Reducing powdery mildew in the vineyard

Abstract

Reducing powdery mildew in the vineyard.

Summary

Powdery mildew in the vineyard is probably the biggest disease concern for growers in the Murray Valley. In an effort to assist growers reduce powdery mildew in the vineyard, two sets of events were held over two seasons. In the 2005-06 season growers were invited to attend workshops held in Mildura and in Tooleybuc. Due to weather events present at the time, the workshops were expanded to include information on downy mildew as well as powdery mildew. Attendance was good with 90 people attending the Mildura workshop and 30 attending the Tooleybuc workshop.

Participants heard from disease scientists and extension staff, chemical representatives and a spray application expert. Feedback from participants indicated that their expectations of the workshop had been satisfied. Participants indicated that they had heard new information on disease characteristics, chemicals, sprayer set-up and calibration as well as dilute versus concentrate spraying.

Participants indicated that they would like to hear more information on high and low pressure disease programs, cheaper ways to prevent and control disease, rain fastness of chemicals, new chemicals, sprayer set-up, disease symptoms and botrytis in future programs.

In the 2006-07 season taking into consideration the feedback from the 05/06 season season workshop participants, five workshops were run throughout the Murray Valley. The workshops were presented by Rachael McClintock from R & D Viticultural Services and delivered practical disease information on powdery mildew, downy mildew and botrytis. Workshops were proudly sponsored by Landmark, NuFarm, Bayer CropScience and Dow AgroScience.

Participants from the workshop indicated that the information presented in the workshops satisfied their expectations. Participants indicated that they had heard new information on the implications of having too many chemicals in the tank mix, the effects of temperature and humidity on spray effectiveness and vine damage, the use of cultural practices to decrease disease, the importance of a wetting agent and timing of prevention sprays. Of particular interest to participants were the high pressure, low pressure and no income year spray programs. Both sets of events delivered practical disease information that could be taken back into the vineyard and used to reduce not only powdery mildew but downy mildew and botrytis as well.