Development of Integrated Wine Grape Production 1
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PROJECT PROPOSAL August 1, 2001 – February 28, 2002 TITLE: Viticulture and Enology programs for the Colorado Wine Industry PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Horst Caspari Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Colorado State University Orchard Mesa Research Center COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS Colorado Department of Agriculture The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board Colorado State University JUSTIFICATION The Colorado wine industry continues to grow at a rapid rate. Over the last two years the number of Colorado wineries has increased from 25 to 33. At the same time, the total vineyard area has grown by about 120 acres which represents an increase of nearly 33 %. However, despite this increase in area the total grape production and production efficiency remain rather low. While the total Colorado grape production of about 750 t in the year 2000 was the second largest production in recent years the average yield per acre remains at a fairly low level of 2.8 t. Several factors contribute to this low production per acre. First, Colorado has a relatively high percentage of young grape plantings that are just starting to produce a crop. Second, cold temperature injuries (winter damage and spring frosts) continue to reduce yields on some vineyards to often very low levels; and third many growers are new to the grape industry and are struggling with some of the basic growing practices. Although current production is less than the industry goal the Colorado grape and wine industry is fortunate in that the main growing regions are relatively free of many of the pests and diseases that bedevil other grape growing regions of the world. This lack of many pests and diseases provides Colorado with a competitive advantage over other areas in the world in the development of “integrated”, “sustainable” or “organic” production systems. The research and extension program outlined below is seen as the start of a 5- year plan to develop an “Integrated Production System” for wine grapes in Colorado. Most of the early development and research will be conducted in the research vineyard of the Western Colorado Research Center at Orchard Mesa. When we are confident that these new techniques are beneficial and/or not detrimental we plan to set up larger-scale trials on grower properties. The key feature of an “Integrated Production System” is the combination of cultural, biological, and chemical techniques with the aim of reducing the reliance on agrichemicals to control pests, diseases, and weeds. In addition, there is a holistic view of the vineyard environment that requires a sustainable use of vineyard resources, including soil, water, and air. Various versions of such Integrated Production Systems are already in use or under development in a number of countries around the world. In the US, the North Coast of California and Oregon have developed their own guidelines for Integrated Production Systems. Increasingly, the way the grapes have been produced and the wine has been made is used in the market place to differentiate one’s wine from that of the competition. For example, in Switzerland a golden label with the word “Vinatura” is added to the back of a wine bottle to signal to the consumer that grapes used for this wine came from vineyards that follow the “Wädenswil model”. This Wädenswil model was one of the first Integrated Production Systems for grapevines and has become the basis for similar systems in Oregon and New Zealand. Due to the relatively few problems with pests and diseases found in Colorado vineyards the Colorado grape and wine industry has a competitive advantage in the development of an Integrated Production System. The current proposal signals a change from past proposals. Much of the research efforts that were started by the previous State Viticulturist will continue either in the original form or with some modifications. However, these ongoing research projects will be realigned with a long-term perspective towards the development of an Integrated Production System. Further, the development of an Integrated Production System requires many different skills so there is a new emphasis on a multi-disciplinary or team approach to research. While the State Viticulturist retains overall responsibility for the research program and delivery of the outcomes, other team members will be the lead investigators in their field of expertise. As an example, research efforts in disease and pest control will be led by CSU scientists Dr Harold Larsen, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, and Dr Rick Zimmerman, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, respectively. As this long-term research program develops the list of collaborators is expected to grow. RESEARCH PROGRAM I. Development of Integrated Wine Grape Production 1. Disease Control The long-term objective of our research is to reduce the amount and toxicity levels of disease control substances. There are a number of avenues through which this can be achieved. First, sprays should be applied only if and when needed. Second, alternative control substances with lower toxicity may be used. And third, other cultural practices that may reduce disease development should be utilized (e.g. canopy management). This latter point illustrates the link to and need for an inter-disciplinary approach to research. Powdery mildew (Uncinula necator) continues to be the most important disease of grapevines in Colorado. Current recommendations are calendar based and rely heavily on the application of sulfur and other control substances to provide a continuous protection of susceptible tissues. There is an abundance of evidence from around the world that using a calendar-based spray program often results in spray applications in excess of what is needed. Many disease prediction models for powdery mildew have been developed and are being used in other areas to help determine if and when spray applications are required. Using such “Decision Support Systems” can result in significant reductions in the number of spray applications and/or significant cost savings. Specific projects for the 2001/2002 period include: Determine the overwintering inoculum source(s) for powdery mildew There are two ways that powdery mildew can overwinter: as cleistothecia on canes, cordons and stems, or as mycelium in buds. Control strategies for powdery mildew need to take into account the inoculum source. Perennation of powdery mildew in infected buds is important in climates with milder winter temperatures, e.g. California. Infected shoots arising from infected buds (flag shoots) are an important inoculum source early in the growing season. We plan to determine what role infected buds play in providing an early season inoculum source of powdery mildew. Test and develop “soft” control strategies for powdery mildew There are many control substances with low toxicity levels now available for the control of powdery mildew. Such alternative or soft control substances include oils (e.g. Stylet oil or jojoba oil), biocontrol agents [(e.g. Ampellomyces quisqualis isolate M-10, (AQ10)], and plant defense elicitors. In addition, new products are being released on a continual basis. We will test the efficacy of a number of those substances to control powdery mildew under Colorado conditions. We plan to evaluate those control substances that offer good powdery mildew control and fit well within the framework of an Integrated Production System. 2. Pest Control As mentioned above for disease control, the long-term objective of our research is to reduce the amount and toxicity levels of pest control substances. At present, the grape mealybug Pseudococcus maritimus is the major pest of grapevines in Colorado. The main damage caused by the grape mealybug is the production of honeydew and/or sooty mold on the fruit which greatly reduces fruit quality. A potentially even bigger threat is the fact that the grape mealybug has also been identified as a vector for grapevine leafroll virus. Determine the life cycle of the grape mealybug Pseudococcus maritimus Determine the best time to apply insecticides for the control of mealybugs According to Kontradieff and Cranshaw (technical report # TR94-1, Colorado State University) the grape mealybug produces two generations per season. We plan to further define the life cycle and determine the timing and duration of the crawler stages. A detailed knowledge of the life cycle is a pre-requisite for determining the best time for spray applications. Identify natural enemies of grape mealybugs According to the literature, several parasitic wasps, predacious flies, brown lacewing, and some species of lady beetles are natural enemies of the grape mealybug. However, effects of natural enemies are unknown in Colorado. We plan to collect and identify specimens that appear to be predators of mealybugs. Dr Zimmerman has already collected and is rearing some pupae that were found near an overwintering mealybug colony. 3. Sustainable resource use Within an Integrated Production System there is a holistic view of the vineyard environment that requires a sustainable use of vineyard resources, including soil, water, and air. Again, the individual projects listed below are the start of a long-term program on the sustainable use of our resources. Water use of grapevines There is a definite lack of understanding of the water needs for grapevines in the Colorado climate. Irrigation inputs vary widely within the Colorado grape industry from too little to grossly excessive watering. An understanding of grapevine water use is a prerequisite for the development of sound irrigation practices. In addition, irrigation management can be a powerful tool to influence not only grapevine growth but also fruit quality. In a first step towards the development of better irrigation practices we will use the heat-pulse technique to determine the water use of mature grapevines growing at the Western Colorado Research Center at Orchard Mesa. Heat-pulse probes will be installed shortly after bud burst and water use will be monitored throughout the season.