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Organic Grapes Farming, Growing Practices

Introduction to organic Grapes farming

Grapes belonging to the Vitaceae family and it is one of the world’s most widely grown fruit crops in
relatively warm temperate-zone climates. Some have edible seeds while others are seedless. It is a
major and popular fruit of India. Colored seedless Grapes attracted the consumers in a better way in
recent years and farmers are also reaping handsome profit due to modern crop management
practices. This organic Grape farming is an outline of cultural practices and pest management
practices and that have an impact on improving plant health and reducing pest problems. Organic
farming practices create well-balanced soil, which makes for strong, healthy plants with delicious
Grapefruit. In addition to the flavor benefits, you can rest assured that the Grapes have been grown
and handled without persistent toxic chemicals.

A step by step guide to organic Grapes farming

Organic farming is a crop production technique respecting the rules of nature. It maximizes the use of
farm resources and also minimizes the use of off-farm resources. It is a system that seeks to avoid the
use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In organic farming, the entire system that means plant,
animal, soil, water, and micro-organisms are to be protected.

A guide to organic Grapes farming.

An organic farm plan is central to the certification process and the plan describes production,
handling, and record-keeping systems, and demonstrates to certifiers an understanding of organic
practices for a crop. The process of developing the farm plan can be valuable in terms of anticipating
potential issues and fosters thinking of the farm as a whole system. Soil, nutrient, pest, and weed
management are all interrelated on organic farms and should be managed in concert for success.

Organic soil requirement for Grapes farming

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Grapes are found growing on a variety of soil type and best soil for Grapes would be well-drained loam
to sandy loam with good organic matter. Though Grape can adapt to a variety of soils, it grows and
performs best in deep medium-textured soils (loams and sandy loams) with good drainage and low
salt content. Salinity is the main hindrance to the development of Grapes. It grows well in soils with a
pH level range of 6.5 to 7.5.

All types of Grapes need a warm planting site with full sun and moderate water. Consult with a nursery
professional to choose a variety that will do well in your area. The soil at the planting site must be
loose, rich, and deep. The roots of Grapevines go deep into the earth and amend to a depth of about
24 to 36 inches with good organic compost or well-rotted animal manure to improve existing soil.

Healthy soil is the basis of organic Grape farming. Regular additions of organic matter in the form of
cover crops, compost, and manure make a biologically active soil, with good structure. Then,
decomposing plant materials will support a diverse pool of microbes, including those that break down
organic matter into plant-available nutrients with others that compete with plant pathogens in the soil.
The practice of crop rotation to promote a healthy soil must be done in the one or two years before
vineyard establishment or is limited to row middles in a perennial crop such as Grapes. Organic
growers should attend to the connection between soil, nutrients, pests, and weeds to succeed.

Site selection for organic Grape farming

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Site selection for organic Grape farming.

For organic Grape production, the importance of selecting proper site selection cannot be over-
emphasized. Grapes are a perennial crop, meaning decisions made on selecting site and improvement
before planting will impact all aspects of production for years to come. Once a vineyard is planted it is
very difficult to make major changes to improve soil and air drainage, or to soil tilth, pH level, or
nutrient status. Improving soil structure and eliminating soil compaction layers in an established
vineyard rarely proves successful. Consider that an ideal vineyard soil must have three feet or more of
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rooting depth and be well-drained and conduct needed site improvements before vineyard
establishment. Weather plays a main role in vineyard site selection, as well. The macroclimate,
mesoclimate, and microclimate of a vineyard site play important roles in plant variety selection. Of
particular importance is the length of the growing season, growing season heat accumulation, the
potential for spring frosts and winter minimum temperature levels.

The spacing of Grapes plants under organic farming

Plant spacing varies with variety and soil fertility. Generally, under organic Grapes cultivation, the
spacing of 2.5 m x 1.5 m, 2.75 m x 1.50 m, and 3.0 m x 1.5 m are followed. For this model scheme, a
spacing of about 2.75 m x 1.50 m with a plant population of 2425 plants/ha is considered.

Grapes plant propagation

In India, all the Grape cultivars are propagated by cuttings. For this purpose, hardwood cuttings from
1-year-old shoots are prepared. Only healthy cuttings must be planted for rooting purposes to get
healthy vines for planting. Cuttings must be prepared from the pruning wood during January.

Grapes plant propagation.

Application of organic manure and fertilizers for Grapes farming

As vineyard soils are sandy loams or heavy clays, the usage of organic manure has assumed high
importance in India. A standard dose of about 500:500:1000 kg of N, P2O5, and K2O per hectare is
followed in light sandy soils, while 660:880:660 kg are applied for heavy clay soils. Then, the annual
dose is fixed based on the petiole analysis carried out at 45 days after spur pruning. Though 40
percent of the annual dose is given through organic sources, 60 percent is given as inorganic fertilizer.
Calcium ammonium nitrate is not used. Sulfate of potash is the only source of potash used in place of
muriate, mainly in heavy clay soils. Recently the application of soluble fertilizers through the drip
irrigation system is picking up. About 40 percent of N, 50 percent of P2O5, and 33 percent of K2O of
the annual dose is given during the growing season and the rest in the fruiting season.

Nutrient management in the organic Grapes farming

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To produce a healthy crop, soluble nutrients should be available from the soil in amounts that meet
the minimum requirements for the whole plant. The challenge in organic systems is balancing soil
fertility to supply required plant nutrients at a time and at sufficient levels to support healthy growth.
Restrictions in any one of the needed nutrients will slow growth and can reduce crop quality and crop
yields.

Organic growers speak of feeding the soil rather than feeding the plant. A more accurate statement is
that organic growers focus their fertility program on feeding organic soil microorganisms rather than
the plant. Then, soil microbes decompose organic matter to release nutrients and convert organic
matter to more stable forms such as humus. This breakdown of soil organic matter occurs throughout
the growing season, mainly depending on soil temperatures, water availability, and soil quality. The
released nutrients are then held on soil particles or humus making them available to crops or cover
crops for Grapes plant growth. Amending soils with compost, cover crops, and crop residues provides
a food source for soil microorganisms and when turned into the soil, starts the nutrient cycle again.

In vineyards, the key considerations when managing vine nutrition organically include filling the trellis
without promoting excess vine vigor, meeting crop demand, managing soil pH level to optimize the
potassium and magnesium balance, understanding carbon to nitrogen ratios in compost, and
selecting good rootstocks.

How to plant Grapes organically

Grape plants grow easily from cuttings and select a healthy stem about 2 feet long with at least 4 buds.
Then, place the cutting in a fast-draining, sandy soil in a location with full sun. Two buds must be below
the ground and two above. The bottom half of the cutting must be dipped in rooting hormone. Early
spring is the best time to plant from cuttings.

Plant from nursery stock by digging a hole as deep as the container. Before planting, soak the roots in
compost tea for 20 minutes and dust roots with a mixture of about 2 cups of kelp meal and 1 cup of
bone meal. When planting, the top 1 inch of the root ball sits above the surface to prevent sucker
growth from the graft. Space the Grapes plants 6 to 8 feet apart. Water young vines for the first two
years during the summer season. Then, water deeply and infrequently to encourage strong, deep
roots.

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Provide support for mature Grapevines in the form of a trellis. Grapevines can be trained to cover
arbors and gazebos. Then, apply organic fertilizers rich in nitrogen two weeks after planting. Reapply
annually in early spring right before growth starts and do not apply nitrogen later in the season as it
will delay ripening, inhibit coloring and create a tender, late-season growth that will be damaged in the
winter. Four to six inches of mulch can be applied to help control weeds and conserve soil moisture.

Pruning technique for Grapes

Removal of any vegetative part in a vine is known as pruning. It is a critical operation in Grape
cultivation. Therefore much care and precision need to be exercised in pruning a Grapevine. The main
objective of pruning Grapevine is to increase productivity, operations, and maintain the desired
Grapevine framework and vitality of the vine for consistent productivity. In the organic Grape
cultivation, the Grapevines are forced to undergo rest for about a month immediately after harvest.

This helps in storing the food material in the mature parts of the Grapevine. The canes are cut back in
April by keeping 1 to 2 buds which develop into canes in 4-5 months. The removal of dried canes is
known as ‘back pruning’ or ‘growth pruning’. In the month of September-October, these canes are
pruned for Grape fruiting. This pruning is known as ‘forward pruning’ or ‘winter pruning’. Vines, which
have attained the age of 1 year, can be subjected to this pruning.

The cost of organic Grapes

The Cost of organic Grapes is approximately Rs 100/Kilogram

Organic manuring for Grapes farming

Manuring is done by applying FYM  (farmyard manure) at a rate of 55 tonnes/hectare. Biofertilizers
such as Azatobacter, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Effective Microorganism (EM), Neem cake,
and Vermiwash are being used to supplement the nutrient requirement of the crop. Trichoderma,
Azatobacter, and PSB are applied at the rate of about 25 grams/plant. Neem cake is applied at the rate
of 1.25 tonnes/hectare and Jeevamrut is prepared by adding 10 kg cow dung, 5 liters cow urine, 2 kg
black Jaggery, 2 kg ground pulses powder, a handful of bund soil in 200 liters of water. The solution is
kept for about 2 to 7 days in the shade for fermentation. During the fermentation, the solution is
stirred daily, and to improve the quality of Grapes, a solution of sugar, humic acid, and coconut water
is sprayed at the bud development stage.

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Methods of pests and disease control in the organic Grapes farming

An organic disease management strategy recognizes the limitations of organic spray products.
Although some of these may play a significant role in the management of certain specific diseases,
organic pesticides must be viewed as secondary supplements to a primary disease management
program founded on four basic pillars;

(1) Site selection;

(2) Variety selection;

(3) Canopy management; and

(4) Sanitation

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When these cultural tools are not implemented effectively, an organic grower cannot compensate for
the omission by simply applying organic sprays, as growers with access to highly effective conventional
fungicides often can.

Diseases are the major challenge in organic viticulture because few products are available to reduce
their occurrence. Growers have few products and have to use copper repeatedly, which can lead to
other problems such as soil build-up. Also, the small amount of registered products makes it difficult
to alternate products to reduce disease resistance to fungicides. The grower must use a combination
of methods to reduce the occurrence of diseases, for example, to perform an efficient lifting and leaf
removal of the cluster zone that allows aeration of the clusters.

Grape plants are susceptible to a large number of insect and disease pests. Choose disease-tolerant
cultivars when possible and utilize good sanitation practices. Monitor Grape vines closely and if
problems occur, treat early with organic pest solutions. Birds can be a major pest and the only sure
method of protection is placing garden netting over the vines as soon as the fruit begins to ripen.

Cane girdlers

Adult Beetles come into vineyards when new shoots are about 1 foot long. Eggs are laid inside shoots
about 6 inches from tips and larvae tunnel inside shoots, destroying them.

Cure – Inspect canes and cut off about 4 inches below the girdling area.

Grape berry moths

Moth larvae feed inside fruits and Grapes are often webbed together. Wormy fruits result.

Cure – Set out pheromone traps to know when to spray using organic Bacillus thuringiensis var.
kurstaki.

Leaf rollers; left tiers

Larvae of moths feed on the foliage of new shoots and chewing them badly. They may feed on fruits.

Cure – Spray with organic neem in early summer and repeat 2 weeks later.

Rose chafers, Japanese beetles and oriental beetles

Adult beetles feed heavily on foliage during the day, causing severe skeletonizing of plant leaves.

Cure – Handpick adult beetles and spray vines with organic neem to deter beetles from feeding. Place
pheromone traps downwind away from the Grapevines.

Black rot

Fungus attacks plant leaves in early summer and later appear on fruits that are half grown. Then,
entire Grape shrivels to dry, black, raisin-like fruit.

Cure – Infection occurs during the bloom period. Apply copper spray just before bloom, after bloom,
and every about 10 to 14 days thereafter up to early fall. Remove mummified fruit and destroy.

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Dead arm

The fungus is one of most destructive of all Grape diseases, first attacks plant leaves and canes; later it
infects young shoots. The dead arm phase results from infection through wounds caused by plant
pruning.

Cure – Remove infected Grapevine at ground level during winter pruning. Spray with Bordeaux
mixture when new shoots are about 3 cm long and again when they are 12 cm long.

Powdery mildew

Mildew occurs on foliage in early summer and fall, producing white powdery growth on plant leaves
and fruits.

Cure – Organic sulfur sprays must be applied as needed.

Grapes harvesting
Harvesting period for Grapes, normally starts 30-70 days after fruit set, by the time berries change
color from green to yellow (for white varieties), or red-purple (for red varieties). During this stage, we
have an increase in sugars and a decrease in acids inside the fruits.

Organic Grape sale price

The farmers realize a sale price ranging Rs. 10000/t to Rs. 15000/t of organic Grape based on export or
domestic markets, a conservative estimate of about Rs. 12000/t is considered for this model.

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Table of Contents
1 A step by step guide to organic Grapes farming
1.1 Organic soil requirement for Grapes farming
1.2 Site selection for organic Grape farming
1.3 The spacing of Grapes plants under organic farming
1.4 Grapes plant propagation
1.5 Application of organic manure and fertilizers for Grapes farming
1.6 Nutrient management in the organic Grapes farming
1.7 How to plant Grapes organically
1.8 Pruning technique for Grapes
1.9 The cost of organic Grapes
1.10 Organic manuring for Grapes farming
1.11 Methods of pests and disease control in the organic Grapes farming
1.12 Grapes harvesting
1.13 Organic Grape sale price

Author: admin@agrifarming.in

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