The busy time of April has arrived in the vineyards, and as spring sets on, the vineyards come alive. During this critical season, viticulture requires a series of management and agricultural practices to ensure healthy growth and high yields of grapes. Here are the main phenological periods, the main pests and diseases, and agricultural practices in April.
Phenological period of the vineyard in April
April is a crucial time in the vineyard, covering several key phenological periods, such as bud break, leaf development, rapid branch growth, inflorescence separation, spike exposure, flowering and fruit set. These phenological periods may vary slightly depending on the environmental conditions of the vineyards in different regions.
Major pests and diseases
In April, special attention needs to be paid to some of the main pests and diseases in the vineyard so that they do not adversely affect the yield and quality of the grapes. The main diseases include black pox, gray mold and cob brown blight. In addition, the main insect pests are thrips, green blind bugs and gall mites. Timely and effective control measures are the key to ensuring the healthy growth of grapes.
主农事操作
In order to maintain the health and high yield of the vineyards, April is a busy agricultural season. Here are some of the main farming practices:
Budding and fixing:
After budding, according to the characteristics of different varieties, the excess buds are erased to reduce the consumption of nutrients and promote the development of flower spikes. The key to wiping buds is to eliminate the front buds with strong growth power, balance the growth force of the front and rear parts of the main vine, erase the high buds, and retain the low buds to prevent the fruiting parts from moving out year by year, balance the fixed shoots, and set the density of new shoots according to the leaf size to ensure uniform distribution.
Tie vines and whiskers:
The purpose of tying vines is to make the new shoots evenly distributed, reasonably occupy the shelf surface, and prevent the growth of too dense or too thin. At the same time, tying vines also helps flower bud differentiation and improves fruit setting rate. While tying the vines, pinch the tendrils of the vines in time to prevent them from becoming entangled with each other.
Timely topping:
As the temperature increases, the growth rate of the branches increases, and the proper topping can regulate the distribution of nutrients. The time of topping varies depending on the variety, but it is generally performed about 3~8 days before flowering. The method of topping involves removing the secondary shoots below the inflorescence on the fruiting branches and leaving a certain number of leaves for topping.
Latte art trimming:
In order to control the development of grape flower spikes and improve fruit yield and quality, latte flower spike trimming operations can be carried out. When the new shoots grow to the 6-7 leaf stage and the spike length is 7~10 cm, usually about 20 days before flowering, it can be carried out by pulling flowers or fertilizing to promote the development of grape flower spikes.
Pest and Disease Prevention:
For common pests and diseases, such as cob brown blight, gray mold, black pox, thrips, green blind bugs and gall mites, choose the right pesticides and control opportunities for prevention and control.
Fertilizer & Water Management:
April is the time when the grapes need more water and nutrients to grow, so spring irrigation and spring fertilizer should be applied at the right time to ensure that the vines have enough water and nutrients.
April is a critical time in the vineyard, and the proper implementation of agricultural practices will have a direct impact on the growth and yield of the grapes. Through scientific management, winegrowers are able to usher in a healthy and productive grape season.