February, 2009 - Kinkead Ridge Vineyard Spray Program

This is the tenth 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. 

After a cool and wet bloom period, the rest of the summer and early fall turned relatively warm and dry. Except for some August downy mildew pressure and late October botrytis, disease pressure was low to moderate. Phomopsis continues to be a chronic concern which is ameliorated somewhat by our use of cane pruning. Scala seemed to reduce both sour rot and botrytis. We harvested the cleanest Riesling ever in 2008.

Elite, Pristine and Dithane (Manzate) continue to be the mainstays of this program. Other than for two fungicides targeted at downy mildew, there is little new being registered for crop protection in grapes. With the change of the political winds in Washington, there is renewed concern that we may lose one or more key ingredients such as Captan which would increase costs and cripple this program. Be prepared for significant increases in pesticide costs for 2009.

Resistance management has become a major concern as Pristine has now lost its effectiveness on downy mildew in many Eastern vineyards. This program alternates fungicide chemistries as much as possible in order to minimize the development of resistance. Strobilurons such as Abound, Sovran, Flint & Pristine (partly) are losing effectiveness nearly everywhere. Even Elite and other sterol inhibitors are showing signs of fatigue. Use these "silver bullets" with care.

Now, a few comments are in order: First, realize that this program addresses the growing of vinifera, not hybrids, which are generally more disease resistant. 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 5EC tank mixed with the May 31st and June 16th fungicide sprays.  I use Sevin XLR Plus on August 8^th for GBM and as required for Japanese beetles. Neither of these products are restricted use.  

2009 Spray Program Schedule (19 weeks)

Total program cost $222/ac.

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

FORMULATIONS:

MIX 1: 6 lbs. Manzate 75 DF or Dithane, 8 lbs. Sulfur DF (micronized), 2 lbs. Solubor DF, 4 lbs. magnesium sulfate,  & 12 oz. Nufilm P per 100 gallons solution.

MIX 2: 8 oz. Elite 45DF, 6 lbs. Manzate 75 DF or Dithane, 4 lbs. Sulfur DF, 6 lbs. magnesium sulfate,  & 10 oz. Nufilm P per 100 gallons.

MIX 3: 22 oz. Pristine & 8 lbs. magnesium sulfate per 100 gals.

MIX 4. 8 oz. Elite 45DF, 4 lbs. Captan 80 WDG*, 8 lbs. magnesium sulfate  & 8 oz. Nufilm P per 100 gallons.

MIX 5: 36 oz. Scala SC per 100 gals.

MIX 6: 3 lbs. Kocide 3000  per 100 gallons.

*Optionally 6 lbs. Captan 50 WP can be used here.

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 6 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-sizing and no Captan is applied within 35 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. Don't add Magnesium Sulfate unless you have a deficiency.

NOTE 6: Most insecticides are compatible with Mixes 2, 3, and 4. Check to be sure. Exception: Malathion 5EC is not compatible with Mix 4.

NOTE 7: Micronized DF Sulfur apparently varies in quality. Kumulus is allegedly better than Microthiol which is better than  Thiolux. All are vastly better than simple wettable sulfur.

Spot Spraying Guide
Fungicidal:  
#1 Rubigan EC at 2cc/gallon plus Manzate 75 DF or Dithane 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. Do not under any circumstances use an ester formulation of 2-4-D anywhere near your vineyard.

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