Viticulture 6 - South Africa Wine Research Library

Quantifying the impact of ants on vine mealybug and its parasitoids

Project number: US E/A A1
Project leader: Addison, P
The interaction between ants, vine mealybug and mealybug parasitoids has not yet been quantified in South Africa. Different ant species exhibit various degrees of aggression towards mealybug parasitoids and this would therefore, amongst other factors, influence the degree of disturbance of biological control of mealybug. The aim of this study was to establish, under controlled conditions, the relative impact of three pest ant species on the effectiveness of biological control of vine mealybug by parasitoids.

Control of root diseases in grapevine nurseries

Project number: US PP 02 2001
Project leader: Fourie, P H
The aim of this study was to carry out a re-assessment of fungi associated with root diseases of nursery grapevines in the Western Cape. Pathogenicity tests will confirm which of these pathogens isolated pose a threat to nursery grapevines. Further fungicide work (Petri dish trials) will confirm which products can be considered for disease control. In this regard, nurserymen will be able to limit their losses from soil borne diseases, by means of effective disease control measures.

Polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) and its fungus in South African vineyards

Project number: US FR 20-01
Project leader: Roets, F.
This project will do preliminary investigations into the host status of grapevine to the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle (PSHB).

Impact of climate change factors on physiological and vegetative growth parameters of young grafted grapevines

Project Number: P04000146
Project leader: Theron, H Hunter, J J
Warming of the climate system is unequivocal. The climate directly affects physiological processes as well as parameters important in sustainable viticulture…

Quantification and characterisation of water stress in grapevines under sub-surface irrigation and selective water stresses with novel measuring techniques

Project Number: WW GDT 02
Project leader: Strever, A E
Carbon isotope discrimination, photosynthesis measurements and infrared thermometry were evaluated to monitor grapevine water status differences induced…

The impact of grape berry ripeness level on berry and wine composition and potential wine style of Vitis vinifera L cv. Pinotage

Project Number: WW ET 15-01
Project leader: Terblanche, E
Limited information is available to producers regarding the relationship between the berry ripening stage and the wine quality of Pinotage in South Africa. Ripening stage…

Improving poor performing grapevines by means of root pruning or mulching

Project Number: WW EM 17-01
Project leader: Moffat, E G
Spatial variability and grapevine underperformance are common challenges faced by grape growers. Root pruning is currently carried out as a practice based on growers’…

Combining viticulture and cash crops in land use models for emerging farmers

Project Number: WW 18-01
Project leader: Raath, P
Cultivation of cash crops in combination with viticulture is investigated in a field trial at the Lutzville Experiment Station.Vegetable production between the rows…

Evaluation of existing wine grape rootstocks for their ability to withstand the environmental challenges in South Africa

Project title: Evaluation of existing wine grape rootstocks for their ability to withstand the environmental challenges in South Africa
Project Number: P04000083
Project leader: Volschenk, C G
South Africa is a water scarce country and stored water may even become less available for agricultural use in future. The predicted global change in climate may…

Effect of in-row vine spacing under high soil potential condition on grapevine performance

Project title: Effect of in-row vine spacing under high soil potential condition on grapevine performance
Project Number: P04000082
Project leader: Hunter, J J
We are currently, like in the past, using the principle that the higher the soil potential, the wider the spacing should be. Worldwide, the question is raised whether…

The effect of row direction on the physiological, viticultural and enological performance of Shiraz/101-14 Mgt

Project Number: WW 12-20
Project leader: Hunter, J J
The aim of the project is to determine the physiological, viticultural and enological effects of row direction, to make recommendations regarding the direction of planting…

Determination of the resistance / susceptibility of grapevine rootstocks towards grapevine trunk disease pathogens

Project Number: WW 06-44
Project leader: Halleen, F
Knowledge regarding the susceptibility/resistance of rootstocks used in South African grapevine nurseries towards the most economically important trunk disease…