Acadian PLant Health Bud Development
There are numerous challenges in vineyards and orchards throughout the season that affect yield and the long-term health of the plants. Late in the season is an essential time to ensure healthy, productive perennial crops for the following year. At post-harvest, trees and vines are often at their weakest and are recovering from a variety of stresses.
After harvest, attention should be given to next year’s crop potential, it is vital to ensure trees and vines have adequate energy to facilitate healthy root growth, bud development, and early spring growth. The post-harvest phase is a critical time for absorbing nutrients and building carbohydrate reserves used for fueling new growth the following season. Trees and vines require adequate water to maximize the storage of carbohydrates and nutrient uptake. Post-harvest water stress can reduce root growth and permanently affect the photosynthetic ability of plants. The stunted root growth results in a reduction in the amount of water and minerals that the plant uptakes, which further impacts the photosynthetic ability of the plant. The reduction in photosynthesis can influence the potential for continued plant growth and flower development for the following season which can negatively impact yield.
Post-harvest applications of Ascophyllum nodosum derived biostimulant Stella Maris® are proven to be beneficial to orchards and vineyards to help with new season results and help maximize future plant yields. Multiple bioactive compounds found within Stella Maris help plants improve post-harvest quality, which has a positive impact in next season’s production. Many different biotic and abiotic stresses have the potential to impact a plant’s growth and development, which reduces yield and profitability. The use of Stella Maris gives your crop that advantage to reduce the negative impact of the abiotic stresses.
Post-harvest applications of Stella Maris will help improve:
- Fall root flush and increasing carbohydrate reserves.
- Natural plant resistance to stress.
- Supporting bud development.
- Avoiding early defoliation, which can decrease flowering, bud development, fruit size, and fruit set the following year.
Stella Maris contains key polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) that trigger antioxidant production within plants. Antioxidants protect plants from pre- and post-harvest damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Additionally, the presence of fucose-rich polysaccharides and other key bioactives such as alginates, betaines and mannitol help with natural chelation of nutrients to make them more available as well as promote enhanced root growth and establishment.
Stella Maris encourages the production of proline (an amino acid) that strengthens cell walls within plants so that they don’t break down as easily post-harvest and protects plants against abiotic stresses.
Stella Maris is an easy-to-use water-soluble liquid formulation ready to be used in tank mixes or nutritional blends. Superior blending properties allow it to mix well with other ingredients. Stella Maris can be applied post-harvest via foliar spray or soil application for 2-4 weeks following harvest.
Preparing for next season starts with Stella Maris. For more information, visit AcadianPlantHealth-NA.com to find your crop application program.
WINE GRAPE TRIAL ‘MERLOT’ - CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
Photo by Acadian Plant Health™
Acadian Plant Health™
Wine Grape Trial ‘Merlot’. Roots pruned to same length prior to planting. Post four weeks, treated plant (right) had a much larger increase in root mass compared to the Control vine (left).
Applying Acadian Plant Health™ seaweed extract enhances root growth, particularly during periods of natural root flush. Increased root growth leads to increased ability to uptake water and nutrients.
Increases in root growth were evident on these own-rooted ‘Merlot’ grape vines. The roots of both vines were pruned to the same length. After four weeks, the APH SWE treated plant (right) had a much larger increase in root mass than the Control vine (left).
