News from Cornell's Viticulture and Enology Program, May 2019
RESEARCH FOCUS
How radical manipulation of sources and sinks affected Riesling yield, bud hardiness, and return crop
In 2017, we defoliated, defruited, and severely pruned mature Riesling vines to radically alter source/sink relationships. Here's what we learned.
EXTENSION FOCUS
The positive impacts of NEWA for grape producers
The NEWA decision support system has been functional since 2007, and a 2017 survey shows positive impacts for grape growers in terms of reducing sprays, avoiding crop loss, and more.
FACULTY FOCUS
Five Questions for Jennifer Russo
Jennifer Russo was recently appointed viticulture specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Lake Erie Regional Grape Program, and previously was a research technician for the Efficient Viticulture project.
STUDENT FOCUS
Elizabeth Cieniewicz: From summer scholar to red blotch scholar
Elizabeth came to Cornell AgriTech in the undergraduate summer scholars program, and returned to pursue her PhD. Her recently-completed PhD project with Marc Fuchs is providing new insights on Red Blotch virus management.
GRAPES 101
How important are grapevine trunk diseases in New York?
Trunk diseases can lead to blind buds, dead cordons or ‘dead arm’, reduced vigor, and ultimately missing vines. They've been receiving a lot of attention in other growing regions. How important are they here?
RESEARCH IN PLAIN ENGLISH
A rapid, sensitive and inexpensive method for detection of grapevine red blotch virus
Detecting red blotch virus in a vineyard is now possible using a new technique called “Loop-mediated isothermal amplification” (LAMP), a simplified testing method that doesn’t require DNA extraction, costs less than a dollar per sample, and can be completed within an hour.
Construction of a high-density linkage map and QTL detection of downy mildew resistance in Vitis aestivalis-derived ‘Norton’
By combining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and simple sequence repeats (SSR)markers, a genetic locus was found that contributes 34% of the phenotypic variance in Norton-derived grapevines’ resistance to downy mildew.
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 16 - 18, Shaulis Symposium and Vineyard Demonstration tour at ASEV-ES focus on Digital Viticulture
New sensors, GIS mapping, and variable rate equipment will allow growers to manage individual areas within vineyards differently. The field tour (July 17) and Nelson J Shaulis Symposium (July 18) will address how to evaluate and integrate these tools for improving vineyard management and profitability.
NEWS BRIEFS
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UV light may be ripe to replace chemicals in fungal fight
A team led by David Gadoury is researching the use of UV light as a method to kill powdery mildew, providing a novel tool for managing the disease. -
Cornell AgriTech welcomes Katie Gold as future grape pathologist
Dr. Katie Gold will arrive at Cornell Agritech in February 2020 to begin her new position as assistant professor of grape disease ecology and epidemiology. -
NEWA Announces Partnership with Onset Corporation
HOBO weather station data can now be integrated with NEWA's decision support system tools. -
Sign up for eNEWA – grape disease and insect pest email notifications
Back by popular demand, you can sign up for daily email notifications based on the NEWA decision support system, tailored specifically to your needs. -
How computers are being used to hack grapes
This Wine Enthusiast article highlights use of DNA sequencing and genetic markers to make more efficient grape breeding decisions as part of the USDA funded VitisGen2 project led by Bruce Reisch and Lance Cadle-Davidson. -
Cathy Young: A vision of excellence for the NY food and agriculture economy
Cathy Young, newly-appointed director of The Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech, shares her vision on the future of the center, and how it will integrate with existing researchers and companies.
FEATURED VIDEO
Scheid Shoot Thinning Demo - LERGP Podcast #115. This video shows a demonstration of variable rate mechanical shoot thinning in a California Central Coast Pinot Noir vineyard. There is also a second video in the series -- Lodi Gallo Shoot Thinning Demo.