The appearance and development of botrytis on grape berries can have consequences not only for the quantity of the harvest, but also for its quality, as botrytis affects the taste of the wine. Here are a few points to bear in mind if you want to prevent the onset of botrytis.

Certain periods in the vine cycle are crucial, especially if they occur in conditions favorable to the appearance of botrytis, i.e. high temperatures and marked humidity, which should raise the alarm.

Vigilance is called for at flowering time, if spring is marked by high temperatures and humidity generated by recurrent rainy spells. Bunches of grapes can be contaminated at this time. Another crucial period is midsummer, from late July to late August, when conditions can favor the appearance of botrytis: temperatures ranging from 18 to 30°C during the day, recurrent thunderstorms.

One of the vectors of disease entry is also cluster worms, when moths at the end of their cycle sting the berries. Control can be established upstream with mating disruption, but if this system fails, you need to be vigilant and consider a preventive treatment.

Leaf removal sparingly

In addition to the application of a biocontrol solution such as Julietta, aerating bunches of grapes by thinning out the leaves can help to prevent the onset of botrytis. Beware, however, of wounds caused by leaf-thinning, as these remain an important entry point for botrytis. It is also advisable to thin out the leaves on one side of the row only, so as not to overexpose the bunches and expose them to the risk of burning in the event of a heatwave.

Julietta, our biocontrol solution against botrytis, is easy to use: its application is flexible, with short lead times in the vineyard and before harvest.

Contact us to find out more about Julietta and to receive support in your fight against botrytis: http: //agrauxine.com/fr/contactez-nous/