Dr. Andy Reynolds, Professor of Viticulture, Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario is one of the foremost experts on the impacts of viticultural practices on fruit and wine quality in North America. His seminars will discuss some of the results of the research he has done in the Niagara region of Ontario, and what those results can mean to growers in their vineyards. His seminars will be applicable to both wine grape and juice grape growers and we encourage everyone interested in grape growing to attend.

The seminar at each site will begin at 6:00 PM and run for approximately two hours. In addition to the seminar on Monday evening, Dr. Reynolds will be available for some individual site visits on the Monday afternoons (September 10 and 17), before the seminar, and for much of the day on the following Tuesdays: September 11 in the Lake Erie Region and September 18 in Niagara County.

Although there is no charge to attend a seminar, space will be limited so we ask that you reserve your space by calling Linda at 716.672.5296 and letting her know which seminar you would like to attend by September 6 for the seminar at Quincy Cellars in Chautauqua County, and September 13 for the seminar at Schulze Vineyards and Winery in Niagara County.

If you would like to arrange for a site visit, please contact Tim Weigle thw4@cornell.edu or call Linda in our office at 716.672.5296. As with the seminars, there is no charge for these visits. Visits will be arranged primarily on a first come, first served basis (with a preference given to members of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program) as well as any consideration needed for logistics in order to maximize the number of visits that can be made in the time available.

We have been recording male grape berry moth pheromone trap catches at six vineyard sites from Perrysburg at the east end of the belt to Ripley at the western edge of the grape belt in New York during the growing season in conjunction with the trapping project being carried out in Erie County Pennsylvania.

As you can see the number of male moths captured has varied drastically between sites and dates so far this season. We are currently seeing an upswing in the number of moth captures, especially at the Westfield site. It is important to note that we are still unable to correlate trap catches with cluster damage in the vineyard (which is actually what a portion of this project is attempting to accomplish). In the past we have recorded high trap captures and seen very little damage in the vineyard while in other years, or vineyards in the same year, we have seen low trap captures in vineyards with excessive cluster damage from grape berry moth.

While we do not know for certain, one explanation that is currently under discussion involves the ability of the pheromone in the trap to compete with the pheromone being released by female GBM in the area. During times where many female GBM are present they may be releasing a flood of natural pheromone which the male GBM preferentially follow, causing them to ignore the pheromone trail from the traps and increasing the chances of mating and ultimately cluster damage. When the population of GBM females is low in an area the male GBM are drawn to the pheromone from the traps which increases the trap catch.

Dr. Jodi Creasap Joins Cornell and Cooperative Extension as Viticulture Extension Educator with the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program
Jodi E. Creasap, a recent Ph.D. graduate from Cornell University's Department of Plant Pathology, will join the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program (LERGP) team as the new Viticulture Extension Specialist and Educator on November 1, 2007 LERPG is a two-state cooperative extension program of both Cornell and Penn State, partnering the resources of the universities, participating counties and industry. Originally from central Ohio where her family owns and operates a vineyard and winery, Jodi earned her B.A. in Biology from Hiram College and most recently worked as a post-doctoral research assistant in the Department of Plant Pathology at Michigan State University. During Creasap's tenure as a graduate student at Cornell, she studied biological control of crown gall disease in grapevines. Her studies ranged from field work applying biological control to vines prior to planting to laboratory work identifying specific bacterial genes involved in biological control. This research allowed her to work directly and gain familiarity with a number of growers in the Lake Erie and Finger Lakes Grape regions.
Her post doctoral research has focused on iron uptake in the fireblight pathogen, bacterial canker in sweet cherries and a greenhouse study in phytoremediation of copper. Jodi plans to apply her research experience in conducting variety trials, canopy management trials and other emerging needs identified by growers in the Lake Erie region. In 2002, Creasap was awarded the Alfred Toepfer Stipendium component of the Alexander von Humboldt award for agriculture that allowed her to study in the lab of Dr. Cornelia Ullrich at the University of Technology in Darmstadt, Germany. She was also the student recipient of the Geneva Plant Pathology Department's prestigious 2005 Robert M. Gilmer award for outstanding research, enthusiasm, community service and leadership. Creasap states of her new responsibilities "Our overarching goal is to ensure that stakeholders receive, in a timely fashion, the pertinent knowledge that addresses their specific needs, both in the short term, and in the long term. Currently, the transition for several growers from heartier juice varieties to more winter tender 'wine' varieties is an important issue. However we can't overlook the importance of continually assessing ways to sustain the juice grape industry." She adds, "Clearly, the Lake Erie region is an excellent area for grape growing - how can the LERGP assist growers in producing high quality grapes, profitably, now and for years to come?" The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets estimates the wine and grape industry to be worth $3.4 billion, with new vineyards being planted every year. These new plantings and stakeholders who are new to the business increase the need for extension agents to provide clear and concise information to growers in as efficient a manner as possible. To do this, Creasap proposes using current technology to the fullest, with online discussion forums during the slower winter months, in addition to the traditional, tried-and-true methods of continuing newsletters and online crop updates. "From one bacterial pathogen on a woody perennial to another," says Creasap, of her transition from working on crown gall in grapes for her thesis work to her post-doc research. "However, grapevines are my passion, so I never really stopped thinking about viticulture, and I'm excited about the opportunities in this expanding viticulture region. I look forward to being part of the team."

Grape berry moth (GBM) - yesterday, clusters were examined for GBM injury at 2 severe risk sites and 1 high risk site. Cluster counts were taken in border rows next to woods. Injury levels were determined by examining 25 clusters at each site for GBM feeding. A cluster is counted as injured if GBM injury is observed on any berry. The % injured clusters were extremely high in the border areas in the 2 severe risk sites (80% and 92%). This is the historical pattern for GBM injury levels at these sites for this time of the season.

However, at the high risk site only 24% of the clusters examined had GBM feeding. At this site in 2006 the same level of injury (24%) was reached a month earlier (7/31) and in 2005 cluster injury levels were already 32% by 7/18. This indicates that GBM injury levels at high risk sites may end up being lower than the previous 2 seasons but be aware that the potential still exists for late season problems.

SCOUT to determine injury levels. Keep in mind that GBM feeding injury is harder to see now that Concord berries have colored, so examine clusters carefully. If you decide to apply an insecticide good coverage of the clusters is essential. Achieving good coverage is difficult this late in the season so increase gallonage, reduce speed during application and adjust pH if needed. Blocks with rows parallel to the woods can be sprayed 8 - 10 rows from the wooded edge while perpendicular rows need to be protected at least 3 post lengths from the edge.

Always check the preharvest interval of any insecticide before application.

Weather:
At our location, we have accumulated 6.7 inches of rain so far in August. Our gdd accumulation since April 1 totals 2049 through August 29. Interestingly, this is slightly behind last year's gdd accumulation at this same time. However, there is no doubt that this year's crop is at a more mature stage at this point in time.

Diseases:
Here at the lab, bunch rots are developing on Vignoles, and to a lesser extent, Chardonnay (less compact than Vignoles). After the critical Botrytis spray at or just before veraison, one of the next steps for growers of susceptible wine grapes is to apply a pre harvest Botrytis fungicide application. Combined with good canopy management and powdery mildew control (established earlier this year), bunch rots can be successfully managed in most years. This application is generally applied about 2-3 weeks from harvest. It would also be good to review the information Wayne Wilcox compiled earlier this year regarding control of Botrytis and "other" rots (if you haven't already done so). Last year, many of us saw first hand how these "other" rots can destroy crop quality under extremely wet conditions when relying too heavily on just Botrytis specific fungicides to control bunch rots. We are also continuing to see some downy mildew leaf lesions and sporulation develop on newer leaves at or near the ground.

Upcoming Event: Science-Based Organic Grape Production Field Day. The Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center (the Penn State lab at North East) would like to invite all interested growers to attend a field day on September 6. This event will focus on the results of research trials conducted over the last 5 years on the production of both processing (Concord and Niagara) and wine grapes utilizing organic pesticides and practices. Some of the topics that will be presented include; the effectiveness of organic fungicides on managing common grape diseases (emphasis on black rot), utilizing mating disruption to manage grape berry moth, the impact of long term use of compost on grape vine disease management and productivity, a discussion of the importance of clean (disease free) vines in establishing new grape vine plantings, novel weed control methods, the basics of organic transition and certification, sprayer modification for drift mitigation, as well as marketing and grower panels to discuss the economics and grower experiences of organic grape production in our wet climate. After some brief introductory remarks, the program will begin at 10 am and continue until about 4:30 pm. Lunch will be provided. Growers should register through the Erie County Extension office at 814-825-0900.