Building nature back into North Central Region vineyard systems for improved grape pest management and wine quality

Commodities

Practices

Grape production in the North Central Region is challenged by humidity, insect and disease pests before harvest, and limited experience with some effective biological approaches to these challenges. These issues can lead to poor yields and/or grape quality, and increased use of broad-spectrum pesticides in the period approaching harvest resulting in elevated risk to workers and pesticide residues in grape must (the liquid pressed from grapes) that can reduce fermentation. On top of these challenges, summer conditions are becoming much more suitable for cluster rot development, with intense rainfall that leads to cluster splitting that facilitates insect attack and rot development. These cluster rots reduce grape and consequently wine quality, leading to lower income for the growers. A team of researchers, extension educators, and growers will test ground covers and wildflower habitats in and around vineyards for supporting beneficial insects and improving vine development, reducing pests and thereby reduce cluster cracking from pest damage. We will also compare the effectiveness of manual cluster thinning and late-season selective biological pesticides as strategies tested alone and in combination to prevent cluster rots. Costs of the different inputs will be recorded, and fruit yields and quality will be compared among different strategies to determine relative returns on investment. We will integrate these objectives into a program for vineyard management that will be tailored for the grape industry in this region and the challenges they face. A Conservation Corridor network will link participating wineries as a foundation of a network of venues to promote vineyard resilience for North Central region vineyards.

Objective 1. Compare cover crops and wildflower habitats in vineyard settings for their support of beneficial insects inside and around vineyards, and their effect on cluster rot development and vine development.

Objective 2. Determine the relative effectiveness and economics of selective early leaf removal and biopesticides (alone and in combination) for control of cluster rots and insect vectors.

Objective 3. Develop and deliver an educational program on resilient viticulture tailored to a diverse range of people in the NorthCentral region.

Learning Outcomes: Greater awareness of insects and their roles in regulating pest outbreaks

Action Outcomes: Increased adoption of resilient practices for effective rot control

Condition change: Lower toxicity of pesticides used in vineyards, with greater fruit quality

Audience: North-Central region grape industry members and the public that purchase wine in this region.