How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

As berries ripen and sugar content exceeds 8%, injured fruit become increasingly susceptible to invasion by a wide variety of naturally occurring fungi. Invasion occurs at the point of injury caused by insect or bird feeding, mechanical or growth cracks, or lesions resulting from powdery mildew or black measles (esca). The resulting rot can be severe as it progresses beyond the original injury. Masses of black, brown, or green spores develop on the surface of infected berries. Bunch rot often culminates in sour rot, especially in the central and southern San Joaquin Valley. Sour rot is caused by a variety of microorganisms, including acetic acid bacteria, which are spread by vinegar flies attracted to the rotting clusters.

Slip skin of Red Globe grapes is also associated with summer bunch rot organisms. Symptoms include hairline cracks in the berry skin, watery discoloration of berries, and general berry breakdown. Decay continues to develop slowly under cold storage conditions.

MANAGEMENT

Rotting fruit clusters present during veraison are indicative of summer bunch rot. Management of this disease complex is based on reducing injury or damage to the fruit, thus preventing invasion by bunch rot organisms. Basal leaf removal at or after berry set has given excellent control of summer bunch rot in the San Joaquin Valley. In warmer growing areas, be careful not to remove excessive numbers of leaves, which can lead to sunburned fruit. Remove leaves only from the side of the vine that receives afternoon shade. Also, leafhopper populations and damage caused by omnivorous leafroller have been reduced by this cultural practice. Treat at preclose and veraison if summer bunch rot has been a problem in the past.

To reduce growth-related damage to the berries, follow proper irrigation, fertilizer, fruit thinning, and canopy management practices. Prune to achieve vine balance between vegetative growth and cluster number. Also control powdery mildew and damaging populations of omnivorous leafroller and other berry feeders.

In table grapes, look for symptoms of summer rot on fruit during harvest to assess this year's management program and to prepare for next year. Also, note that the presence of VINEGAR FLIES may indicate bunch rot infections.

Common name		Amount/Acre**	R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)			(hours)	(days)
When choosing a pesticide, consider efficacy and the general properties of the fungicide as well as information relating to environmental impact.
Note: Treatments can be made in conjunction with plant growth regulators and other applications.
A.	IPRODIONE
	(Rovral) 4F	1.5–2 lb	48	7
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): Dicarboximide (2)
	COMMENTS: Combinations of iprodione mixed with copper can be effective against summer bunch rot. For tank mixes, observe all directions for use on all labels, and employ the most restrictive limits and precautions. Never exceed the maximum a.i. on any label when tank mixing products that contain the same a.i.
**	Apply with enough water to provide complete coverage.
+	Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
1	Group numbers are assigned by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) according to different modes of actions. Fungicides with a different Group number are suitable to alternate in a resistance management program. For more information, see http://www.frac.info/.

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Photos of fruit damage at harvest

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Grape
UC ANR Publication 3448
Diseases
W. D. Gubler, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
R. J. Smith, UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County
L. G. Varela, UC IPM Program, Sonoma County
S. Vasquez, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County
J. J. Stapleton, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Research Center, Parlier
A. H. Purcell, Environmental Science, Policy and Management, UC Berkeley
Acknowledgment for contributions to Diseases:
G. M. Leavitt, UC Cooperative Extension, Madera County

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