Understorey management for sustainable bio-protection in vineyards: diseases

Researchers: Marco Jacometti, Steve Wratten, Marlene Jaspers, Monika Walter (HortResearch, Lincoln) and Seresin Estate Vineyard, Marlborough
This project is using a range of waste-stream materials as mulches below vines to accelerate decomposition of vine prunings and other vine materials to interrupt the botrytis (grey mould) disease cycle. There is evidence that botrytis on grapes is derived to a large extent from locally-produced spores, so interrupting the production of these could contribute to disease suppression at harvest time. Mulches comprising inter-row-derived grass clippings, two types of marc (winery waste comprising grape pips and skins) or shredded office paper can all reduce botrytis incidence on the berries to below the economic spray threshold. Mechanisms include enhanced soil biological activity below the vine, increased soil moisture levels, thicker grape skins and changes to the density of the vine canopy itself (http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/story9451.html?).
Funded by FRST and Technology New Zealand.