Effective Cleaning of Plumbing & Disinfection of Water for Grapes - Agriculture

The Cabernet root stock was planted in 1989 and vine performance has been slowly in decline for the past 3 years, largely due to established Phylloxera and Nematode parasite colonies. There were also instances of mites, leaf hoppers, Virginia leaf hoppers and blue green sharp shooters. In addition, the constant incursion of minerals and biological growth has caused adverse performance in the existing Yi GPH emitters (2 per vine). To combat these daunting challenges, the decision to introduce our product line through the drip irrigation system was made at 2 weeks post emergence during bloom with the implementation beginning on 05/05/14.

Despite these initial obstacles, the implementation was put in place in record-time (compared to similar evaluative implementation). During the next 2 months, fruit growth performance and vine health was noted to be more robust than expected and reflective of a marked difference between the control and trial blocks.

Overall, vines were in good condition through and up to post-emergence of the bloom. It was hoped that typical spring conditions would afford a fair comparison of spring acclimation and subsequent growth & survival performance into the 2014 growing season.

In 2013, differences in crop load and quality were noted from previous years. These will serve as a basis of comparison in 2014 as the introduction of our product into the drip system is carried out on the mature vines.

Each irrigation cycle is 1 gph / vine for 8 hours and re-occurs every 7 days. Foliar application was also used within specific protocols. At several points in the spring, bud break, cane growth, bloom, fruit set, canopy density, leaf turgidity and cluster growth were all monitored across the singular cultivar of Cabernet Grapes using the Eichorn-Lorenz Growth Stages format as guides. Vine mortality, and incidence of blank versus live buds was noted. These exercises provided an approximation of the relative differences between the control and trial blocks, which illustrated outcomes for the different vines. Cane pruning weights were also collected on two replications in connection with dormant pruning. This effort suggested their more desirable characteristics as a result from the application of our protocol versus the prior season`s vigor and growth, as reflected by 2013 wood production.

Measurements were taken of the berries using calipers and counted on 10 bunches in the each of the control and trial blocks. The average dimension was used for comparison of berry circumference and length of bunches in each block.

Results: The 2014 growing season to date has disclosed interesting comparative differences between the control and trial blocks ...

• Robust canopy appearance resulting from enhanced leaf turgidity
• Fruit set differential (Control Block =70% < 5mm in dia., Trial block = 70% 7-10mm in dia. @ 6 weeks from budbreak)
• Fruit Set - bunches were noted to be approximate 1.5" longer in the trial block. Tendrils at the cane extremities were noted to be 3" - 5" long in the trial block as compared to 1" - 2" in the control block.

Additional results:

• Reduction in counts of Nematodes and Phylloxera
• Continued unmitigated functioning of the emitters and drip irrigation system
• Lack of powdery mildew and no noticeable leaf hoppers mites or sharp shooters.
• The information presented herein is regarded as preliminary because final crop load management has not engaged in 2014, as full cropping and relative harvest timing are still being worked out for the site. Both aspects are expected to impact final results overall when applied in 2014. However, final grape quality, value for wine, and demand, will also play a final assessment role, particularly as more selective crop load management and maturity evaluation mediate results.

Conclusions/Outcomes/Impacts: Though cumulative analysis has provided desired results much better than hoped, we are filling in much of the information void that existed previously about the effective use of our protocol on grapes in this region. With this controlled study, we are moving from anecdotal lore too much more credible information as it is based upon side-by-side comparisons of the two adjacent blocks, grown at a single site right here in this region.

Serendipitously, in 2014, we seem to have hit upon a novel way for dramatically increasing vine health through the introduction of our products to the root system. This appeared to be more acceptable & effective than conventional nematode /phylloxera control measures in aging vineyards. Regular on the spot visual inspections by participants of the demonstrated results, further added the simple evidence of this application. In addition, with the active ingredient our product, there is no accumulation nor residual continued effect, due to the efficient breakdown of the product, once it is delivered to the plant system, either via irrigation or foliar application.

By using our application formula after each cutting, you will see results of improvement. However, results based on detailed observations are based on their own unique results and experiences. All water is different; every environment is different; every operator is different; and of course, every soil and seed is different. We cannot guarantee you will see any specific result listed above. But what we can guarantee is that you will immediately have clean, clear, nutritional water, as a good start. Your plants and soil will have healthy, nutritional water and as a result you will see benefits from that alone. Then raising the oxygen levels will further contribute to your overall production success. Application rates vary; for application rates contact the Distributor in your area. If there is no Distributor please contact us directly. Note: This is not a "magic bullet" solution. Our customized formulation, procedures, and protocol depend on many factors, and available exclusively to our customers.

If this makes sense to you, please give us a call; we would love to have you as a customer.