: My rows are spaced 7-1/2 feet apart. Higher (or lower) density plantings may require adjustments to spray volumes (i.e. rates).

NOTE 2: Mixes 1 and 2 may burn shoot tips if temperatures soar into the 90s shortly after spraying. Mix 5 may burn leaf margins if heavy continuous rain occurs after spraying.

NOTE 3: The Solubor in Mix 1 raises the solution PH considerably, making Mix 1 incompatible with PH sensitive materials such as Captan, and Sevin.

NOTE 4: No Sulphur is sprayed after fruit-set and no Captan is applied within 45 days of harvest. This keeps fungicide residues from influencing fermentation.

NOTE 5: Potential micronutrient deficiencies of Magnesium, Boron (Solubor), Sulphur, Copper (Kocide), plus Zinc & Manganese (Manzate) are addressed by this program.

NOTE 6: Most insecticides are compatible with Mixes 2, 3, and 4. Check to be sure. Exception: Malathion 57EC is not compatible with Mix 3.

NOTE 7: Botrytis fruit rot has not been a serious problem to date in Southern Ohio. In the event of a problem, new fungicides such as Vangard WG or Elevate WDG should provide some control.

NOTE 8: Micronized DF Sulfur apparently varies in quality. Kumulus is allegedly better than Microthiol which is better than  Thiolux. All are vastly better than simple wetable sulfur.

Spot Spraying Guide
Fungicidal:

#1 Rubigan EC at 2cc/gallon plus Manzate 200 DF or Dithane DF at 2/3 oz. (18 g.)/gallon.

Herbicidal:

Total KILL.

#1: Roundup Weather Max at 1-1/2  oz./gallon.

#2: Roundup Weather Max at 1 oz./gallon plus MCPA or 2-4-D Amine at  3/4 oz./gallon.

I use this for most of my intra-row spot spraying.

Broadleaf only:

#1: MCPA or 2-4-D Amine at 1-1/2 oz./gallon plus surfactant at 2/3 oz./gallon.

Note: Vinifera is more tolerant of MCPA than it is of 2-4-D. The same is unfortunately also true for blackberries and poison oak, among others. MCPA does work well on thistles and field bindweed.

Suicidal:

#1: 95% Methanol at 12 oz./gal. In juice from rotted grapes. Drink until inebriated. (Just kidding!)

Ron Barrett
Kinkead Ridge Vineyard
4288 Kinkead Road
Ripley, OH 45167
937-392-1178
www.KinkeadRidge.com