Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/347498
p r a c t i c a l w i n e r y & v i n e ya r d a U G U S t 2 0 1 4 73 g r a p e g r o w i n g Cover crops are mowed two to four times per year. Every other tractor row may be tilled, and the cover-cropped tractor row is rotated every other year in order to minimize compaction. The increase in virus pressure and spread has resulted in new practices to limit risks in newly developed vineyards. This begins before the nursery stock is purchased. Constellation Wines has devel- oped good working relationships with its nursery providers to achieve a common goal of planting only clean material. Constellation Wines only uses nursery stock from certified virus-free nursery blocks. Scion mother plants are inspected during the growing season for virus symptoms. In addition, random samples are taken for virus screening before bud- wood is harvested. New plantings along with surrounding blocks are treated with Movento to sup- press mealybug populations. This is done to reduce the risk of virus spread. Should leafhoppers be found to spread red blotch virus, the treatment would also suppress leafhopper numbers and hopefully limit virus infection and spread. Movento applications will be made annually until the vineyard is established. Constellation Wines' goal is for vine- yards to remain productive for 20 to 25 years. "When AXR-1 rootstock was planted, that goal was 30+ years, but newer rootstocks do not suppress viruses like AXR-1 did," Gore says. Constellation Wines' commitment to sustainable practices has led to the 21-day fungicide applications with multi-row sprayers. This saves labor and fuel while providing excellent mildew control. Sunbreak Vineyard Services "Pest control advisor Laura Breyer and I developed a strategy to reduce mite infes- tations in a 35-acre old-vine (120 years) Zinfandel block in Sonoma Valley," explains Sunbreak Vineyard Services vineyard manager Diane Kenworthy. "When I took over the Bedrock Vineyard in 2007, miticide treatments were needed annually. I wanted to reduce or eliminate miticide applications. "Our strategy was to first reduce road dust by treating with a lignin dust sup- pressant in June each year. We stopped disking the cross avenues used at harvest and planted a fescue cover crop. We stopped applying sulfur and switched to mineral oil in the spray program. "We have retained more native cover in the vineyard borders and created insectary areas on the property so that there would be flowers present throughout the growing season. The goal of this added diversity was to increase mite and insect predators. In the first year after implementing these practices, we only had to spot-treat five acres for mites. Since then no miticide applications have been necessary. "I am a strong believer in integrated pest management (IPM), and I share my experience with grower peers at IPM meetings. IPM is complex and requires me to manage many variables at once in order to achieve a successful balance. We have 36 song bird boxes plus 6 barn owl boxes on our 200-acre ranch. These are all small changes, but I feel they help IPM. "IPM increases the complexity of deci- sion-making and forces me to apply softer materials in order to maintain diversity on the property. I have few pest problems beyond powdery mildew. No grape leafhopper or mealybug problems. I trap blue-green sharpshooters since we have three creeks running through the property, but have not had to treat. "Pierce's disease is present, but not at high levels. I rely on my pest control advisor to regularly monitor the vine- yard for pests. I also train my vineyard crew to identify pests since they see every For Powdery Mildew and Mite control, grape growers have a choice: JMS Stylet-Oil JMS oers grape growers an eective alternative to early-season sulfur treatment. • Outperforms sulfur as an eradicant on powdery mildew - University researched and rated 10/10. • JMS Stylet-Oil is a stand-alone product for powdery mildew. • Eliminates early season inoculum growth that can cause late-season epidemics. • Unlike sulfur, JMS Stylet-Oil works well in cool weather, protects around the clock, and harmlessly degrades without potential air pollution. Apply this clean white oil early for mite control throughout the season. JMS Stylet-Oil is now available in its conven- tional formulation or an organic formula- tion that is OMRI listed for use in an organic program. Contact JMS for complete information and product data. • Powdery Mildew? • Mites? Headquarters 4423 5th Place SW Vero Beach, FL 32968 Office: (772) 562-8770 Fax: (772) 562-7202 styletoil@aol.com www.stylet-oil.com Pacific Northwest Region 73585 Williams Lane Pendleton, OR 97801 Office: (541) 276-8566 Fax: (541) 276-6245 styletoil@eoni.com JMS Stylet-Oil ® - e Choice C M Y CM MY CY CMY K JMS4.75X92011 copy.pdf 1 10/20/11 2:07 PM