Grapes
Manuring & Fertilization
At Pre-Bearing Age
In India grapevines are pruned one year after planting. For developing adequate canopy, fast and
profuse vegetative growth is encouraged. Thus by giving 100g urea together with 200g of super
phosphate at monthly intervals to each vine develops adequate branches in pre-bearing period.
At Bearing Age
The efficiency of applied nutrients increases by placing them in the active feeder root zone. In grape
vines fertilizers are placed around the vine at 10-15 cm depth in a shallow circular ring of 60-75 cm
radius. Ring method is adopted to provide split doses of fertilizers to vines planted at wider spacing.
Band method is adopted in case of vines spaced at a closer spacing within a row and widely spaced
between the rows. A shallow trench is opened 45-60 cm away from the vine on either side of the row
and fertilizers are placed along the length and covered with soil.
In drip irrigated vineyards 10-15cm deep pit is excavated under the dripper. The number of pits
depends on the number of dripper placed around the vine. Fertilizer is applied in the pit and covered by
soil.
Nutrient requirement in case of grapevines differs from variety, soil characteristics and cultural
practices. Relative nutrient requirement of grapes at different stages of growth is given below:
Days After Back Pruning N P K Mg
0-30 High Medium Nil Nil
32-60 Low High Low Medium
61-90 Nil Medium High Medium
91-120 Nil Nil Low Nil
Days After Forward Pruning
0-40 High Low Low Low
41-70 Medium Medium Medium Low
71-110 Low Low High Medium
111-140 Nil Nil Medium Nil
(Source : NRC Grapes)
To determine the nutrient needs of the grapevine it has been found that leaf analysis is better as
compared to soil analysis. It is also useful in finding out the association of nutrients with some
disorders. Normally petiole nutrient contents are analysed 45 days after back pruning. A critical
level of petiole nutrient contents during bloom time has been worked out. The nutrient contents of
the petiole below the critical level indicate the need for fertilization. If case of low nutrient level full
dose of fertilizer is given, if adequate or normal 75% and if higher then 50% of the recommended
dose is applied.
Recommended doses nutrients at different levels in the petioles :
Low Adequate High Excess
Petiole content (%) <0.87 >0.87-1.54 1.54-2.66 >2.66
Dose of N (Kg/ha)
Red Sandy 300 225 150 -
Black clay 666 500 333 -
Petiole content (%) <0.19 0.19-0.32 0.32-0.95 >0.95
Dose of P (Kg/ha)
Red Sandy 500 375 250 -
Black clay 888 666 444 -
Petiole content (%) <0.60 0.60-2.24 - >2.73
Dose of K (Kg/ha)
Red Sandy 1000 750 500 -
Black clay 666 500 333 -
Petiole content (%) <0.33 0.33-0.50 0.50-0.70 >0.70
Dose of MgSO4 (kg/ha)
Red Sandy 180 135 90 -
Black clay 180 135 90 -
(Source : Pre-harvest Manual For Production Of Table Grapes For Exports- APEDA, New Delhi)
Nutritional Deficiency :
Magnesium
This deficiency is mostly observed in Bangalore and Kolar in Karnataka. Symptoms appear as
pronounced pattern of whitish yellow colour between the veins with the areas adjacent to the larger
veins remaining green. In advanced stages the margins of the leaves become brown.
Control : Soil application of Magnesium Sulphate (250 kg/ha) at the pruning time is recommended.
Iron
This deficiency is observed in Nasik and Pune districts in Maharashtra. Symptoms appear as
yellowing of younger leaves with small veins remaining green.
Control : Soil application of Fe-EDDHA or foliar application of Ferrous Sulphate (250g/100 litre water)
+ citric acid (50g)+ liquid detergent (125 ml) is recommended.
Zinc
This deficiency is mostly observed in Nasik and Ahmednagar districts in Maharashtra.
Symptoms appear as stunted lateral shoots with small leaves (little leaf). The small veins remain
green with interveinal tissues remaining green-pale yellow.
Clusters show poor set and shot berries with smallest one remaining green.
Control : Soil application of Zinc Sulphate (250 kg/ha) or foliar spray of Zinc Sulphate (200g /100 litre
water) + 50 ml liquid detergent is recommended.
Boron
This deficiency is mostly observed in Chikaballapur in Kolar and Bangalore in Karnataka. Symptoms
appear as death of shoot tips and leaves near the shoot tips with chlorotic areas between the veins.
Necrosis of the old yellow tissues takes place. Uneven, compressed shot and immature berries
Control : Soil application of Borax or Boric Acid (10 kg/ha) or foliar spray of borax/boric acid (1g/litre) 4
times before flowering is recommended.
Calcium
This deficiency is mostly observed on Thompson Seedless variety in Pune district of Maharashtra.
Calcium deficiency leads to grape bunch necrosis.
Control : Foliar spray of Calcium Acetate /Calcium Chloride /Calcium Nitrate (2 g/litre water) + liquid
detergent (50 ml) is recommended.
Excess of Sodium and Chloride Salts
This is mostly observed in Sangli district of Maharashtra.
Excess of Sodium and Chloride salts leads to the development of typical salt burn symptoms. These
symptoms start form the margins of the leaves and progresses inwards.
Control : Use of rootstock e.g. Salt Creek, Dogridge, 1613 or St. George depending on extent of salinity
is recommended.
Potassium
This deficiency symptom is mostly observed in Maharashtra. Symptoms appear as fading of green
colour from the leaf margins and areas adjacent to the main veins. In severe cases wilting and
subsequent drying of rachis and attached berries is observed.
Control : Application of Potash based on the petiole analysis done at full bloom stage is recommended