Grapes

Michigan Grape Industry Research Priorities

Submitted by:
Michigan Grape Society
P.O. Box 151
Baroda, Michigan 49101

  • Mechanization of pruning and shoot positioning (Concord and Niagara).
  • Loosen tight clusters of wine grapes.
  • Phomopsis control, with special emphasis on the Niagara variety.
  • Grape Berry Moth control.
  • Vineyard nutrition practices to maximize production (Concord and Niagara).
  • Maintaining and/or improving the production in older vineyards.
  • Determining the need for and application of post-bloom crop adjustment in Concord vineyards.
  • Developing new methods to more accurately track vineyard maturity progress.
  • Evaluation of new training and trellising systems to maximize production of mature fruit.
  • Evaluation of materials to enhance fruit set.
  • Determining the benefits of irrigation and fertigation in Concord and Niagara vineyards.
  • Methods to improve vine size.
  • Evaluation of Concord clones for improved production.
  • Dormant season control of powdery mildew and other diseases.
  • Evaluation of chemical and mechanical sucker control in vineyards.
  • Continuing  support of  IR-4 research on registering new pesticides for use in grapes.
  • Application of precision agriculture technologies to Concord and Niagara grape production.
  • Production of wine grapes in high tunnels.