Background
Table grapes are a critical cash crop in Maharashtra, driving both local economies and export markets, particularly to the EU and UK. The state accounts for 80% of India’s grape exports, underscoring its agricultural and economic importance. However, over the past four years, grape farmers have faced severe challenges, including unseasonal rains and hailstorms during the crucial crop cycle from September to March post-fruit pruning. These adverse conditions have led to poor berry quality, nutrient uptake issues, berry cracking, sunburn, uneven fruitfulness, and increased input costs, threatening both yields and profitability.
Solution Implemented
To mitigate these challenges, Grepa® was introduced as a foliar application. It was applied independently or in combination with fungicides, insecticides, and water-soluble nutrients during key growth stages. These stages included post-fruit pruning, veraison, and back pruning, ensuring continuous support throughout the grapevine lifecycle.
Field Observations
Field trials demonstrated significant improvements across all growth stages. At the Poonga stage, farmers noted an increased leaf index and better bunch physiology. During the Pre-bloom stage, Grepa® enhanced foliage health, bunch branching, and minimized fillage. At the Inflorescence stage, the application supported optimal fruit setting while reducing berry drops and rotting. During the Berry setting stage, noticeable improvements were observed in berry size and lustre. At Veraison, the berries ripened evenly and displayed superior quality. Finally, during the Back pruning stage, the product significantly enhanced fruitfulness for the subsequent crop cycle.
Results and Impacts
- Income: Increased by 7-10% due to better and uniform fruit quality.
- Quality: Achieved export-grade quality with consistent BRIX levels across bunches and vines. Enhanced palatability and appearance, with improved crunchiness and lustre.
- Fertilizer Use: Grepa® improved nutrient utilization when used with water-soluble fertilizers through foliar spray or drip irrigation.
- Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Improved resistance to drought, salinity, and extreme temperature variations. Indirectly reduced berry cracking by facilitating optimal nutrient delivery to berries.
Conclusion
Grepa® stands out as an effective solution for addressing challenges throughout the grapevine lifecycle. It enhances grape quality, promotes efficient nutrient utilization, and enables plants to withstand abiotic stress. By delivering consistent results, Grepa® helps Maharashtra’s grape farmers achieve better profitability and sustainability.