Rebuilding damaged vineyards after two years of significant winter injury will be the primary focus of presentations during the 26th annual Viticulture Field Day at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center.
The event begins at 9 a.m. on July 29 with a trade show. It will offer morning and afternoon workshops and a complimentary lunch. After workshops end at 4:30 p.m., participants can attend the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Showcase, followed by a steak cookout.
Topics include fungicide resistance in grape diseases, presented by Annemiek Schilder, MSU associate professor of plant pathology. This research has taken place in Michigan over the past six years.
Schilder will also discuss plant viruses affecting Michigan grapes, particularly grapevine leafroll virus.
“Grape viruses can lower grape yield and quality,” Schilder said. “Some, like tobacco ringspot virus, can kill vines. We’ve done surveys the past five years to determine which of these viruses infect grapes in Michigan.”
Paolo Sabbatini, assistant professor in the MSU Department of Horticulture, will discuss vine canopy management. Sabbatini has been studying the interactions among several viticultural factors, such as physical characteristics of both the fruit and vine, and environmental conditions and their effects on grape quality.
“A primary interest of this research is the interaction of vine balance and crop load dynamics with grape aromas and flavors,” Sabbatini said. “As Michigan continues to evolve as a recognizable wine region, this research will help to implement advanced objective measures to quantify fruit quality that characterizes specific Michigan wine styles.”
Other topics include interplanting for changing grape varieties, irrigation of new vineyards, weed control and strategies to avoid winter injury. Additional information on the event and the registration form can be found online. The event costs $35 per person if registration is postmarked by July 17. Later registrants must pay $45.
The center is located at 1791 Hillandale Road in Benton Harbor.