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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines


Grape

Summer Bunch Rot (Sour Rot)

Pathogens: Aspergillus niger, Alternaria tenuis, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium herbarum, Rhizopus arrhizus, Penicillium sp., and others

(Reviewed 6/06, updated 6/06)

In this Guideline:


SYMPTOMS

As berries ripen and sugar content exceeds 8%, injured fruit become increasingly susceptible to invasion by a wide variety of naturally-occurring fungi. Invasion occurs at the point of injury caused by insect or bird feeding, mechanical or growth cracks, or lesions resulting from powdery mildew or black measles (esca). The resulting rot can be severe as it progresses beyond the original injury. Masses of black, brown, or green spores develop on the surface of infected berries. Bunch rot often culminates in sour rot, especially in the central and southern San Joaquin Valley. Sour rot is caused by a variety of microorganisms, including acetic acid bacteria, which are spread by vinegar flies attracted to the rotting clusters.

MANAGEMENT

Rotting fruit clusters present during veraison are indicative of summer bunch rot. Management of this disease complex is based on reducing injury or damage to the fruit, thus preventing invasion by bunch rot organisms. Basal leaf removal at or after berry set has given excellent control of summer bunch rot in the San Joaquin Valley. In warmer growing areas, be careful not to remove excessive numbers of leaves, which can lead to sunburned fruit. Remove leaves only from the side of the vine that receives afternoon shade. Also, leafhopper populations and damage caused by omnivorous leafroller have been reduced by this cultural practice. Treat at preclose and veraison if summer bunch rot has been a problem in the past.

To reduce growth-related damage to the berries, follow proper irrigation, fertilizer, fruit thinning, and canopy management practices. Prune to achieve vine balance between vegetative growth and cluster number. Also control powdery mildew and damaging populations of omnivorous leafroller and other berry feeders.

Common name Amount/Acre** P.H.I.+
(trade name)   (days)

When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to environmental impact.
 
A. IPRODIONE    
  (Rovral) 4F 1.5–2 lb 7
  MODE OF ACTION: A dicarboximide (Group 2)1 fungicide.
  COMMENTS: Restricted entry interval: 48 hours. Combinations of iprodione mixed with copper can be effective against summer bunch rot.
 
 
**  Apply with enough water to provide complete coverage.
+ Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
1 Group numbers are assigned by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) according to different modes of actions. Fungicides with a different Group number are suitable to alternate in a resistance management program. For more information, see http://www.frac.info/.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Grape
UC ANR Publication 3448
Diseases
W. D. Gubler, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
R. J. Smith, UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma Co.
L. G. Varela, UC IPM Program, Sonoma Co.
J. J. Stapleton, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Research Center, Parlier
G. M. Leavitt, UC Cooperative Extension, Madera Co.
A. H. Purcell, Environmental Science, Policy and Management, UC Berkeley

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2006 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/r302100211.html revised: June 5, 2006. Contact webmaster.