Listen in as we engage in a riveting conversation with two remarkable experts, Dr. Megan Hall and Dr. Mizuho Nita, about sour rot, a challenging disease that can significantly impact winegrapes. Through this discussion, we gain a deeper understanding of sour rot, exploring how to identify it, why and how it occurs, and the various organisms and insects involved. Megan shares her unique insights and invaluable experience in managing sour rot in grapes. We also delve into her ground-breaking research on the disease and offer practical advice on how to prevent it in vineyards.

We also discuss control strategies for sour rot disease, highlighting the importance of timely spraying before symptom development. Megan and Mizuho share their collective wisdom on the three primary contributors to sour rot. They then shed light on their research findings regarding the best combination of antimicrobial plus insecticide sprays.

Additionally, Mizuho shares his expertise on alternative options to oxidate, such as bio fungicides, which could potentially reduce the impact on fermentation. As always, we ensure to wrap up the conversation by sharing valuable resources for our listeners, equipping grape growers with the knowledge needed to manage this challenging disease.

In this episode, you will hear:

Why and how sour rot occurs.
The signs and symptoms of sour rot.
The role that insects & microorganisms play in causing and spreading sour rot.
What cultural practices play a role in prevention.
Alternative products for preventing and treating sour rot.
The importance of proper spray timing and planning to prevent resistance development from over-spraying.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, use the Ask Fritz button at VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com.
Access free Virtual Viticulture Academy Grower Guide videos and how-to-guides. Or take your grape growing knowledge to the next level with an annual Virtual Viticulture Academy membership – use the code Underground to save $75 on your first year of membership.

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Megan Hall holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology from Cornell University and an M.A. from York University in Sociology and Law.

Megan spent seven years on a groundbreaking research project focused on the causes of sour rot. Prior to this research, growers’ tools for managing sour rot were limited because the causal organisms of the disease were unknown. Following this research, Megan served as an Assistant Research Professor and Viticulture Program Leader at the University of Missouri before joining E. & J. Gallo Winery as a Research Scientist in the Winegrowing Research division.

She now works as an independent research-based scientific consultant specializing in agriculture and fermentation with Terroir Consulting Group.

Connect with Megan:

Email: megan@terroirconsultinggroup.com
Terroir Consulting Group: https://www.terroirconsultinggroup.com

Dr. Mizuho Nita holds both a Ph.D. and M.S. in Plant Pathology from Ohio State.

He is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist of grape pathology at Virginia Tech’s Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester, VA. He also serves as a Specially Appointed Associate Professor at Shinshu University in Japan.

His academic interest is in the areas of applied plant pathology and plant disease epidemiology. His current research projects include:

Use of a biological control agent for grapevine crown gall
Management of grape-ripe rot
Epidemiological studies of grapevine leafroll-associated virus and its vectors
Grape disease management tool (GrapeIPM.org)
Trunk diseases
Organic and alternative fungicides

Mizuho provides loads of helpful information and research data via his blog, including the Sour Rot Trial he mentions during the podcast.

Learn more about GRAPEIPM.ORG - An online system to help you keep track of fungicide inventory, spray scheduling, share the schedule, and keep and print records of actual spray application.

Connect with Mizuho:

Email: nita24@vt.edu
Website: https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/alson-h-smith/people/nita-bio.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrapePathVATech

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.