Articles
Biorational pesticide efficacy in northern New England vineyards
Article number
1387_37
Pages
269 – 276
Language
English
Abstract
In the wake of growing environmental concern many viticulturists are searching for low impact pest management techniques.
The growing interest in sustainability has inspired research surrounding the efficacy of biorational pesticides, yet recent research on biopesticides has been conducted in a laboratory setting or on traditional Vitis vinifera cultivars.
Winegrapes suitable for production in cold and humid northern New England include hybrid cultivars with good cold hardiness and disease resistance conferred by inclusion of species native to the region in their breeding.
Growing interest in non-synthetic fungicides suitable for use in organic production demands rigorous assessment under the climatic conditions and cultivars used in this region.
The relatively lower performance of biofungicides in managing disease compared to synthetic fungicides may be offset in New England vineyards by lower disease susceptibility of the popular cultivars grown in the region.
This combination of conditions lends itself to development of a low-input viticulture system that may reduce synthetic fungicide use.
In this trial the efficacy of three bio-rational fungicides applied in rotation with sulfur and copper was evaluated in a commercial vineyard in Shelburne, VT, USA with the cultivars Marquette and La Crescent. Vines were evaluated for disease monthly during the growing season.
The resulting fruit was collected and assessed for disease and fruit quality.
In this preliminary trial, biofungicides exhibited variable efficacy in managing commercially important diseases.
A combination of mineral and biofungicide and mineral-based pesticides, cultivar resistance to disease, and vineyard sanitation may be developed to produce commercially-acceptable fruit without the use of synthetic fungicides.
The growing interest in sustainability has inspired research surrounding the efficacy of biorational pesticides, yet recent research on biopesticides has been conducted in a laboratory setting or on traditional Vitis vinifera cultivars.
Winegrapes suitable for production in cold and humid northern New England include hybrid cultivars with good cold hardiness and disease resistance conferred by inclusion of species native to the region in their breeding.
Growing interest in non-synthetic fungicides suitable for use in organic production demands rigorous assessment under the climatic conditions and cultivars used in this region.
The relatively lower performance of biofungicides in managing disease compared to synthetic fungicides may be offset in New England vineyards by lower disease susceptibility of the popular cultivars grown in the region.
This combination of conditions lends itself to development of a low-input viticulture system that may reduce synthetic fungicide use.
In this trial the efficacy of three bio-rational fungicides applied in rotation with sulfur and copper was evaluated in a commercial vineyard in Shelburne, VT, USA with the cultivars Marquette and La Crescent. Vines were evaluated for disease monthly during the growing season.
The resulting fruit was collected and assessed for disease and fruit quality.
In this preliminary trial, biofungicides exhibited variable efficacy in managing commercially important diseases.
A combination of mineral and biofungicide and mineral-based pesticides, cultivar resistance to disease, and vineyard sanitation may be developed to produce commercially-acceptable fruit without the use of synthetic fungicides.
Publication
Authors
B. Pelletier, T.L. Bradshaw
Keywords
organic, disease management, hybrid grapes, integrated pest management
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