2 September 2024
With budburst upon us in a number of wine regions, it is a good time to reflect on some of the key factors that support safe and effective vineyard spray practices for pest, disease and weed control.
Chemical selection
Limit agrochemical application in your vineyard to only those active ingredients and products registered for use on grapevines. You can find full list of registered agrochemical active ingredients, those which are recommended for use in vineyards and a range of associated products containing these actives, in the ‘Dog book’.
Chemical labels
Agrochemical labels are legal documents that must be observed. Always follow the label recommended application rates; personal protective equipment and safety requirements; spray drift restrictions including buffer zones, wind speed and temperature inversions; grazing restrictions; re-entry periods; and storage and disposal requirements.
Labels also include withholding periods (WHPs) relevant to the sale of wine domestically in Australia. The ‘Dog book’ WHP recommendations assume wine will be sent to a range of overseas markets, each with differing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for chemical active ingredients. If your grapes are destined for wine which is only sold in Australia, or to only a few countries, contact the AWRI to discuss how the WHP recommendations might differ. The AWRI can also provide advice regarding the persistence of chemicals on grapes or through winemaking. MRLs for most major export destinations can be found in the AWRI’s MRL database.
Chemical application
Effective chemical control is dependent on the appropriate product, timing, dosage and coverage. A number of fact sheets on spray application are available from the spray application page of the AWRI website. Key points to consider include:
- Spray drift – monitor weather conditions before and during spraying to minimise off-target application. Practical tips for spraying can be found in this video.
- Safety – all staff who handle and apply agrochemicals should be adequately trained to perform the task safely. Refer to your state regulations for chemical accreditation and requirements.
- Disposal – recycle used and eligible Australian agricultural and veterinary chemical containers through the national drumMuster program. Dispose of unused or obsolete chemicals responsibly through the ChemClear program.
Chemical record-keeping
Records of use of agricultural chemical products in vineyards are required by law. Details of agrochemical applications must be kept for a minimum of two years from the date of use.
The AWRI, in collaboration with industry, developed a spray diary format and set of terminology that meets basic winery requirements. However, it is recommended that growers follow applicable state or territory rules for record-keeping and check requirements with individual winery or grape purchasers prior to the commencement of the spray season.
Chemical resistance management
To ensure longevity and efficacy of vineyard chemicals, be mindful of rotating chemical actives. To better understand chemical resistance and how it occurs, read CropLife Australia’s recommended chemical resistance management strategies, refer to pages 15 – 18 of the ‘Dog book’ and the AWRI fact sheet on managing chemical resistance in the vineyard.
For more information on spray application or any other grape and wine technical issues, please contact the AWRI helpdesk on (08) 8313 6600 or email helpdesk@awri.com.au.
Acknowledgements
The AWRI’s eBulletin is supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government. The AWRI is a member of the Wine Innovation Cluster in Adelaide, South Australia.