Main pests for March and April
Grapevine excoriose Phomopsis viticola
European red mite Panonychus ulmi
European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana
Grapevine excoriose
The causal agent of the disease overwinters as fruiting bodies in the bark of the matured shoots and as mycelium in the buds and wood. The critical period for disease development is from the grapevine growth stage “bud swelling” to the growth stage “3rd–4th leaf”, combined with moderately warm weather and air humidity above 98–100%. The symptoms of the disease are manifested in the death of the primary buds, elongation of the arms and their dieback.
Strategy for pest control
Treatment with plant protection products is mandatory if the disease was detected in the vineyards in the previous year. A single independent spraying is carried out when about 40% of the buds located at the base of the shoots are at the “green tip” growth stage. In a cool and rainy spring, when the susceptible period for excoriose is prolonged, a second spraying is performed when 30–40% of the buds at the base of the shoots are at the “2–3 leaves” growth stage.
Authorized plant protection products
Verita WG - 0.2%; Mikal Flash - 0.3%; Momentum Extra WG - 300 g/ha; Pencozeb 75 WG - 210 g/ha; Solofol - 188 g/ha; Thiovit Jet 80 WG - 1250 g/ha; Folder 80 WG - 187.5 g/ha; Follow 80 WG / Friller 80 WG / Flowet 80 WG - 187.5 g/ha; Delan 700 WDG - 0.2%; Kumulus DF - 750 g/ha.
European red mite
The larvae, nymphs and adult mites cause damage by sucking sap and chlorophyll grains from the developing buds and from the underside of the leaves. They secrete enzymes that break down the pigments in the leaves. As a result of the damage, the colour of the leaf blade changes slightly. From a distance, the leaves appear grey-brown and have an upward-curled margin.
Strategy for pest control
Spraying is carried out up to the “bud swelling” growth stage and at the beginning of egg hatching.
Authorized plant protection products
Para Sommer - 3%; Zoom 11SC - 12.55 ml/ha; Ovіpron TOP EC – 2500–3500 ml/ha; Thiovit Jet 80 WG - 2000 g/ha.
European grapevine moth
The flight of the butterflies of the overwintered generation begins when the average daily air temperature, over a period of about ten days, rises above 10–12 °C.
Strategy for pest control
In March and April, to monitor the flight and the number of attracted butterflies of the first generation of the pest, pheromone traps are hung on the trellis system in the vineyards (1 trap per 25–30 ha of vineyards).
