KSU Viticulture Project
USDA 1890 Capacity Building Project: Sustainable control of grape black rot, Japanese beetle, and leafhoppers in the Southeastern United States
OBJECTIVES
1) determine the efficacy of 'particle film' and selected fungicides approved as organic alternatives on the control of grape black rot disease in the S.E.,
2) determine if the combination of particle film technology with selected insecticides approved as organic alternatives can effectively control Japanese beetle and leafhopper infestations in the vineyard under conditions in the S.E.,
3) determine if there are synergistic interactions between the fungicides and insecticides approved as organic alternatives, and the 'particle film' compound Surround TM WP in the control of grape black rot, Japanese beetle and leafhoppers.
APPROACH
Both field and greenhouse experiments will be conducted in an effort to develop organic or sustainable methods to control the three most serious and economically important disease and pest problems of grapes in the S.E. region. In a series of factorial greenhouse experiments using potted grape plants, the efficacy of Surround WP and other materials to suppress the infection of grape leaves by black rot will be tested by treating leaves with combinations of Surround, Mancozeb, copper sulfate, sulfur, and Oxidate. The leaves will then be challenged with a series of inoculations with the black rot fungal organism. The number of days required to observe infection, the number of black rot lesions, and the spread of the disease within the plant will be examined. At least three cultivars will be evaluated in the experiments. Field experiments with at least three cultivars will also be conducted to determine if Surround and above treatments can effectively suppress black rot disease in the vineyard. A factorial experiment will be conducted to examine the effects of Surround, Neem oil, Surround + Neem oil, and spray frequency, applied to grape vines (three cultivars) on Japanese beetle and leafhopper infestation and survival under choice and no choice (screen covered cages) conditions using potted grape-vine stock in the field. Plants in the KSU vineyard and nearby private vineyards will also be treated with Surround and Neem oil treatments and Japanese beetle and leafhopper frequency and activity will be compared to untreated plants. TOP
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possibility of growing some relatively new seedless or seeded table grape cultivars in Kentucky so as to provide information to grape growers for the possible fresh table grape market.
MATERIALS
Mostly seedless American cultivars: Canadice, Concord Seedless, Einset, Edelweiss (seeded), Glenora, Himrod, Jupiter, Mars, Marquis, Reliance, Vanessa, Venus. Other newer cultivars may be added later.
APPROACH
The table grape research vineyard will be developed in Spring, 2005. Vines will be tested for disease resistance and management, cold hardiness and de-hardiness, vigor, phenology, etc. for the first 2 or three years. Yield and fruit quality will be tested once vines get to the bearing age. Possible external funding will be sought for support of the project. TOP
We are planning to conduct research on European cultivar trial, rootstock study and mulching study. Vine physiology and biology research, canopy management and pest and disease management will be added later as the project expands. TOP