With a shortage of labor crews and heavy rains causing increased water in vineyards, grape growers in California could face higher disease pressure going into this growing season.

“Every single year we’re seeing so many varying weather patterns that it’s becoming more difficult to predict when pest pressure will occur,” said Kate Walker, BASF Technical Service Representative. “Along with this, it’s becoming harder to find labor crews to do the leaf pulling. Both of these factors combined makes planning ahead essential.”

To be as prepared as possible, Walker recommends growers plan out their fungicide programs and be aggressive with them, as it’s far easier to widen the window of application later when pressure is under control rather than playing catch up during the season.

“In order to be fully prepared, growers should assume that each year will have heavy disease pressure and that diseases will occur early,” says Walker. “By establishing a solid plan and having products available, growers can apply them preventatively before diseases develop and spread.”

With the previous year’s issues in mind, Walker notes that the groundwork for powdery mildew has been laid, meaning the disease could strike at any time if the conditions are right. To beat combat powdery mildew, Walker recommends growers use Pristine® fungicide, as Pristine fungicide has proven control of the disease.

“Pristine fungicide is the ideal fungicide for resistance management,” said Walker. “It contains two active ingredients with different modes of action, both of which are effective for control of powdery mildew.”

To learn more about resistance management and Pristine fungicide, contact your local BASF representative or visit GrowSmartGrapes.com.

Always read and follow label directions.

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