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).
Efforts to improve sustainability and increase productivity in agriculture are being encouraged globally. More growers are turning to Ascophyllum nodosum extracts within their crop management program to assist with this goal.
“High-quality wine starts with high-quality inputs, that lead to top performing vines,” says Dr. Holly Little, Director of Research and Development, Acadian Plant Health™. Foliar applications of Ascophyllum nodosum extracts have been increasingly utilized as a strategy to improve grape quality. Growing regions are facing unpredictable climatic conditions which affect grape ripening dynamics, productivity, and quality.
“Global research trials prove that incorporating Acadian Plant Health seaweed extracts into vineyard input programs results in improved plant establishment, as well as improved nutrient uptake and distribution within the plant. Trials on grapes using Stella Maris® found reduced transplant shock, increased new roots and shoots, increased root length, and increased chlorophyll content in leaves,” says Dr. Little.
Increasing environmental challenges throughout the season affect yields and long-term vineyard health. Stella Maris enhances the tolerance of abiotic stresses and improves grapevine resistance to water stress, consequently improving plant yield and berry quality. In trials, the rachis length was measured and treatments with Stella Maris increased rachis length. Longer, looser bunches allow for better spray penetration, resulting in healthier berries. Stella Maris elicits the production of anthocyanins, which are important for stress protection and contribute to the quality of juice for wine.
“I recommend a combination of foliar and soil applications of Stella Maris throughout the season to gain the most long-term benefits,” Dr. Little said. Foliar applications for in-season stress mitigation helps with berry, and ultimately, wine quality. Bunches from plants treated with Stella Maris had less variation in Brix within bunches and between vines. This indicates more uniform maturity and ripening, leading to improved wine quality.
Check out the crop application programs on our website. Acadian Plant Health products are used in soil and foliar inputs on over 70 crops in more than 80 countries worldwide.
