VINEVAX FAST FACTS

Readers know my interest and fascination with the attributes of Trichoderma spp and the range of benefits it can bring to plant health and crop production. I have assisted the preparation of the following fast fact sheet explaining a few common questions.

Read products documents at www.agrimm.com.au and ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.

FAQ’s

How long does VineVAx bio-dowel provide benefit in the trunk?

Our recommendation is to re inoculate the trunk between 5 and 8 years. We do have evidence the Vinevax Bio-inoculant dowel can provide longer periods of benefit, with no disease symptoms over 15 years in some cases in the Barossa region of South Australia.

The protection provided by VineVax Bio-dowel inoculation is realised at tens of cents per year over those periods.

Installation of VineVAx bio-dowel, How long does it take?

It takes about 20 seconds to drill and install each Vinevax Bio-inoculant dowel.

When and how should I install bio-dowels?

We recommend installation outside of the major sap flow periods.

1. Reworking is in progress? - at any time below the water shoot - earlier is better because it protects the re-work.

2. Reworking is to be commenced the following summer? Early placement enables the bio-dowel to condition the 'wood' area before watershoot development.

3. Mature vines with a small level of infection in the cordon but no reworking is being considered? Clean and cut back the cordon if possible but certainly place the bio-dowel up closely and beneath the affected cordon.

What is the best position for inserting bio-dowels in mature vines where the cordon is to be protected?

Clean and cut back the cordon and place the bio-dowel up close and beneath the affected cordon.

If a dowel has been inserted is it still necessary to apply the dressing to the wounds?

Yes, Eutypa infections may still enter the vine. Prevention is better than cure, the bio-dowel helps with disease management and vine performance.

Is the PWD ( Prune Wound Dressing) different to the dowel, how do they work to combat the Eutypa?

Vinevax PWD is will close down colonisation of fresh pruning wounds to pathogens and is effective if placed onto fresh clean wounds (immediately through 2 days after wounding).

The Vinevax bio-dowel is designed to be a slow release source for the bio-inoculant Trichoderma to grow into the vine. This causes a stimulation of the vine, generating an immune-like response that helps the whole vine health and resistance to pathogens.

How long can we allow after pruning, for the PWD be applied?

Application of PWD promptly applied after pruning will provide the best protection with good results possible up to two days following pruning. Prompt application = prompt protection.

Recycling of sprays is not recommended as pathogen spores can be picked up and put back onto wounds.

Would the addition of a food source to the wound dressing help the Trichoderma colonise in more difficult situations such as when pruning has been some time before application of the dressing?

Vinevax PWD contains colonisation support within the formulation.

Does the dowel help the vine to destroy Eutypa infections or does it just prevent / slow the progress of the disease?

Yes, the bio-dowel lifts the vine health and enables it to fight back against the Eutypa. Results indicate the Bio-dowel improves vine health and stops vine decline in most cases.

Vines carrying high Eutypa load must still be re-worked via a clean water-shoot that a bio-dowel placed beneath gives protection.

Will the PWD Trichoderma colonise effectively:

1. in dry weather? - yes

2. in wet weather? - yes but be aware that pathogens are also active in wet periods

3. in cold weather?  (South Australian cold temperatures are obviously not to be compared with other countries.) We get good colonisation in SI New Zealand use.

What is the optimum temperature for Trichoderma?

Growth range 10 - 30C - optimum 23-25. When Vinevax PWD is in the fresh wound it has direct spore inhibition properties against pathogen and will stay there even if it doesn't grow and colonise rapidly.

Can the Trichoderma colony in the vine be affected by fungicides or other sprays applied at a later date?

No, the inoculant is in the vine.

This document was prepared by:
David Gale - AGRIMM Technologies
Darren Cribbes – conNEXUS global
Last Updated: 15^th July 2014

Zinc Update

Michelle Bammann, Agronomist for Sonic Essentials in South Australia has provided this handy reference and included a zinc application reckoner for reference.( Send an email request for reckoner )

Just a few highlighted reasons below to why we should be encouraging the use of oxide foliar zinc at the moment. I strongly believe that in these bleak, cold and wet conditions, zinc is as important as N.  I have also included a ready reckoner for application rates on all of the Icon Products. ( Send an email request for reckoner )

Zinc deficiencies appear to be more likely to occur in the following situations: 

• High phosphate, high pH (alkaline) soils; 

• Cold wet and poorly aerated soils, low in vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM); 

• Areas where the topsoil has been removed by either erosion or by land levelling; 

• Long fallows where VAM is low; and,  

• Where restriction to root growth has occurred such as wheel tracks, chemical damage, hard pans or waterlogging.  

Zinc is essential for many plant functions. Some of them are

• Production of Auxins, an essential growth hormone.
• It activates enzymes in protein synthesis, plus is involved in the regulation and consumption of sugars
• It is necessary for starch formation and proper root development.
• Zinc influences the rate of seed and stalk maturation.
• It is necessary for the formation of chlorophyll and carbohydrates.
• The presence of adequate amounts in the tissue enables the plant to withstand lower air temperatures.

  ( Send an email request for reckoner )

Happy to answer any questions you may have

Michelle Bamman

  

m. +61 (0)408429620

p.  +61 (0)3 5825 5454

f.   +61 (0)3 5825 4544

e michelle@sonicessentials.com

w. www.sonicessentials.com

 10 Northgate St

PO Box 258

MOOROOPNA Vic  3629

Australia

P SCHOOL - In review

As an stakeholder and organiser, I will call P SCHOOL a wonderful success. 

Thank you to our guest speakers who contributed to our learning and laying the new ground rules for Phosphorus management for growers.  Guest evaluations provided clear and concise feedback for the day, stating the excellent instructors provided the detail and application of science and research in a manageable and understandable manner.

Thank you to our guests, who contributed to learning through active involvement and a challenging  the instructors with a range of questions displaying Australian agriculture is in the good hands of professional farmers.

Thankyou to Vic No-Till Farmers Association for promotional support.

Several evaluation comments:

Has the IPM MasterClass PSCHOOL added to your knowledge of P management? How?

Yes, I have a greater understanding of how P moves around in the soil and is taken up by plants the  returned back to the soil.

Yes, test method effectiveness, importance ( quantifiable) impact on soil microbial activity on P availability.

Reinforced my understanding of P input replacement vs requirements.

Yes in decision making.

Yes, it provided me with knowledge of how P works and given me plenty to think about regarding different application practices.

Yes, more holistic understanding of P cycle.

Greater understanding of P availability and functions of tie up/availability.

Yes, Broad range of different perspectives on P availability.

Yes, especially type of soil and crop requirements.

Dr. Sarah Noack wrapping up P SCHOOL - management decisions and product forms.

Landcare Practice - Riparian Buffers

Landcare has a long history of tree planting and creek care as part of catchment management. While this may be the view of the role of Landcare and significant promotion of this work has occurred regarding value to the catchment, not enough has been made of its value to land holders.

Riparian buffers, typically a strip of land adjacent to waterways and within natural land drains such as valleys and hollows, are planted or maintained with vegetation ranging from trees and shrubs to low growing grassy groundcovers. These strips filter runoff by slowing water movement of soil particles, manure and other nutrients that may enter waterways and pollute downstream. Further, these strips hold valuable water resources and contribute to groundwater replenishment.

Value to landholders is returned in ‘ecosystem services’ to our properties, livestock and community.

Windbreaks provide significant shelter and protection, modifying ambient temperatures in both summer and winter to benefit animal welfare. Habitat can lead to pest suppressive landscapes, where the buffer zone provides year round habitat to beneficial fauna that use pests on our properties for food. A greater understanding of this attribute provides significant value in reduced pesticide use.

Support of nectar and pollen for pollinators such as bees is a growing concern with over 80% of our food crops production requiring pollination to reach yield potential. This includes our vegetable and flower gardens.

All of us concerned with the landscape, must become more landscape literate and support better land care outcomes for our community benefits. Maintaining and promoting riparian buffer strips and windbreaks is one method with a multitude of value.

Darren Cribbes

Get involved with local Landcare:

http://northcentral.landcarevic.net.au/bald_hills_creswick