The role of eriophyid mites in yield decline in cabernet sauvignon in Western Australia

Abstract

This project sought to determine whether yield decline in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Margaret River region of Western Australia was caused by bud infesting mites.

Summary

This project had the objective of comparing untreated vines infested with grapevine bud mite to treated vines to determine whether the mite was causing yield decline in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Margaret River region of Western Australia. One of the vineyards studied had recently converted a portion of vines to cane pruning from spur pruning. Measuring the effect of this on mite abundance and consequent effect of yield was included.

The miticide treatments did not result in significant reduction in mite presence and no difference in vine growth characteristics or yield among the treatments for mite control was found. There were no significant difference between cane and spur pruning on mite abundance, vine growth characteristics or yield.

Further work is required to identify successful mite suppression methods in order to clarify the pest status of grapevine bud mite on yield in Cabernet Sauvignon.

Two species of predatory mite were identified in the study vineyards, but their role in mite management would only at best be seen to supplement other tactics in mite management.

This project received financial support from the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, and Pialligo and Voyager Vineyards of Western Australia.