Tag: grape cultivation

• Grapes (Vitis vinifera) are a major fruit crop grown globally for fresh consumption, raisins, and wine.
• Optimal growth requires balanced nutrition, pest and disease management, and proper cultural practices.
• Understanding disorders and their management is crucial for high yield and quality.

• Common deficiencies: Nitrogen, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Boron, Iron.
• Symptoms include chlorosis, poor fruit set, stunted growth, and leaf necrosis.
• Soil and leaf analysis help diagnose nutrient disorders.

• Apply recommended fertilizers based on soil and tissue analysis.
• Use foliar sprays for micronutrient deficiencies (e.g., ZnSO4 for zinc, Fe-EDTA for iron).
• Incorporate organic manures and green manures to improve soil health.
• Maintain proper irrigation to aid nutrient uptake.

• Gibberellic acid (GA3) used to increase berry size and improve cluster looseness.
• Apply 25 ppm GA3 at calyptra fall and pepper stages for seedless varieties.
• Potassium chloride (0.2%) sprayed at 20 and 40 days after berry set for uniform ripening.

• Berry cracking: Caused by irregular watering or boron deficiency.
• Uneven ripening: Linked to potassium deficiency or hormonal imbalance.
• Poor fruit set: Often due to zinc or boron deficiency.

• Apply carbofuran 60 g/vine one week before pruning; irrigate well.
• Use neem cake 200 g/vine and Pseudomonas fluorescens for biocontrol.

Flea Beetles

• Spray phosalone 2 ml/l after pruning; repeat 2–3 times as needed.

Thrips

• Spray dimethoate 2 ml/l for control.

Mealy Bug

• Spray monocrotophos 2 ml/l; use sticky bands and natural predators for IPM.

• Caused by Uncinula necator.
• Symptoms: White powdery growth on leaves, shoots, and berries.
• Management: Sulphur dusting @ 6–12 kg/ha; use resistant varieties.

Downy Mildew

• Caused by Plasmopara viticola.
• Symptoms: Yellowish oil spots on leaves, white downy growth on lower surface.
• Management: Spray 1% Bordeaux mixture; ensure good air circulation.

• Harvest only after full ripening for best quality.
• Heat requirement: 2900–3600 degree days for most varieties.
• Average yields: Seedless – 15 t/ha/yr; Muscat – 30 t/ha/yr; Pachadraksha – 40 t/ha/yr; Anab-e-Shahi/Arka hybrids – 20 t/ha/yr.
• Room temperature storage: Up to 7 days; cold storage (-2 to -1.5°C): 40–45 days.

• Raisins are a major by-product in grape-growing regions.
• Grapes with 17° Brix and above are suitable; 20–23° Brix is standard for high-quality raisins.
• Proper drying and storage are essential to prevent spoilage.

• Grapes belong to the family Vitaceae; scientific name: Vitis vinifera.
• Originated near the Caspian Sea (Armenia region).
• Viticulture refers to grape cultivation.
• Over 10,000 grape varieties exist worldwide.
• Grapes contribute significantly to global fruit production.

• Prefer semi-arid, subtropical regions with warm, dry summers and cool winters.
• Require long, dry summers for proper fruit maturity and ripening.
• High humidity and summer rains increase fungal disease risk.
• Rest period (dormancy) occurs in winter in temperate regions.
• In tropical regions, vines may have two growth cycles per year.

• Best grown in well-drained, deep loamy soils (minimum 1 m depth).
• Optimal soil pH: 6.5–7.0.
• Soils should be fertile and rich in organic matter.
• Poor drainage or waterlogging adversely affects vine health.

• Primarily propagated by hardwood cuttings from one-year-old healthy canes.
• Cuttings: 25–30 cm long, lower cut below a bud, upper cut above a bud.
• Callusing in moist sand before nursery planting improves rooting.
• Grafting and budding used for specific rootstock requirements (e.g., disease resistance).

• Phylloxera resistance: Vitis riparia, V. rupestris
• Nematode resistance: Dogridge, Salt Creek
• Salinity tolerance: Solonis, 1616

• Trenches (0.6 m width/depth) or pits (1 m3) prepared for planting.
• Apply well-decomposed FYM, compost, or green manure before planting.
• Spacing: 3 × 2 m (Muscat), 4 × 3 m (other varieties).
• Plant rooted cuttings during June–July.

• Irrigate immediately after planting, then weekly.
• Withhold irrigation 15 days before pruning and harvest.
• Drip irrigation is preferred for efficient water use.

• Apply FYM and green manure before planting and after pruning.
• Fertilizer doses vary by variety and vine age (see table below).
• Apply half the potassium dose after pruning, remainder after 60 days.
• Foliar spray: 0.1% boric acid + 0.2% ZnSO4 + 1% urea before flowering and 10 days later.

Example Fertilizer Schedule (kg/vine/year):

• Tipping shoots and tying clusters after fruit set.
• Remove tendrils and nip axillary/terminal buds at 12–15 buds.
• Thin compact bunches by removing ~20% berries at pea stage.
• Dip clusters in 0.5 ppm brassinosteroid + 25 ppm GA3 solution 10–12 days after fruit set.

• Grapes require specific soil, climate, and management for optimal yield and quality.
• Proper propagation, nutrient, and water management are essential.
• Special cultural practices improve fruit quality and market value.