What to Do About Grape Rot and Soft Berries? Causes and Control Methods

Summer is the peak season for grapes on the market, and many growers' grapes have already ripened and are ready to be sold. For many farmers who grow grapes, this is the moment when a year of hard work pays off. But at this critical moment, many growers' grapes begin to rot and develop soft berries. What is going on here? Below, Qinnong Net has summarized some causes, hoping to help grape growers.

1. Disease causes

Many diseases can cause grape rot and soft berries, such as the common downy mildew, white rot, canker, qiangku disease (grape dead-arm disease), and sour rot. These five diseases damage various parts of the plant, and their symptoms differ, but in the later stages they all cause grape rot and soft berries.

Control methods: For any disease, start by dealing with the source. Before planting, disinfect and sterilize the environment, plow the soil deeply and expose it to whiten it, and completely remove the previous year's leftover plants to eliminate any possibility of pathogen sources surviving and spreading. Observe promptly, and deal with diseases as soon as they are found. First determine which disease it is, then combine treatments with chemicals according to its characteristics. Also, when a small area of disease is found, remove and burn the diseased leaves, branches, and plants, then spray chemicals to cure it.

2. Environmental causes

Besides disease causes leading to grape rot and soft berries, the environment can also cause them. For example, fruit exposed to direct sunlight for a long time can cause sunburn, which in the later stages leads to shriveled grape berries, especially after rainy days when the weather turns clear, and also during continuous high temperatures above 33°C.

Control methods: For these causes, we must start with the grape plant itself. Since weather is unpredictable, we should cultivate strong grape vines and increase stress resistance. Environmental factors can also be improved through artificial means, such as greenhouse technology. In seasons with high temperatures and strong light, shading can reduce the effects of strong light and high temperatures.

3. Other causes

In addition to the above two causes, there are other causes as well, such as problems with the root system and leaves, for example root damage and massive leaf drop, so that nutrient supply cannot keep up during the grape fruiting period. There is also a lack of certain trace elements, and many farmers, for the sake of yield and rapid ripening, use large amounts of swelling agents and hormones without restraint. These causes lead to rot and soft berries.

Control methods: The root system and leaves are important parts of the plant, related to the plant's growth and fruiting. In addition, when fertilizing, use less chemical fertilizer or try not to use it, and use more farmyard manure or organic fertilizer. During the swelling and coloring stages, try not to use swelling agents and hormones.

The above are the causes and control methods of grape rot and soft berries brought to you by Qinnong Net. There are many causes of grape rot and soft berries, and they are often caused by many situations. In daily planting, prevention should be the main focus, so as to avoid discovering it too late.