Vision 2025 - National Research Centre for Grapes

5.1.3 Crop Protection
The imported disease forecasting software tested by the Centre based on weather parameters
viz. temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, leaf wetness, radiation, air velocity etc. was
accepted by grape growers to know the level of disease incidence particularly downy mildew,
powdery mildew and anthracnose and guidance of pesticide spray schedule. The system was
suitable for forecasting of downy mildew and anthracnose but not for powdery mildew. This
technique has been accepted by the State Government of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to
use in other crops. Similarly the expert system developed by the Centre for powdery mildew
forecasting and management has been accepted by many growers. Older and newer pesticide
molecules have also been evaluated for their bioefficacy and residue data and accordingly the
PHI period was fixed for managing the various disease and insect pests in grape. This was
worked out keeping in view the export of table grapes to EU countries and list of pesticides
recommended under this study were taken as guidance for the pesticide residue monitoring
programme implemented by the APEDA under the guidance of National Referral Laboratory
set up at this Centre. Studies on the pest risk analysis of insect pests of quarantine importance
carried out by this Centre in grape opened up the newer export market to China.
5.1.4 Pre and post-harvest technology to improve shelf life
A technique of pre-harvest spray of Trichoderma was received well by the farmers in
managing disease incidence and post-harvest fungi. This has become common practice in view
of the post-harvest decay problems faced in domestic and export market during long storage
of produce.
5.2 INPUT / OUTPUT ASSESSMENT
5.2.1 Crop Improvement
Introduction, evaluation and development of rootstock and scion varieties and their hybrids
input has been successful to some extent. As a result, the rootstocks viz. Dogridge, B-2/56,
110 R, 99 R, 1103 P, Salt Creek, St. George, Teleki 5A, SO4 etc. are under investigation of
compatibility with various table and wine grape varieties under various biotic and abiotic
stresses. No new developed varieties in the country have become popular or accepted by the
farmers except the Thompson Seedless and its clones developed by them. Introduced varieties
viz. Sharad Seedless, Flame Seedless and Red Globe are being accepted under various
situations and different agroclimatic conditions. Clonal selection identified by the Centre viz.
A 17/3 from Centennial Seedless, Kishmish Rozavis White from Kishmish Rozavis and
A 18/3, a black seedless selection from an open pollinated seedling progeny of a black seeded
variety are promising and are under field evaluation at different places in the country. Input put
up for biotechnology studies just few years back will give the output in the years to come.
5.2.2 Crop Production
Input in the area of training method and various material used for fabrication is yet to give
appropriate output in reducing the initial cost of cultivation. Level of pruning, time of pruning
in various grape varieties and their combination is also to give specific output in getting offseason
crop and appropriate yield.
Input in terms of use of various bioregulators for crop regulation / thinning, increasing size of
berry and pedicel thickness apart from managing growth / vigour, breaking dormancy of buds
etc. has given many benefits so far.
Experiments on increasing efficiency of water and fertilizer use have given specific and
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