grape row

Grapes

Developing a proper nutrient program for a vineyard is an important task that has a decisive effect on the yield and quality of the grapes at harvest. A good fertilization program takes into consideration the balance of providing nutrients in the amount needed, at the proper timing based on the crop growth stage.  While the goals are slightly different based on the type of grape being grown (i.e. wine grapes, table grapes, or raisin grapes), the general guidelines in developing a nutrient program will be similar.

Since many vineyards are setup with micro-irrigation systems (i.e. drip, microsprinklers), liquid fertilizers are an ideal source of plant nutrition.  By injecting nutrients through the irrigation system, fertilizer applications can be applied directly to the rootzone.  Additionally, nutrients can be delivered at the ideal timings based on nutrient needs throughout the growing season.

Tessenderlo Kerley fertilizers will successfully address your crop nutrition needs by providing immediately available nutrients to the grapevine.

Nitrogen 

Compared to many permanent crops, grapevines have a lower N fertilizer requirement. Nitrogen should be applied to ensure an adequate N supply during growth and development.  However, high levels of available nitrogen later in the summer should be avoided, since excessive N might encourage late season shoot growth, delay maturity, and promote immature canes. 

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In the early season, N-Sure can be blended with another nitrogen source like urea solution or UAN-32 to provide quickly available N with the slow-release nitrogen from N-Sure, and then applied through the irrigation system. N-Sure can also be applied via foliar applications with fungicides and insecticides to supply smaller amounts of N directly to the leaf tissue.

Potassium

Potassium plays a role in both sizing of berries and increasing Brix.  K is also important in regulating water and potentially mitigating drought stress.  Potassium demand is highest between bloom and veraison.  During this time 60% of total K is taken up by the plant.  Postharvest can be another important period where 15-20% of total K is taken up and then stored for the following season. 

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KTS® and K-Row 23® are both excellent source of potassium for grapevines.  KTS provides both K and sulfur (S) in the thiosulfate form.  Thiosulfate has been shown to help improve availability of nutrients like phosphorous and micronutrients like manganese, zinc, and iron.  Thiosulfate can also help with lowering soil pH when the pH of the soil is higher than 7.0.  K-Row 23 contains half of the sulfur compared to KTS, so it is a good choice in some wine grape varieties where sulfur may be a quality concern.  K-Row 23 also has higher application rates, allowing for more flexibility in applications of K and it does not acidify the soil, and so is a good source of K in vineyards with soil pH less than 7.0.

Calcium

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Calcium is not a mobile nutrient, and so timing applications to important growth stages becomes critical. 

CaTs® is a source of soluble calcium that is readily available to the plant.  Timing calcium applications to late bloom and early fruit set, ensures adequate calcium levels in the forming fruit.  CaTs is also an effective soil amendment for increasing water infiltration.  Applications of CaTs in-season have been shown to improve the soil physical properties and improve water movement into the soil.

Sulfur

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Sulfur is an essential nutrient in crop production; serving many functions in the plant, including: formation of amino acids and proteins, chlorophyl production and activating certain plant enzymes important to physiological functions.  Sulfur is not often deficient in vineyards, however, if petiole or tissue samples indicate a sulfur deficiency, Thio-Sul®, KTS, CaTs and K-Row 23 can all be used to provide readily available sulfur for the vine.

Protect Wine Grapes from Sunburn and Heat Stress

Excessive heat and intense sunlight can negatively affect grapevine performance and fruit quality throughout the growing season. Prolonged exposure to solar radiation may contribute to berry sunburn, desiccation, reduced color development, and lower juice quality. High temperatures can also disrupt normal plant function by limiting photosynthesis during periods of heat stress. In wine grape production, these challenges can influence berry composition, fruit quality, and harvest outcomes. As temperatures continue to rise across many growing regions, vineyard managers need effective strategies to help protect fruit and maintain vine health during critical periods of development.

Surround® helps protect grapevines from excessive heat and solar radiation through a reflective particle film. The engineered calcined kaolin particles reflect damaging ultraviolet and infrared radiation, helping reduce canopy and berry temperatures during periods of environmental stress. By maintaining cooler vine conditions, Surround can help support continued plant function and protect fruit quality when used as part of a vineyard management program.

Surround Agricultural Crop Protectant

Learn How Heat Stress Impacts Wine Grape Quality

High temperatures can affect berry color, soluble solids, vine function, and overall fruit quality long before visible symptoms appear. Explore how Surround helps reduce canopy temperatures and protect grapes from sunburn and heat-related stress.

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Start the Season Ahead of Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew remains one of the most significant disease challenges in vineyards, particularly in regions where environmental conditions favor infection. Overwintering inoculum can survive between seasons and serve as an early source of disease pressure when spring conditions become favorable. Once infections begin, crop management can become more difficult, especially as resistance concerns continue to limit the effectiveness of some fungicide modes of action. Successful vineyard disease management relies on a preventative approach that combines cultural practices, canopy management, fungicide rotation, and strategies that reduce inoculum levels before the growing season begins

 

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Lime-Sulfur Solution can be used as a dormant-season application to help reduce overwintering powdery mildew inoculum in vineyards. By targeting chasmothecia (fungal microscopic fruiting bodies) residing on trunks, cordons, and other woody tissue, Lime-Sulfur Solution supports a preventative disease management program designed to reduce early-season disease pressure. When incorporated into an integrated pest management strategy, dormant applications can help growers begin the season with lower inoculum levels and support the effectiveness of in-season disease control efforts.