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Grape-Wine Newsletter April
Ohio Grape-Wine Electronic Newsletter
Editor: Imed Dami, PhD
Assistant Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist
Department of Horticulture and Crop Science
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
1680 Madison Avenue
Wooster, OH 44691-4096
Phone: (330)-263-3882
Fax: (330)-263-3887
E-mail: dami.1@osu.edu
www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/grapeweb/
25 April 2008
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Content:
Grape Flea Beetle Alert
Update from the North
Fungicide Spray Program for Wine Grapes
Fungicides for Grape Disease Control
Grape Phenology
Meet Patrick Pierquet
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Grape Flea Beetle Alert (Bud Swell)
By Roger Williams and Dan Fickle,Entomology-OARDC
Above average temperatures have arrived with late April and it’s time once again to be on the lookout for the first pest of the season the grape flea beetle. This beetle is about a ¼ inch in length, metallic steel blue in color and can be easily spotted on grape canes and buds on warm sunny days. If flea beetles are present in sufficient numbers when the vines are in the bud swell stage they can inflict sever damage to the newly forming blossoms within the swollen buds. Scouting of the vineyard for adult flea beetles should begin at bud swell and continue until bud development is past the critical stage, approximately ¾ inch growth. Scouting should be conducted along the vineyard perimeter and near the center of the vineyard. Areas adjacent to wood lots are of particular concern. At least 25 vines should be examined at each of the five locations. Buds should be closely examined for signs of flea beetle feeding. If bud damage (holes eaten in the buds) is 4% or greater an application of insecticide should be applied. Remember if emergence of this pest coincides with bud swell extensive damage to fruit development may result. Once the vines are past bud swell direct damage to the developing fruit is no longer of major concern however, adult beetles and developing larvae will feed on foliage causing holes and frayed areas in the young leaves. This damage is usually not of major concern but may lead to a build up in the flea beetle population from one year to the next and therefore treatment may help to prevent populations in subsequent years from reaching damaging numbers. This pest can be easily controlled with the insecticides Danitol or Sevin.
Update from the North
By Greg Johns,AARS Kingsville
We have observed the first FLEA BEETLE insects at the Ashtabula Agricultural Research Station today, April 18, 2008.
Phenologically, we are currently in full bloom in Forsythia and first bloom Star Magnolia (although other star magnolias down the street are in full bloom.
Growing Degree Days = 85 (but other sites range from 50-85(modified sine))
Grape buds are still pretty tight today but they are more easily bruised than a week or two ago.
A Description of Currently Available Fungicides for Grape Disease Control
Developing an Effective Fungicide Spray Program for Wine Grapes In Ohio 2008
By Mike Ellis Department of Plant Pathology The Ohio State University, OARDC/OSUE
Dr. Mike Ellis provided handouts at the 2008 Ohio Grape and Wine Conference. Recommended fungicide spray program for 2008 is attached.
Grape Phenology for the Wooster Research Vineyards
By David Scurlock HCS-OARDC
This week in Wooster is the first data taken for some of the varieties that we have growing in our vineyards. Bud development will vary drastically across the State of Ohio. The vineyards in the southwestern part of the state can be 3 to 4 weeks advanced in development in relation to Wooster. The vineyards north and west of Cleveland are very similar in bud development to Wooster. The vineyards east of Cleveland can be 10 days to 2 weeks behind Wooster due to the effects of Lake Erie. The last 2 weeks with Temperatures in the upper 70's to low 80's Fahrenheit has pushed some varieties. Please see table below.
Grape Phenology for Wooster, Ohio. Rating date 4/24.08. GDD=193
VarietyStage of Development*% of Buds at Stage #
Concord550
Seyval290
Chambourcin295
Vidal2100
Traminette290
Chardonnel290
Pinot gris295
Cabernet franc5100
Chardonnay580
* 2: bud swell, 5:bud burst - green shoot first clearly visible
New Research Assistant Hired in the Enology Program at OSU/OARDC
By Todd Steiner, Enology Program Manager and Outreach Specialist
I am pleased to formally announce the addition of Patrick Pierquet in the Enology Program at the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science-OARDC. Patrick officially started on March 31, 2008. He is hired as a Research Assistant, filling the role of laboratory and cellar manager that has been vacant for an extended period of time. Patrick will have many responsibilities involved with both research and extension activities at OSU/OARDC.
Therefore, it is with great anticipation that we are able to get Patrick on board at OARDC in continuing and further enhance an excellent research and extension program in enology for the Ohio commercial wine industry.
In addition, Patrick has provided a biography to gain further insight and information on his background in looking forward to meeting everyone involved in the Ohio grape and wine industry.
Welcome Patrick!
Comments from Patrick Pierquet
Hello! My name is Patrick Pierquet, and I am the newest member of the OARDC grape & wine research group. I will be working as Research Assistant for Todd Steiner, and I thought I’d tell you a bit about my background and experience.
I have training and experience in both viticulture and winemaking. Prior to moving to Minnesota, I was a partner in establishing a pick-your-own berry and grape operation near Madison, Wisconsin. I also worked fulltime one summer for the Alexis Bailly Vineyard in Hastings, Minnesota, helping them establish their first vineyard. I earned my M.S. degree in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota, where I did research on cold hardiness physiology in grapevines. For five years I worked as Research Assistant at Minnesota’s Horticultural Research Center, in their fruit breeding program. While at the Research Center, I initiated the University’s wine grape breeding program using our northern wild grape, Vitis riparia as a genetic source of hardiness. The red wine grape variety ‘Frontenac’ is the result of my breeding work with this species. During this period, I was also in charge of the experimental vineyard, and did the pruning and training chores. In addition, I helped organize the Minnesota Grape Growers Association during its early days.
I also have extensive winemaking experience – I’ve been a winemaker for many years, having started winemaking while I was in high school, using wild grapes that grew in the woods in my neighborhood. I was the first winemaker at the University of Minnesota, and made the experimental wines each fall as part of the grape breeding program.
In the past couple years I’ve had the opportunity to get hands-on experience in commercial wineries. For several weekends during the 2006 crush I worked as a volunteer “cellar rat” with two Minnesota wineries, Cannon River Winery and Alexis Bailly Vineyards. In 2007 I worked a stint as fulltime winery assistant at Galena Cellars Winery in Illinois, where I was involved with all phases of winemaking, from harvest through fermentation, filtering, blending and bottling, including laboratory analysis of juices and wines. These were valuable experiences, and gave me a better appreciation for the production processes in commercial wineries.
I’m excited about being at the OARDC, and especially having the opportunity to work with the talented research group assembled here. I look forward to learning more about the Ohio grape & wine scene, and getting to know the people working in our industry. Best wishes to everyone for a great 2008 vintage.
PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE OF THE GRAPEVINE!
