Grapes (Vitis spp.), globally cultivated for wine and other grape-based products, are susceptible to various diseases, pests, and disorders. These challenges are particularly pervasive in Virginia and viticultural regions in similar climates. Thus, growers routinely use insecticides and fungicides to protect their fruits. However, frequent or excessive use of these chemicals can pose environmental and human health risks and increase the chances of fungicide resistance. Many crop production systems use physical barriers to shield plant surfaces from biotic and abiotic environmental factors, particularly in Asian countries. This study evaluated the efficacy of paper bags, umbrella-style covers, and fruit-zone shelters in mitigating fungal diseases, insect infestations, and other factors that damage grape clusters. A series of field experiments were conducted at four commercial vineyards in Virginia and one research experiment station at Virginia Tech in five years with eight grape cultivars. Our results highlighted the importance of bag and fruit-zone shelter applications. Especially when these protection measures were applied around bloom, we observed reductions in the level of multiple diseases and insect- and bird-related damages. Fruit bagging resulted in significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) mean severity and incidence of black rot, sour rot, sooty mold, and grape berry moth damage. Similarly, we found a significantly lower mean incidence of black rot, ripe rot, sour rot, and bird damage with the application of fruit-zone shelters. Thus, fruit bagging and fruit-zone shelter can be an effective cultural method for safeguarding grape clusters from different diseases, potentially reducing pesticide use and offering economic advantages to growers. / Master of Science / Grapes are produced for making wine and other grape-based products worldwide. However, grape production often faces challenges from diseases, pests, and environmental factors, especially in humid regions like Virginia. Grape growers use pesticides (insecticides and fungicides) to protect their crops. However, these chemicals can harm the environment and human health; moreover, these disease organisms and pests can become resistant to pesticides. In many parts of the world, especially in Asia, farmers use physical barriers like bags or covers to protect their crops from various harmful factors. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of paper bags, umbrella-style covers, and special shelters around the fruit area of grape plants against fungal diseases, insect problems, and other damages. We conducted a series of experiments over five years in four commercial vineyards and a research station in Virginia, using eight grape cultivars. Our findings showed that using bags and shelters around the grapes, especially during the blooming period, was effective. Bagging the fruit led to significantly fewer cases of diseases (black rot, sour rot, and sooty mold) and grape berry moth damage. Likewise, using shelters around the fruit area resulted in significantly lower diseases (black rot, ripe rot, and sour rot) and bird damage. Therefore, these protective methods could offer more options for grape growers to protect yield from factors damaging their high-value crops.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/117298 |
Date | 03 January 2024 |
Creators | Redoy, Mahadi Hasan |
Contributors | Not found, Nita, Mizuho, Baudoin, Antonius B., Bush, Elizabeth Ann |
Publisher | Virginia Tech |
Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
Language | English |
Detected Language | English |
Type | Thesis |
Format | ETD, application/pdf |
Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
Page generated in 0.0019 seconds