Integrated protection of fruit crops

IOBC-WPRS Bulletin Vol. 91, 2013

pp. 101-109

The effect of different leaf removal systems and fungicide

combinations on phytophagous pests and predatory mite populations,
and yield of organic Sultani Cekirdeksiz grape variety
Fatma Özsemerci1, F. Özlem Altindisli1, Fadime Ates2, Ahmet Altindisli3, Cigdem
Takma4
1
Plant Protection Research Station, Genclik Caddesi No.6, 35040 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey;
2
Viticulture Research Station, Horozkoy-Manisa, Turkey; 3Ege U., Fac. Of Agriculture, Dep.
of Horticulture, 35100 Bornova-Izmir, Turkey; 4Ege U., Fac. Of Agriculture, Dep. of
Biometry and Genetics, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

Abstract: The effects of four different leaf removal (removal of 2 leaves at fruit set, removal of 4
leaves at veraison, removal of 6 leaves at fruit set and at beginning of ripening, untreated control) in
combination with two different foliar applications (sulfur or sodium bicarbonate) against powdery
mildew (Erysiphe necator Schwein.) have been investigated in terms of population densities of pests
and predatory mites, and yield and quality of grape in organic and conventional plots between 2005
and 2007. The different levels of leaf removal generally had no significant effect on damage by
European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff.) and predatory mite populations. Only in
2005, lower infestation of L. botrana has occurred in the 2 leaf-removal treatment at fruit set. The
highest populations of grape erineum mite (Colomerus vitis Pgst.) were counted when 6 leaves were
removed at fruit set and at beginning of ripening in 2006. Although any statistical difference has not
been determined among the treatments, population densities of the two-spotted spider mite
(Tetranychus urticae Koch.) in 2005 and 2006, and of grape leafhoppers (Empoasca spp.) in 2006
have been higher in sodium bicarbonate-applied plots than in those treated with sulfur. In Turkey, a
registered plant protection product is unavailable against grape leafhoppers and two-spotted spider
mites in organic agriculture. In some years, they can heavily attack the plants. Natural biological
control needs longer time to suppress these pests. For this reason, it might be logical to recommend
sulfur instead of sodium bicarbonate for the management of powdery mildew, the main disease.
Predatory mites have generally been observed in the plots from late-July or early-August, when sulfur
sprayings against powdery mildew are completed. It has been found that the removal of 6 leaves at
fruit set and veraison has partly increased the yield and quality of Sultani Cekirdeksiz grapes in
organic vineyards. It has been concluded that leaf removal at different phenological stages have not
statistically effected fresh grape yield (kg/vine tree).

Key words: Organic Sultana grape, insect pests, predatory mites, leaf removal, yield, quality

Introduction

Sultani Cekirdeksiz ranks 80% of total area in the Aegean Region, in which the viticulture is
grown in the widest scale with 140,000 ha. Almost 60% of grapes are dried and 90% of
230,000 tons of raisins are exported all over the world, annually (unpublished data of Aegean
Exporters’ Union).
Sultani Cekirdeksiz grape is one of the pioneer crops organically grown in Turkey.
Organic certified vineyards are generally located in Izmir and Manisa Provinces and great part
of grape is exported to European countries as dried. The total amount of organic dried grape
ranks 3.6% of total production (Altindisli, 2004).

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In the Aegean Region the key pest is the European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana
Den. & Schiff.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) (Oncag, 1975; Altindisli et al., 2005). Moreover,
certain secondary pests such as Grape thrips [Rubiothrips vitis (Priesner), Mycterothrips spp.,
Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), Drepanothrips reuteri Uzel, Thrips tabaci Lindeman],
grape leafhoppers (Empoasca spp., Arboridia adanae Dlab), the grape erineum mite
(Colomerus vitis Pgst.), the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and the grape
fruit lecanium (Parthenolecanium corni Bouche) have been recently increasing their
population, requiring complementary treatments (Anonymous, 2011).
Despite the limited number of studies conducted in organic vineyards, some data on
secondary pest and beneficial insect complex are available in Turkey (Altindisli et al., 2000;
Altindisli et al., 2001, Koclu et al., 2005, Altindisli et al., 2009). It was concluded that only
C. vitis caused problems, exceeding economic threshold level among secondary pests when
organic, integrated and conventional growing systems were compared in two vineyards
located in Manisa and Izmir (Altindisli et al., 2001). Population density of predatory mites
was low in organic vineyards in Manisa. It was attributed to the low population density of
preys and frequent sulfur applications until the end of July (Koclu et al., 2005). Green manure
and organic fertilizer (E-2001) combination was regarded as the most suitable treatment in
organic vineyards due to the relatively lower secondary pest and higher predatory mite
populations and profitability in plain conditions of Manisa (Altindisli and Altindisli, 2005).
Organic grape has been graded in higher quality and quantity than conventional grape grown
in plateau conditions of Manisa (Pamuk, 1999).
Sultani Cekirdeksiz, the most common variety in the Aegean Region, has a larger canopy
due to its summer shoots and leaf number compared with other varieties. Hence, training and
canopy management differ from other table and wine grape varieties (Altindisli and Ilter,
2007). Summer pruning is strongly advised to ensure grape quality, to enhance pesticide
efficiency and to improve inner canopy conditions against disease occurrence, by removing
barren shoots and mature leaves.
In this research, effects of eight combinations including four different leaf removal and
two fungicides (sulfur or sodium bicarbonate) applied against Powdery mildew (Erysiphe
necator) are discussed in terms of population densities of pests and predatory mites, and of
yield and quality of grape in organic and conventional plots.

Material and methods

Experimental design
The experiment was conducted in a 10 years-old Sultani Cekirdeksiz vineyard in Manisa-
Alasehir, designing as split-plot in randomized blocks with three replications between the
2005 and 2007. Four different treatments (removal of 2 leaves at fruit set, removal of 4 leaves
at veraison, removal of 6 leaves at fruit set and veraison, untreated control) were combined
with foliar applications of sulfur or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) against E. necator to have
a total of eight treatments in the experimental design. Each replication consisted of 10 vine
trees. One row between each application was not evaluated to eliminate the border effect.

Effect of different leaf removal and fungicide combinations on phytophagous pests and
predatory mites
Forecasting method has been utilized as a decision tool for the timing of sprayings against
L. botrana, if necessary. Damage rates of L. botrana were determined and compared in every
treatment at harvest (Anonymous, 2012, Altındişli et al., 2001). Population densities of
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secondary pests and predatory mites have been assessed by sampling 10 leaves per plot from
May until early September, fortnightly. The total number of secondary pests and predatory
mites per leaf were submitted to variance analysis, and LSD test was used to determine
differences among treatments.

Effect of different leaf removal and fungicide combinations on fresh grape yield
Average yield was calculated by weighing grapes per vine tree. Quality parameters were used.
All treatments were also compared to the results obtained in conventional plot. Organic grape
yield was compared to in-conversion grape yield. Data have been exposed to SAS (Windows
version 6.12) program.

Results and discussion

The vineyard completed its in-conversion process between 2003 and 2005. Organic grapes
were harvested on 25.08.2006 and 06.09.2007.

Effect of different leaf removal and fungicide combinations on phytophagous pests and
predatory mites
Table 1 includes information about active ingredients and application numbers applied to
L. botrana from 2005 to 2007, whereas Table 2 shows average damage rates of the pest
determined in organic and conventional plots at harvest time in the three years (22.08.2005,
25.08.2006 and 21.08.2007). Sulfur (80% WP, 400 g/100 l water) and sodium bicarbonate
(2000 g/100 l water) were applied in organic plots against powdery mildew (E. necator) when
shoots were 20-25 cm in length. The applications were repeated four times with 15 d-intervals
from fruit set until maturation. In conventional plot, sulfur (80% WP), folpet (70%) +
triadimenol (1.5 %) and quinoxyfen (200 g/l) + fenarimol (60 g/l) have been applied against
the fungus.

Table 1. Active ingredients and application numbers against Lobesia botrana (Den. & Schiff.)
in organic and conventional plots in Manisa-Alasehir in 2005, 2006 and 2007

Year Organic Conventional

2005 spinosad (5) phosalone (3)+ spinosad (2)
2006 Bacillus thuringiensis (4)+spinosad (1) Phosalone (1)+l.-cyhalothrin (2)+spinosad (2)
2007 Bacillus thuringiensis (4) spinosad (4)

In general, a significant effect of different leaf removal applications has not been
determined regarding damage rate of L. botrana and predatory mite populations. Only in
2005, lower infestation of L. botrana has occurred in the treatment of 2 leaf-removal at fruit
set. The highest populations of grape erineum mite (C. vitis) were counted in the treatments
where leaves were removed at fruit set and veraison in 2006 (Table 3). Although a statistical
difference has not been determined among the treatments, population densities of the two-
spotted spider mite (T. urticae) in 2005 and 2006, and grape leafhoppers (Empoasca spp.) in
2006 have been higher in sodium bicarbonate-applied plots than in those including sulfur
sprayings (Table 4). In 2007, population density of thrips in conventional has been
statistically higher than sulfur and sodium bicarbonate applied treatments.
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Table 2. Average damage rates of Lobesia botrana (Den. & Schiff.) in organic and
conventional plots at harvest in Manisa-Alasehir in 2005, 2006 and 2007

Leaf Removal Treatment Combined with 2005 2006 2007

sulfur 0.07 0.35 0.03
2 leaves at fruit set
sodium bicarbonate 0.04 0.18 0.05
sulfur 0.3 0.9 0.37
4 leaves at veraison
sodium bicarbonate 0.22 0.39 0.04
sulfur 0.11 0.18 0.15
6 leaves at fruit set and veraison
sodium bicarbonate 0.12 0.25 0.12
sulfur 0.08 0.14 0.16
Untreated control
sodium bicarbonate 0.12 0.72 0
Conventional 2.96 0.14 0.13

Generally, predatory mites have not been determined in the plots until mid-July since
sulfur sprayings has continued against powdery mildew. Predatory mites have been firstly
observed in the plots from late-July or early-August.

Effect of different leaf removal on fresh grape yield

It was determined that leaf removals at different stages have affected fresh grape yield in
2003. As expected, the highest yield was obtained from the conventional plot (12.03 ± 4.18a
kg/vine tree), whereas the lowest yield was found in untreated control (5.87 ± 0.55b kg/vine
tree) (Table 5).
With the exception of first year-results, we found that leaf removals at different stages
did not affect fresh grape yield of in-conversion and organic phases in the experimental
vineyard (Table 5).
On the other hand, fresh grape yield increased in all leaf removal treatments in 2007 with
the highest rate (106%) when 6 leaves were removed at fruit set and veraison and the lowest
rate (24%) in conventional when compared to the results in 2003.

Effect of different leaf removal and fungicide combinations on fresh grape yield
We found that leaf removal at different phenological stages combined with sulfur or sodium
bicarbonate did not affect fresh grape yield of in-conversion and organic phases (Table 6).
Increase in yield showed similarity to the findings by Akyüz et al. (1997) and Pamuk
(1999). Moreover, average yield amounts resemble the average yield recorded in the Aegean
Region for years (Ilter, 1980; Ilhan et al. 1991; Ilhan et al., 1992; Erdem et al., 1995; Yılmaz
et al., 1997; Altındişli and Kısmalı, 1998; Çelik et al., 1998; Ilgın et al., 2005).
It has been found that the removal of 6 leaves at fruit set and veraison has partly
increased the yield and quality of Sultani Cekirdeksiz grapes in organic vineyards.
It is too difficult to draw a conclusion on the most suitable combination of leaf removal
and fungicide option owing to changing results on pest and predatory complex. However, it
has been noticed that the population levels of insect pests such as leafhoppers and mites
feeding on grape leaves have been generally higher in sodium bicarbonate-treated plots than
those of sulfur-treated plots in some years of the study. In Turkey, a registered plant
protection product is unavailable against grape leafhoppers and two-spotted spider mites in
organic agriculture. In some years, they can heavily attack the plants. Natural biological
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control needs longer time to suppress these pests. For this reason, it might be logical to
recommend sulfur instead of sodium bicarbonate for the management of powdery mildew, the
main disease.

Table 3. Effect of different leaf removal and fungicide interaction on insect pests and
predatory mites in Manisa-Alaşehir

2006
Factor A (Leaf Removal) x Factor B (Fungicide) GEM* EFL*
Sulfur 5.360 abcd 0.797 cd
2 leaves at fruit set
Sodium bicarbonate 4.310 bcdef 0.710 d
Sulfur 6.737 ab 0.877 abc
4 leaves at veraison
Sodium bicarbonate 5.080 abcde 0.867 bc
6 leaves at fruit set + Sulfur 5.400 abc 0.870 bc
veraison Sodium bicarbonate 7.707 a 0.933 abc
Sulfur 1.363 fg 0.710 d
Untreated control
Sodium bicarbonate 0.710 g 0.983 ab
Conventional 1.363 1.363 fg
LSD (GEM: 0.01; EFL: 0.05) 3.296 0.146

* Total number of GEM (grape erineum mite) and EFL (European fruit lecanium)/leaf with common
letters do not differ significantly.
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