Reduce Solar Stress to Improve Wine Grape Yields
Reducing Solar Stress on Wine Grapes
A broad variety of wine grapes are susceptible to heat stress and sunburn. Intense light and heat can devastate a crop: significantly reducing marketable yield and cutting deep into a grower’s profit. Throughout the season, solar extremes (i.e., high temperatures and intense UV radiation) can impact the overall plant health of the vines. In addition, the fruit that is not protected by vine foliage can burn from too much direct sunlight, limiting yields and negatively affecting quality. Using a solar protectant, such as Purshade®, throughout the high heat season can improve overall plant health, protect the fruit from sunburn and boost productivity.
PURSHADE reduces solar stress in crops by protecting the foliage and fruit from damaging ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation while still allowing photosynthesis to occur. Engineered with advanced reflectance technology and based on calcium carbonate, a highly reflective mineral, PURSHADE has been shown to reduce sunburn damage and minimize overall heat stress. Purshade effectively reflects harmful UV and IR radiation away from plants.
Designed with the grower in mind, PURSHADE comes in an easy-to-handle liquid formulation that mixes quickly, applies evenly, is nonabrasive to equipment, and can be removed as required during standard post-harvest processing. The product can be applied with standard spray equipment and in most cases can be incorporated into an existing spray program.* PURSHADE helps maximize the value of every treated acre by reducing solar-related losses, thus increasing marketable yield, enhancing crop quality, and improving water use efficiency.
How Does PURSHADE Work?
PURSHADE plant protectant is available in a flowable suspension concentrate that is mixed with water and then sprayed directly on plant surfaces. Once dry, PURSHADE forms an even film of millions of microscopic “prisms” or mirrors that reflect harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) while not blocking leaf stomata, therefore not impeding photosynthesis. The reflective properties of PURSHADE protect fruit from direct sunburn damage and help prevent heat stress in the entire crop canopy. Keeping plants cooler, while ambient temperatures are extreme, reduces stress and enables the crop to maintain its normal photosynthetic rate longer. When PURSHADE is used during periods of high light and temperature extremes, crops have the solar protection needed to better reach their full potential and use available water resources more efficiently.
Wine grapes, Plymoth, CA, 2008 Purshade applied 6/28 & 7/22/2008 in 100 gpa water by air blast sprayer.
Sunburn damage evaluated 8/26/2008.
Sunburn % was statistically less in the Purshade treated grapes than in the untreated grapes.
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Benefits
- Assists in establishment of young vines under high heat and light
- Improves overall vine health
- Reduces bunch damage caused by direct sun exposure
- Increases overall harvestable yield
- Enhances water use efficiency
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Features
- Reduces damage caused by UV and IR radiation
- Easy-to-use, nonabrasive liquid formulation
- Lowers plant surface temperatures, therefore reduces plant stress and promotes biomass development
- Promotes efficient photosynthesis and does not block stomata
- Tank mixes easily, covers evenly, and can be applied with standard sprayer equipment
- Washes off during standard post-harvest processing
*The compatibility of Purshade with all potential tank mix partners is not knowable. Conduct a jar test first to determine compatibility and consult the product labels of the tank mix partners.
Application Guidelines and Rates
PURSHADE’s liquid formula is designed to mix easily in the tank. The product can be mixed with crop protection products (jar test recommended) and can be applied with typical ground or aerial sprayers using standard nozzles. Standard post-harvest cleaning and washing processes are generally sufficient to remove the PURSHADE product from the surfaces of the fruit.
| APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR WINE GRAPES | ||
| Use | Gallons / Acre | Instructions |
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Apply when berries reach 0.25 inch (6 mm) in diameter (pea-size). A second application is recommended at veraison to maintain adequate coverage of the exposed clusters. If needed, apply a third application 21–28 days later. |
1-1.5 | Apply before conditions of high heat and light occur. Applying after visual sunburn symptoms appear is too late. Reapply as necessary to maintain a uniform white film and to protect new growth. |
| Important: Always read and follow label instructions when using this product. | ||
Use Tips
- Use the amount of water volume per acre needed to achieve uniform spray deposition. Avoid runoff.
- Use fine nozzles and the appropriate tractor speed and pressure to achieve very fine droplets that will not coalesce into larger droplets.
- Apply each application in the opposite direction of the previous application.
- PURSHADE is physically compatible with most crop protection products.
- If compatibility is unknown, perform a jar test before mixing. It is not possible to test every product or combination of products used with PURSHADE. If the effectiveness of a tank mixture is in doubt, apply the materials separately. Do not tank mix with products requiring a neutral or acidic pH, as the alkaline pH of PURSHADE might speed degradation of the other products.
- PURSHADE may be applied in a band spray. Use the recommended rate per acre of PURSHADE in a quantity of water per acre to achieve complete coverage. Adjust the band width and the volume of water based on plant size to achieve uniform coverage.
- Crops that are to be marketed fresh but have a white film of PURSHADE remaining at harvest may be washed. PURSHADE is normally removed with common washing techniques. If the crop is field packed and will not be washed, sprays should be reduced or discontinued in ample time before harvest to allow normal attrition of the film from wind, rain, and plant growth. Consult local experts for more information. Note: When PURSHADE applications are discontinued, the crop will begin to lose its protective coating and sunburn protection will be lost.
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Sun-damaged grapes
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Ideal coverage
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Healthy wine grapes
