Integrated Management of Grape Diseases

5F) Suggested Guidelines for Developing A Fungicide Spray Program for Organic Wine Grapes in Ohio

Remember that these are only "Suggested Guidelines". The program you develop will be based largely upon the diseases you have in the vineyard and disease pressure, which is largely dependent upon weather. In dry production areas, powdery mildew may be the only disease that needs to be controlled. In Ohio, (midwest and northeast U.S.), all of the diseases mentioned in these guidelines need to be considered. The materials mentioned are "suggestions". They can be replaced by any material that will provide effective control. The timing or scheduling of applications throughout the growing season is very important. The timing and comments in these "suggested guidelines" should be considered regardless of the material used.



Application Timing Material and Rate
Dormant immediately prior to bud swell Lime sulfur 10 gallons/A
1-3 inch shoot Lime sulfur 2 qt/100 gal
Comments: Primarily for control of Phomopsis and powdery mildew.
5-6 inch shoot
or 7-10 days after last spray
Lime sulfur 2 qt/100 gal
Comments: Primarily for control of Phomopsis and powdery mildew.
10-12 inch shoot 
or 7-10 days after last spray 

 

Flowable sulfur 6F (4 qt/A)
or
Wettable sulfur (8-10 lb/A)
or
Potassium Bicarbonate (2-5 lb/A)
or
JMS Stylet Oil (1%)
Comments: For control of powdery mildew
Immediate prebloom

 

Bordeaux mixture
or
Fixed Copper fungicide
NOTE: This is the CRITICAL period to control fruit infection by black rot, powdery mildew, and downy mildew.
Comments: The period from immediate prebloom through 3 to 4 weeks after bloom is the most critical for protecting the fruit from infection by Phomopsis, black rot, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Although not highly effective against black rot, copper fungicides appear to be the most effective organic materials for black rot and are highly effective for control of powdery and downy mildew. For this reason, a copper fungicide should be applied during this period if conditions are wet and conducive to black rot and downy mildew infection (Table 1). Black rot and downy mildew require free water on the plant surface in order to infect. Powdery mildew does not require free water, only high relative humidity. Therefore, when it is very dry, sulfur, potassium bicarbonate, or JMS Stylet Oil can be used in place of copper for powdery mildew control only.

In tests in New York and Ohio, three applications of a conventional fungicide such as Myclobutonil (Nova) on a 10 to 14 day schedule during this critical period (immediate prebloom through 3-4 weeks after bloom), provided excellent control of black rot without any additional applications. By 3 to 4 weeks after bloom, the fruit of most varieties become resistant to infection by black rot, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Although fruit become resistant, cluster stems (rachis) and leaves remain susceptible to powdery and downy mildew infection throughout the growing season. Under the proper environmental conditions, additional applications later in the growing season may be required.

Application Timing Material and Rate
First post bloom spray
10-14 days after last spray

NOTE: Critical period application.

Bordeaux mixture
or
Fixed Copper fungicide
Second post bloom spray 

NOTE: Critical period application.

Bordeaux mixture
or
Fixed Copper fungicide

Summer Sprays - throughout summer until harvest.
Remaining sprays should be determined by weather. At this point, the threat of black rot infection should be over. If it is dry and powdery mildew is a concern or problem in vineyard, sulfur would be the material of choice. Potassium bicarbonate or JMS Stylet Oil could also be used. If powdery is a problem, sprays should not exceed 10 to 14 days. If weather is wet, foliar infection by downy mildew may need to be controlled. A copper fungicide is most effective against downy mildew
Summer Spray Materials
Disease Controlled
Material and Rate
Powdery mildew


Flowable sulfur 6F (4 qt/A)
or
Wettable sulfur (8-10 lb/A)
or
Potassium bicarbonate
(Kaligreen) (2.5-5 lb/A)
or
JMS Stylet Oil (1%)
Downy mildew and Powdery mildew 

 

Bordeaux mixture
or
Fixed Copper fungicide
NOTE: Black rot should not be a problem during this period.
Comments: Do not apply copper or sulfur within 30 days of harvest or fermentation may be affected.

Post harvest


Depending upon varieties, there may be considerable time between harvest and the first killing frost. Especially in wet years, post harvest applications of copper may be required to control downy mildew. If downy mildew develops to sufficient levels, it can result in premature defoliation. Premature defoliation prevents vines from hardening off properly and they are much more susceptible to winter injury.