How to Help Grapevines Recover after a Difficult Frost Period

100% : this is the percentage of a vineyard that canbe damaged by frost.

Cold snaps and frosts have hit many orchards and vineyards these last few weeks in France.

High yield reduction will be expected due to these cold waves, occurring after weeks of heat and crop development.

During dormancy, grapevines can support temperatures as low as -15°C. However, as soon as the vines bud, they become more vulnerable. If frost occurs, the young shoots dry and die. The final yield is thus highly reduced, but this reduction may not reach 100%. In fact, improved weather conditions, with rain and good temperatures can relaunch the budburst, but the drying of the first bursts will impact this recovery.

As the grapevines were already budding; starch and N storage have been consumed by the plant for its regrowth. Storage of starch and N are not at their maximum anymore for the second budburst. This has a direct impact on the energy of the crop and on the yield. Fertilisation and biostimulation must help the plant to sustain the coming flowering period to preserve the forming fruits.

TIMAC AGRO products can help grapevines to recover and protect the coming harvest.

EVOLUTION OF STARCH AND N CONTENT IN GRAPEVINE ROOTS, AND DRY WEIGHT AFTER  GRAPEVINE CYCLE