What was found:The Acadian© Agritech's Ascophyllum nodosum scored significantly better in Botrytis rot than the Agrisea© New Zealand's Ecklonia Radiata and the Control

There was no significant difference in harvest parameters, berry weight, berry numbers and bunch weight between the Treatments.

The Acadian© product scored consistently lower soluble solids and pH while having consistently a higher TA than the other Treatments.

Daniel P. Brennan

Eastern Institute of Technology Taradale, Napier, New Zealand

Evaluation of the benefits of seaweed foliage sprays on Sauvignon blanc vine

& berry health

What was done:The trial was set up at Villa Maria’s Joseph Soler Vineyard which is certified Biogrow® New Zealand.

The trial block was Vitis vinifera L cv. Sauvignon blanc on its own rootstock

Fruit was analysed for harvest parameters (pH, TA, soluble solids ), berry weight, berry number, and bunch weight

No crop thinning was performed on any of the vines

A percentage of Botrytis rot was scored for every bunch in the trial per the following system:

Introduction:A comparison between two commercial foliar seaweed sprays on Hawkes Bay Sauvignon blanc. The two products, Agrisea© New Zealand's Ecklonia Radiata species and Acadian© Agritech's Ascophyllum nodosum were trialed against a Control. Each product is made from different seaweeds originating in different areas of the world and claim benefits and advantages to their seaweeds and production techniques.

Conclusions:•While the difference was not significant, the Acadian© Agritech's Ascophyllum nodosum scored consistently behind in maturity levels than the Agrisea© New Zealand's Ecklonia Radiata and the Control

•Crop loss due to Botrytis rot was significantly reduced when using Acadian© Agritech's Ascophyllum nodosum compared with other Treatments

This figure shows examples of the different percentages of Botrytis rot on Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blanc per this trial:A = 3%B = 5%C = 10%D = 30%E = 50%

A

D

B

E

C