Grapes were mentioned thousands of years ago in mythology and the god of agriculture, wine and grapes, Dionysus, in the Greek mythology or Bacchus in the Roman mythology, is often portrayed wearing grape vines and leaves around his head. It is said that grapes were cultivated in Asia 5000 B.C and ever since, grapes have been a welcome guest on tables.
Photo Credit: Magda du Toit
The biggest producers of table grapes are situated in the Northern Hemisphere. China produces the largest volumes of table grapes, followed by India, Uzbekistan, Italy, and the United States. In the Southern Hemisphere, the largest producers are Chile, Brazil, Australia, and South Africa. Most table grapes consumed in the United States are grown in California.
Growing table grapes requires expert management on various levels and includes understanding important key factors during all the growth phases. These include vine growth and physiology, vineyard design, farm inputs, crop management, labour needs, business management, and marketing. It is important to give proper attention to all these factors to be able to produce a consistent crop of high-quality grapes.
Photo Credit: Magda du Toit
To make life easier and provide piece of mind, farmers can use kelp extract as a biostimulant on grape vines to treat roots to help plants to extract nutrients from the soil more efficiently. “The use on crops will support natural root development and growth while improving the uptake of nutrients and water,” says Salo Minnaar, Commercial Director of Afrikelp™ Global.
Afrikelp™ LG-1 is a unique liquid concentrate extracted from the freshly harvested South African kelp Ecklonia maxima. Ecklonia Maxima is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet and can form large forests near the surface of the ocean.
Afrikelp™ LG-1 can be applied through standard spraying and fertigation equipment by directly applying it to the soil, or as a foliar spray during the spring time when shoots are growing, but mainly after flowering when berries are growing and also close to the veraison stage. Afrikelp™ LG-1 can be mixed with many other foliar or plant protection sprays.
The following recommendation can be used for the application of Afrikelp™ LG-1 on table grapes.
- At plant: One application can be applied by drenching new rootstocks. This will improve plant establishment and increase root development.
- Post planting: Do a foliar spray two weeks post planting. Foliar sprays can be repeated 4-6 times at 14-day intervals to improve plant establishment and increased root development.
- Rachis stretching: Do one foliar spray at 2 – 4 cm rachis length or at 10 – 15 cm sprout length to lengthen the cluster and improve shoot growth. These applications can help to avoid stiffening of rachis. Apply as a fine mist until the foliage is wet. Use enough water for good spray coverage. Apply during cool part of the day and prior to heat stress.
- Berry growth: Do a foliar spray when the berries are approximately 4 mm in size. Repeat at 5-12-day intervals with the last application when the berries are about 14 mm in diameter. These sprays will not only increase the berry size but will also homogenise berries in a cluster.
- Colouring: Do a foliar spray at veraison and repeat 7-14 days later to improve the colour of the berries.
- Post-harvest: Do a foliar spray or an application through the irrigation system to support the 2nd root flush growth to increase root tip numbers and improve nutrient uptake for reserves.
All recommendations are based on field experience and trial results worldwide. Genetics as well as environmental conditions must be considered in all applications as this has an impact on plant growth and production. Each recommendation should be adapted to local conditions, soil type and fertilisation programmes. Afrikelp recommends the additional use of surfactants with the foliar spray for better product uptake.
Photo Credit: Magda du Toit
Field trials conducted show the following benefits of applying to Afrikelp™ LG-1 to table grapes:
- Increased root vigour
- Bunch elongation (stretching)
- Increased early shoot growth
- Increased number of quality bunches
- Increased berry size
- Better berry size uniformity
- Assist with uniformity in colour
- Improved fruit sugar levels at harvest.
During trials, Afrikelp™ LG-1 used on table grapes have shown to increase uniform colouring by up to 75%. Afrikelp™ LG-1 also has a beneficial effect on berry size. Trials done in Mecca, Coachella Valley, California at a 100 gal/acre spray showed an increase in size of between 37% and 112%.
The United Nations has declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health. Afrikelp specifically focus on plant health and how improved plant health can play a pivotal role to help end hunger and reduce poverty, protect the environment, boost farm productivity and consequently form the basis for sustainable agriculture,” says Salo Minnaar, Commercial Director of Afrikelp™.
Harvest an ocean of benefits for your table grapes today!
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