June 2009
Monthly Archive
Friday 19 Jun 2009
Research Focus: UV Light and Powdery Mildew
Plexiglas roofs shield vines from UV light
Driving west from the NYS Agricultural Experiment Station, you will see these plexiglas roofs constructed over the top of Chardonnay vines. Their purpose is to prevent ultraviolet radiation from reaching the leaves and clusters. Dr. Wayne Wilcox, plant pathologist, and his graduate student Craig Austin are using this setup to study the impact of UV light on the powdery mildew fungus. Over the past 2 growing seasons they have found more powdery mildew under the plexiglas roofs than on uncovered vines exposed to UV light. Their conclusion? UV light kills some of the powdery mildew fungi, greatly reducing powdery mildew development – and underscoring the importance of canopy management to increase sunlight exposure as part of an integrated management program for powdery mildew. Indeed, in rows without plexiglass protection, cluster disease on VSP-trained vines was reduced by 35% in 2008 when one leaf was pulled above and below each cluster 2 weeks post-bloom compared with Umbrella Kniffen-trained vines where no leaf pulling was practiced.
Tuesday 16 Jun 2009
Research Focus: Grape Breeders Bag Clusters
At NYS Agricultural Experiment Station vineyards in Geneva, NY, bagged grape flower clusters are a familiar sight in mid June. Grape Breeder Bruce Reisch’s program emasculates and cross-pollinates grape flowers to produce hybrid seeds for further planting and testing by the program. Up to 5,000 seedlings are produced from about 40 crosses each year, and less than 5% meet the necessary criteria for further testing by the program. Data on vine performance is collected for at least 5 growing seasons, and test wines are made and evaluated at the same time. After 15 to 30 years, the most promising seedlings may be named and released as new grape varieties. Pollen from Vitis cinerea will soon be applied to this cluster of ‘Horizon’ as part of an ongoing genetic study on the inheritance of powdery mildew resistance, an important objective in the wine grape breeding program.
Tuesday 16 Jun 2009
Greg Loeb Insect and Mite Pest Management Article 2009
Dr. Greg Loeb, Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University writes an annual vineyard insect and mite pest management article. Here it is (pdf):