Bud Dissection Q&A

Hi, 

I am curious about looking at grapevine buds under the microscope. Could you also please let me know how many buds you can dissect in an hour, as I have a uni project to do on yield analysis and the number would be of assistance.

Many thanks, Andrew

Dear Andrew,

Almost anyone can learn to dissect buds, but not everyone has the patience to sit down and complete many samples. We use a compound microscope with to eye lenses that give a stereoscopic view of the inside of the bud.  This allows us to assess the internal bud structure and look at the inflorescence primordia which are the structures that develop into grapevine flowers.

Bud Dissection.

We would average two to three buds a minute, therefore it takes us between one and one and half hours to complete a vineyard (30x; 5x bud canes).  We would generally limit ourselves to three vineyards per day to keep our eyes fresh.

 

The time it takes to dissect buds under a microscope varies from variety to variety. Sauvignon Blanc has small buds and small inflorescences which make it the slowest variety to assess. Grenache has large buds and large inflorescences which are the quickest to assess.

Low bud fruitfulness and high primary bud necrosis is linked to vigourous vineyards.

 

Internal bud structure.

We perform dissections to look for low fruitfulness and assess the level of primary bud necrosis.

If we find problems with fruitfulness eg. levels below 1 bunch per bud (inflorescence primordia per bud), or high levels of bud death from primary bud necrosis, we advise growers to change their pruning in the short term and look at their management in the long term.

It is when you find blocks like these bud dissections come into their own as a vineyard tool.

DJ's agronomist Matthew Wilson says,  

"Vineyards with high levels of lateral shoot growth can show low levels of fruitfulness. Primary bud necrosis is often common in vigorous vines and this is contributing to low fruitfulness. If you can catch this before pruning you can take action to prevent correspondingly low yields at harvest."

Primary Bud Necrosis (PBN) note how the centre bud has died but the two secondary buds are viable. This would indicate that secondary buds will burst in place of the larger primary bud.

For more information refer to bud dissection and primary bud necrosis.

Vineyard Update: Grapevine fungal diseases in 2016/17

James Hook on fungal disease identification. Vintage 2017. 

Downy Mildew explained in less than 5 minutes.

James Hook explains a Downy Mildew Primary Event 10:10:24 event in laypersons terms.

Rust Mite Spray Timings

Rust Mite levels were seen to be significant in some vineyards last season. Rust mite are microscopic mites that enter into grapevine buds during early spring and affect the growth of early season shoots.

The significant level of Rust Mite’s last spring has made us re-think our recommendation regarding Rust Mite control. It is likely that a high percentage of vineyards monitored last season will benefit from a controlling sulphur spray.

We have been advising our clients regarding whether they should apply a controlling sulphur spray, or not for this season. If you would like specific advise please contact DJ’s.

Recommendations for prevention of Rust Mite symptoms are:

Rust Mite symptoms in spring. Stunted & uneven shoot growth.

• Application of wettable sulphur @ 500g/100lt (include non ionic wetter at label rate if not adding oil).

• Water rates of 600 – 900 lt of water per hectare - do not use less than 500 lt/ha

- increased water rate should be used if worried about coverage.

• Make sure coverage of the cordon and all spur wood is thorough.

• Inclusion of Canola oil or Mineral oil at 2% (2lt per 100 lt) may improve control (10-15%) but should only be applied if the variety being sprayed is fully dormant (eg. Cabernet). Need to be aware that some Canola oils may contain GMO’s.

• A period of 2-3 fine days and 15 degrees C or higher on the day of spraying is ideal.

• Chardonnay is the indicator variety for timing of spraying in each region. Spraying should be done on all varieties when Chardonnay reaches 10% green tip (ie most buds woolly bud). Look for services like McLaren Vale CropWatch to advise of this timing.

McLaren Vale - Valley Floor.

Our feelings are that spraying should occur from the last week of August to the end of the second week of September on all varieties/blocks that require rust mite treatment.

Currency Creek.

Spraying should occur from the last week of August to the end of the second week of September on all varieties/blocks that require rust mite treatment.

Blewitt Springs & Clarendon.

Spraying should occur from the first week of September to the end of the third week of September on all varieties/blocks that require rust mite treatment.

Adelaide Hills.

Mid-September through to the end of September. To get ideal timing find a block of Chardonnay in within your mesoclimate for exact timing.