Posts By Date
A new factsheet series developed by Dr. Erdal Ozkan, our Extension State Specialist in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE) is now available on-line. The series includes seven factsheets each covering a specific topic associated with effective and efficient spraying in orchards and vineyards. The topics include: best practices for effective spraying, selecting the right type and size of nozzles, strategies to minimize spray drift, strategies to maximize pesticide deposit and coverage on target, Calibration and adjustment of sprayers, new developments in spraying equipment, and overall best practices for effective and efficient spraying in orchards and vineyards. A list of all seven factsheets with links is provided below.​
This series of Fact Sheets is the most complete collection of all the essential aspects of spraying in vineyards and orchards. For example, Sprayers for Effective Pesticide Application in Orchards and Vineyards (FABE-533) provides details, with 41 photographs, about some of the different sprayers that are used to spray fruit crops. It is the first factsheet of its kind in the United States with information in one single publication on different kinds of sprayers: hydraulic, air-assisted, sprayers with adjustable spouts, multi-row adjustable sprayers, tower type airblast sprayers (Figure 1), air-assisted sprayers with multi-head fans, tunnel sprayers, and pneumatic air shear sprayers. Another unique factsheet (FABE-538) gives information on advancements in orchards and vineyards. All the best practices one can follow to achieve best efficiency and effectiness in spraying vineyards and orchards. If you have not calibrated your sprayer because you think it is complicated, and if you want to use the air assist provided by airblast sprayers, you should take a look at FABE-537 which covers both topics: an easy way to determine the actual gallons per acre application rate, and adjustment of air flow to achieve maximum deposit of pesticides on the target while minimizing spray drift.
Although it is possible to get printouts of these publications once you reach them online using the links given below, Dr. Ozkan is currently working on designing user friendly print versions of the factsheets. These factsheets will be available on-line sometime in February. For more information of the factsheet series please contact Dr. Ozkan (ozkan.2@osu.edu).
Figure 1. One of the several tower-type airblast sprayers as shown in the factsheet Sprayers for Effective Pesticide Application in Orchards and Vineyards (FABE-533) by E. Ozkan and E. Gill
FABE-533: Sprayers for Effective Pesticide Application in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-533
FABE-534: Selecting the Right Type and Size of Nozzles for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-534
FABE-535: Strategies to Minimize Spray Drift for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-535
FABE-536: Strategies to Maximize Pesticide Deposit and Coverage for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-536
FABE-537: Calibration of Orchard and Vineyard Sprayers https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-537
FABE-538: Advancements in Technology for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-538
FABE-539: Best Practices for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-539
By: Imed Dami and Diane Kinney, HCS-OSU
This article summarizes the 2021 dormant and growing seasons and the impact of weather on grape varieties grown on the research vineyard at the OSU-OARDC in Wooster, Ohio.
Weather: Temperature
Our weather trends for 2021 were nearly identical during January and March to 2020 with very warm temperatures. We had a slight drop during February with a recorded low in Wooster of -2.4 oF on the 17th. That was our lowest temperature for the winter months. We were fortunate to avoid any spring frost events. Temperatures during the ripening period of August through October remained above the long-term average. October temperature was nearly 8F above average, which was ideal for fruit ripening. The fall killing frost occurred on November 3rd in Wooster. The year ended with nearly 10F above normal in December which is not ideal for vine cold acclimation.
Weather: GDD
In comparison with 2020, although our average daily temperature was about 8 degrees warmer in January for 2021, we did not gain any GDDs until March. But we doubled the average that single month. In October, GDD (300) were more than double the 30-year average. Warm temperatures during the ripening season pushed us well above both 2020 (3000 GDD) and the 30-year average (3063 GDD) ending with 3295 GDD.
Weather: Precipitation
2021 ended with a total cumulative rainfall of only 30.99”. Rainfall was below normal in 8 out of the 12 months, especially in the winter and spring months. The trend in the downward direction has continued over the past 4 years, which may be an indicator of drought cycle in Ohio that may linger for a period of time. July was the wettest month with 6.75”. The ripening period was relatively dry which helped keep the fruit clean.
Vineyard Notes:
2021 Spring freeze injury: Once again, we dodged the spring frost bullet in Wooster. This was a very good thing as the warm temperatures in mid-March (low 60’s on March 24th) found bud swell occurring earlier than we would hope. Thankfully, the temps dropped at the end of March and early April to slow growth down a bit.
Diseases and insects: Our biggest enemy this year by far was a larger than normal population of bald faced hornets, yellow jackets and honey bees. We did observe some Downy Mildew in susceptible varieties. The dry spring and early ripening period allowed for a clean fruit at harvest Little damage occurred from wildlife this year which is dramatically different from past years.
Fruit quality: The dry/warm weather in August and September helped our fruit develop quickly with our first harvest being on August 23rd. After an initial burst, fruit ripening slowed to a more manageable harvest schedule ending on October 19th. Crop yields were high in most varieties. In general, berry weights and sugars were higher and acid was lower than in 2020, an indication of more ripe fruit for 2021 vintage.
2021 Harvest fruit composition of selected grape varieties at the Wooster research vineyard:
Variety |
Harvest Date |
100 Berry wt (g) |
SS (%) |
pH |
T.A. (g/L) |
FMI |
Aromella |
16-Sep |
206 |
17.4 |
|
|
|
Brianna |
23-Aug |
267 |
16.5 |
3.1 |
7.3 |
23 |
Cabernet franc |
14-Oct |
186 |
19.9 |
3.28 |
8.2 |
24 |
Chambourcin |
19-Oct |
261 |
22.9 |
3.27 |
8.7 |
27 |
Chardonnay |
21-Sep |
157 |
21 |
3.35 |
7.4 |
28 |
Crimson Pearl |
17-Sep |
218 |
21.8 |
3.45 |
7.2 |
30 |
Einset |
31-Aug |
259 |
19.8 |
3.41 |
4.2 |
48 |
Frontenac |
23-Sep |
130 |
22.5 |
3.4 |
14.4 |
16 |
Frontenac blanc |
14-Sep |
125 |
23.3 |
3.24 |
13.2 |
18 |
Itasca |
9-Sep |
138 |
20.6 |
3.12 |
10.2 |
20 |
Jupiter |
8-Sep |
427 |
18.3 |
3.18 |
5 |
37 |
La Crescent |
23-Sep |
139 |
23.6 |
3.25 |
12.2 |
19 |
Marquette |
9-Sep |
146 |
23 |
2.84 |
13.4 |
17 |
Petite Pearl |
28-Sep |
119 |
23.5 |
3.51 |
7.2 |
33 |
Regent |
10-Sep |
223 |
20.4 |
3.01 |
6.5 |
32 |
Sauvignon blanc 27 |
28-Sep |
184 |
22 |
3.23 |
7.3 |
30 |
Vanessa |
1-Sep |
252 |
17.8 |
2.75 |
4.5 |
39 |
Verona |
5-Oct |
221 |
21.5 |
3.34 |
7.9 |
27 |