Grape Vine Physiological Disorders

A Lecture To ToT trainees ( FFS)

By Mr. Allah Dad Khan

Provincial Coordinator IPM KPK

MINFAL Pakistan

GRAPES Flower-bud, flower and berry-drop

This problem has been reported from the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan in North India. The malady has been investigated and the association of a number of

factors such as, improper nitrogen application, improper fertilization, ambient temperature, heavy

crop load, uneven ripening and endogenous auxin deficiency at a particular stage of berry

development are reported to cause the malady. To control bud, flower and berry drop, the following

measures are suggested; making 0.5 cm wide girdle from the trunk about 10 days before full bloom

which results in better berry set; judicious application of fertilizers under a given set of

conditions, particularly N fertilizers, for ‘even’ ripening; 500 ppm ethrel at veraison stage should

be applied; dipping of bunches in NAA 100ppm 10 days before ripening reduces berry

drop, heavy irrigation at bloom should be avoided.

Blossom-end rot

A black sunken spot develops at the blossom-end of the berry which later on spreads with

water-soaked region around it. Defective calcium nutrition and assimilation appear to be the

cause for it. Spray of 1.0 per cent calcium nitrate may correct it.

Grape Berry Shrivel

Symptoms

After ripening begins, Emperor berries become flaccid and sunken. Some affected berries develop color; some remain white. The flaccid berries are usually interspersed with normal ones, but occasionally several berries at the tip of a lateral or at the cluster apex are affected.

Grape shutter

Symptoms

Shatter refers to the loose berries, those that have detached from the stem.

Grape Water Berry

Symptoms

The affected berries become watery, soft, and flabby during ripening due to the interrupted flow of sugar and other constituents into the berries. The affected berries tend to have a more metallic, opaque, or dull green appearance; berry color will be lighter and more variable in red and black varieties. This results from the breakdown and necrosis of the cluster stem structure supporting cluster parts as well as individual berries. Ultimately, water movement may be affected, causing berry shriveling and drying. The earliest symptom is the development of small (1-2 mm) dark spots on the cap stems (pedicles) and/or other parts of the cluster framework. These spots become necrotic, slightly sunken, and expand to affect more areas. The cluster tips, shoulders, and upper laterals are most affected; the entire framework may be involved in severely affected clusters. The nectroic cluster stem tissue will have a dark brown to purplish-black or black color.

Frost Injury on Buds Herbicide Damage Glyphosate

PhosphorusDeficiency

Symptoms

Pigmentation seen in old leaves; leaf growth rate will be affected

Correction MeasureSoil application of super phosphate or foliar spray of DAP@1-2%

PotassiumDeficiency

Symptoms A dull, dark green color will appear on the

leaves.  In mid-to late summer, leaves may have a bronze color, especially on the west-facing side of the trellis.  Some leaves may have dark spots or blotches.  This symptom often has been characterized as black leaf of grapes Marginal chlorosis, browning, and drying may occur as the deficiency becomes more severe.  Other possible symptoms include brown dead spots or areas throughout the leaf.  In sever cases, more than half of the leaves on a vine may show these symptoms.  Severe potassium deficiency greatly reduces vine vigor, berry size, and crop yield.  Symptoms of potassium deficiency generally develop in mid-shoot leaves followed by older basal leaves.

PotassiumDeficiency

Symptoms A dull, dark green color will appear on the

leaves.  In mid-to late summer, leaves may have a bronze color, especially on the west-facing side of the trellis.  Some leaves may have dark spots or blotches.  This symptom often has been characterized as black leaf of grapes Marginal chlorosis, browning, and drying may occur as the deficiency becomes more severe.  Other possible symptoms include brown dead spots or areas throughout the leaf.  In sever cases, more than half of the leaves on a vine may show these symptoms.  Severe potassium deficiency greatly reduces vine vigor, berry size, and crop yield.  Symptoms of potassium deficiency generally develop in mid-shoot leaves followed by older basal leaves.

CalciumDeficiency

Symptoms Growth of the plant is reduced.

symptoms are first seen at the growing points of the plant, which may become necrotic and die.  Marginal leaf chlorosis followed by necrosis will be evident on the youngest leaves.  Flower buds will fail to develop.  The youngest leaves will remain small and deformed and will tend to curl upward at the margins.

Correction MeasureFoliar spray of CaSO4 1% or soil application of gypsum @ 50 kg/ha.

MagnesiumDeficiency

Symptoms of Mg deficiency develop on the older leaves first. 

Chlorosis (yellowing) appears between the veins of the leaves while the veins remain green.  As a vine becomes more severely affected, interveinal chlorosis intensifies in older leaves and spreads to younger leaves toward the terminals of canes.  The younger terminal leaves may not exhibit symptoms until the entire vine is extremely deficient. Early symptoms: green leaf margins with yellow between the veins. Deficiency of magnesium appears first on basal leaves of shoots as a yellowing between veins. Symptoms progress to dead blotches on the leaves, which may be a rusty-red. Advanced stage yellow between  veins interspersed with brown or often rust-colored areas.  First chlorosis of basal leaf margins, than between and secondary veins, leaf margin burn may develop, interveinal areas become white yellow or red depending on variety.

Correction MeasureMix magnesium sulfate at the rate of 6 kg per 200 litres of water.  Two applications usually are adequate.  Apply the first shortly after bloom and the second two weeks later.  Each spray application requires about 40

SulphurDeficiency

Symptoms

Whole orchard or spot-wise stunted growth of pale-green plants.

Correction MeasureFoliar spray of MgSO4@1%

BoronDeficiency

Symptoms Poor fruit set clusters will tend to be

small, and berries will not fully develop on the rachis.  Terminal buds may not break in the spring, and ends of shoots sometimes are distorted.  Borax or borate, B carriers, can be sprayed on in the spring when needed.  Pre-bloom sprays seem to be an effective way to get B into flower parts. Use foliar applications at an annual rate of one pound of actual boron per acre.

Correction MeasureFoliar spray of Borax 0.2% at soil application of Borax 25-50 g/plat.

IronDeficiency

Symptoms

Leaf veins remain green interveinal portion turns yellow young leaves small but not deformed.

Correction MeasureFFoliar spray of 0.5% FeSO4

ManganeseDeficiency

Symptoms Symptoms first appear as interveinal

chlorosis, or yellowing of the younger terminal leaves.Applying fertilizer-grade manganese sulfate at 20 to 40 gm per vine, or 100 to 200 kg per acre, depending on vine size and severity of the deficiency.

Correction MeasureFoliar application of Mn can be sprayed for immediate effect mix manganese sulfate at the rate of 160 gram plus 80 gram of hydrate lime per 200 litres of water.  Two application usually will provide season-long control of manganese symptoms.  First appln.just after bloom or when symptoms first appear and second two weeks later.

ZincDeficiency

SymptomsP oor fruit set and stunted shots with

small, misshapen leaves foliar application of zinc is the most effective method for treating Zn deficiency.

Correction MeasureNeutral zinc products containing 50-52% Zn, or zinc oxide (75-805 Zn) are both effective as foliar sprays.  Zinc spray applications are most effective in improving fruit set when applied during the period of two weeks prior to bloom up to full bloom.  If foliar deficiency symptoms persist or reappear, a second application may be necessary.