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.

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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