Nova Scotia Grape Blog: Quick Weather and Phenology Update

Hello Dear Growers!

As promised, here are the updates from Kentville Research Centre and phenology updates for Bear River.

PRECIPTATION:

Month	25-Year Average (mm)	Current Year (mm)
April	81.9	93.7
May	74.0	88.6
June	98.7	44.5**
July	85.9
August	91.1
September	98.8
October	115.8

**Up to June 11, 2025

BEAR RIVER AREA PHENOLOGY:

-Marquette - 8 leaves open; 19-20cm shoot length

-Frontenac Blanc - 8 leaves open; 18-20cm shoot length

-Lucie K - 7 leaves open; 17-20cm shoot length

-L'Acadie - 6 leaves open; 14cm-20cm shoot length

-Frontenac Red - 7 leaves open; 17cm -20cm shoot length

-Frontenac Gris - 6 leaves open; 16cm -20cm shoot length.

PEST MANAGEMENT:

We have had a rainy start to the season. If your site has been prone to Downy Mildew and Black Rot issues in the past, please start scouting. Managing these two diseases earlier in the season will help prevent more serious issues later in the season.

What are we currently seeing?

Phomopsis.

Phomopsis cane and leafspot appears as tiny dark spots with yellowish margins on leaf blades and veins. Spots first show 3 to 4 weeks following rain. Leaf death may occur if large numbers of spots build up. Basal leaves with heavy infection become distorted and usually never develop to full size. On shoots, small spots with black centers similar to those found on leaves occur usually on a basal portion of the shoot.

Infection: Phomopsis is a fungal disease. Infections generally occur when shoots begin to grow. Spores are released in large quantities from the overwintering pycnidia on diseased canes and spurs. These are splashed by rain onto early developing shoots and infection occurs when free moisture remains on the unprotected green tissue for many hours.

Management: An application of lime Sulphur prior to bud burst or, alternatively apply M04 products after the rain. Follow the label instructions.

Most likely: Climbing cutworm.

Biology: Cutworm larvae overwinter in vineyard soil and become active in the spring as vine buds begin to swell. They feed on young buds at night and retreat to the soil beneath the vines during the day. This feeding can damage or completely destroy the buds. Cutworm issues are most common in vineyards with sandy soils and significant weed growth under the vines. Damage tends to be more severe in cooler springs when bud development is delayed.

Source: https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/diseases/climbing_cutworms

Management: treat locally when necessary.

Continue to keep an eye on Erineum mite.

Biology: Adults overwinter under the bark and crawl out during the early summer to feed and reproduce on young leaves. Colonies of mites live inside the blisters (erinea) formed by their feeding on the lower surfaces. The blisters contain masses of enlarged tangled leaf hairs. Inside the galls, the females lay eggs which hatch to produce nymphs. When mature, nymphs (crawlers) emerge from the galls and move to new tissue and initiate new galls. Several generations occur every year with new galls developing nearest the growing shoot tip. Beginning in late summer, adult mites move back to crevices in the bark for the winter.

Source: Ontario Crop IPM.https://cropipm.omafra.gov.on.ca/en-ca/crops/grapes/insects-and-mites/ee6375bf-59f8-42e3-9cc1-4eb822d7ee7c?iid=a89d57bf-b66e-48cc-b105-d1e77e875219

Below are two pictures of herbicide damage.