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Minimizing Grape Phylloxera Damage
In
May 2000, the CIWMB initiated a contract with the University of California
at Davis for a two-year demonstration and research project on wine grapes
using compost and mulch made from Mendocino County yard trimmings. CIWMB
funding, which totaled $79,932, plus matching funds of the partnership
will allow project staff to conduct detailed analyses of grapevines that receive either surface or incorporated compost applications. Project
staff will examine soil and grapevine samples to quantify phylloxera populations and related root
infections. Municipal mulch
is also being applied to a phylloxera-free vineyard floor on sloping
ground in Mendocino County to demonstrate soil erosion control.
Goals
- Demonstrate control of phylloxera and related
grapevine root infections using compost.
- Determine differences between surface and
incorporated compost applications relative to phylloxera and related
grapevine root infections.
- Demonstrate erosion control using mulch in a
sloping vineyard.
- Conduct field days and a workshop for commercial
growers.
Partnership
Organizations
- Fiscal Agent: University of California at Davis (UCD).
- Project Director: Jeffrey Granett, Entomology
Department at UCD.
- Key Partners: University of California at
Berkeley, University of California Cooperative Extension (Mendocino County).
- Participating Grower: Fetzer Vineyards.
- Disseminate the results of the project to grape
growers in California.
Project Components
- Partnership Development and Implementation of Work Plan.
The partnership team developed a detailed work plan for evaluating the use
of compost made primarily from municipal green material (yard trimmings) applied to either the
vineyard surface or incorporated into the soil around grapevines. Project
staff will examine soil and grapevine samples
to quantify phylloxera
populations and related root infections. Municipal
mulch and
straw are also being applied to a phylloxera-free vineyard floor on
sloping ground in Mendocino County to visually evaluate rill erosion.
The demonstration plots will be monitored through the spring of 2002.
- Development and Dissemination of Information.
During the course of the contract, the partnership team will develop and
disseminate news releases and other outreach materials.
- Coordination of Field Days and Workshops.
The partnership team will conduct at least two field days while work is in
progress and at least one workshop for growers during the beginning of
2002.
- Reporting and Publishing Results.
The partnership team will provide periodic briefs on the project status. A
final report will be submitted in May 2002 that contains scientific data
from the project, the costs to apply municipal mulch and compost in
vineyards, recaps the educational outreach conducted, and the project
results relative to observed erosion control and reduction of phylloxera-related
root
infection. The partnership team envisions continuing the project a
third-year with funding from other sources. The two-year report will be
available from CIWMB in the summer of 2002.
Contact:
Pat Paswater
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