Page 27 - Grapevine March-April 2020

Around The Vineyard

UC Davis study last season, showcased the effective trol methods when shoots are an average of five
use of OxiDate 5.0 in a BioSafe Systems program inches in length. After almost all of the florets have
for grape powdery mildew, demonstrating leading bloomed, consider applying a post-bloom spray. It
significant performance for control of the disease is also a wise idea to apply pesticides before rainy
amongst multiple industry standard programs. periods so they have an opportunity to dry before
the rain comes. In fact, weather conditions have
Meanwhile, Semios is a scalable, data analytics a big impact on not only control applications, but
platform that uses precision agriculture technology also how many pests and diseases affect a vineyard
to help predict, identify and prevent pest and dis- during the year.
ease pressure. With company offices in California,
Washington and British Columbia, Canada, Semios “Pest control is really dependent on what part
aims to help growers worry less through automated of the world you live in and when the pests from
and remotely controlled climate, insect and disease your region are more active,” said Greenleaf of A1
monitoring treatment. Mist Sprayers. “However, using an A1 Mist Sprayer
allows you to use the unit anytime of the year that
“We believe that data, direct from the vineyard, the pests are being a nuisance and should be used
combined with dynamic modelling enables the year-round to not only eradicate a pest problem,
most efficient, effective and targeted approach to but also help in the prevention of pests, including
managing grapevine diseases, like powdery mil- powdery mildew, downy mildew, black rot and fruit
dew,” James Watson, the director of sales and mar- rot.”
keting for Semios, told The Grapevine Magazine.
Vadon and Clark of BioSafe Systems pointed
“When the appropriate action is taken with opti- out that many fungal disease pathogens are in a
mal timing, growers can improve results, while vineyard throughout the year, which means that
additionally mitigating the possibility of resistance vineyard managers should always stay vigilant
due to overuse of control products,” Watson said. with their management practices. It is essential to
“Tools like Semios can be a powerful ally when monitor vines for diseases leading up to and at bud
growers are seeking improved economies in man- break but also to be prudent heading into bloom
agement practices and their customers are pressur- until bunch closure.
ing them to adopt more sustainable practices.”
“During the fruit set and early fruit development,
Semios’ primary product available for vineyard vines are actively photosynthesizing and directing
management is its industry-leading grape pow- nutrients to growing points and developing clus-
dery mildew model, which Watson said provides ters,” said Vadon and Clark. “These specific growth
growers and consultants an index value with up to stages, coupled with potentially humid conditions
per-acre granularity that is computed inside the and mild temperatures, can produce the ideal
vine canopy. He said that this stands out from com- breeding ground for fungal diseases, such as pow-
mon commercial models that rely on climate data dery mildew, downy mildew and botrytis. During
gleaned from a handful of weather data sources this period, it is vital to manage fungal pathogens
outside of the vineyard. and their spores with proven products, especially
leading into bunch closure to ensure a healthy clus-
“Due to this unique, granular evaluation, growers ter.”
and PCAs get a modelled sense of the probable
location of disease risk hotspots in the vineyard Watson of Semios said that the ideal timing and
at any time,” Watson said about Semios’ advanta- frequency of pest and disease control measures
geous capabilities. “This can save critical time when vary considerably depending on a vineyard’s region,
scouting and assessing disease risk, while simulta- historical pressure, pathogen and variety.
neously informing a management strategy for opti-
mal response and effectiveness of treatment.” “Semios is ‘always on’ and provides the advantage
of feeding proven disease tracking models, devel-
Timing and Other Considerations oped by trusted university researchers, with the
most accurate and representative data,” Watson
As a general rule, many vineyards apply pest con- said. “Field data is updated every ten minutes,

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