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Organic viticulture

Organic production requires a range of certified inputs that will enhance soil fertility and target improved nutrient delivery to vines, to improve plant resilience to stresses, as well as increasing yield and quality. A key part of any BioAg program is to build and maintain available nutrients.

Specific considerations for organic table and wine grapes

In an organic system, BioAg is able to supply the majority of macro and micronutrients. The exception is nitrogen, which is typically applied in significant amounts, in a non organic system.

In an organic system the nutrition program will incorporate a range of products as sources of nitrogen including compost, manures, and fish emulsion, all of which contain nitrogen, as well as labile carbon. Improving soil labile carbon is critical in an organic system, as soil carbon is required for fixing of nitrogen by soil microbes from the atmosphere, and cycling nitrogen to plant available forms.

BioAg provides a range of biostimulants that are a source of labile carbon as well as metabolites, carbohydrates, enzymes, and vitamins. These not only directly support and stimulate vine growth stages but act as food sources to beneficial microbial populations.

The BioAg approach

BioAg nutrition programs are incorporated into a growers current nutrition program. Our objective is to make fertiliser and other inputs work better and build and support healthy and balanced soils and plants. Programs are custom-made for each block, using advanced soil and tissue analysis. These integrated programs typically incorporate a range of BioAg solid and liquid nutrients, often associated with conventional inputs. BioAg fertility programs can be developed to meet organic certification requirements.

Soil test

An experienced and Fertcare accredited BioAg agronomist works with you and provides technical expertise on your crop. If you don’t already have recent soil test data, we arrange a soil test for you. The results provide essential information about the soil fertility and soil structure for better performance. Download the BioAg soil sampling procedure here.

A tailored program

Based on the results of soil tests, crop requirements and other factors such as soil structure, climate, history of the block, and targets that you are trying to achieve, we provide a tailored program that aims to improve soil fertility and maximise yield response. We support you through the program to ensure that inputs are applied at the right time, in the right way.

Leaf and tissue testing

Any nutritional program cannot foresee the changes in weather, disease, or pests, that may impact a crop. During the season, growers may observe issues or evidence of stress in their crop. This may be due to greater growth or yields than planned, a trace element shortage or abiotic stresses. An on-farm inspection and associated leaf or tissue tests will promptly identify any issues, which can quickly be addressed by applying the appropriate inputs. Download the BioAg leaf sampling procedure here.

High yielding crops require fertile balanced soils

Key to highly productive crops is the function of soils. Soil structure, chemistry and biology are critical in supporting crops throughout the growing season. By improving all aspects of the soil, crops will benefit from improved access to moisture, due to improved infiltration and water holding capacity, improved access to nutrition through improved nutrient cycling, fixation (for N) and a reduction in loss pathways, improved resilience to abiotic stresses and disease, improved root growth providing access to additional moisture and nutrients as well as improved carbon sequestration and a range of other benefits (click for more on soil health).

Beneficial microorganisms stimulate the plant’s root growth and help protect it from abiotic stresses. This is made possible through mutually beneficial relationships that microbes develop with plants, for example mycorrhizal associations. BioAg products programs supply essential macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca), trace elements (B, Zn, Cu etc.), microbial food and metabolites beneficial microorganisms that colonise root systems, improving soil function, plant health and productivity.

Several almonds lay on a flat surface

Organic viticulture – key features of a BioAg program

The following table illustrates the cropping process and potential solutions depending on soil test results and other contributing factors. Call your BioAg Area Manager to discuss your individual needs.

Objective
Activity
BioAg Product
Post Harvest
Support vine recovery and monitor soils.
Apply stimulants with nitrogen and requires trace elements to enhance nutrient supply from soils. Perform soil tests.
Prebudburst / Woolly Bud
Build soil nutrition and structure for the coming season. Support early growth with appropriate levels of P and Ca.
Apply ameliorates, solid fertilisers and required micronutrients into vine rows.
BioAgPhos®: 150 – 400kg/ha
Prebudburst / Woolly Bud
Build soil nutrition and structure for the coming season. Support early growth with appropriate levels of P and Ca.
Apply ameliorates, solid fertilisers and required micronutrients into vine rows.
BioAgSoP®: 20 – 50kg/ha
Budburst - Early Shoot
Stimulate root activity and improve nutrient uptake from soils.
Apply biostimulants to soils.
Soil & Seed Organic®: 1 – 4L/ha (1 – 2 applications at a 21 day interval)
Budburst - Early Shoot
Supply an organic form of N and K.
Apply biostimulants to soils.
HydraFish®: 10 – 20L/ha (1 – 2 applications at a 21 day interval)
Pre-flowering to Fruit Set
Support vine growth and flowering uptake from soils and counter potential abiotic stresses, heat, wet or dry conditions.
Apply Foliar biostimulants.
HydraSea 50®: 0.5 – 1.0L/ha (1 application at pre flowering)
Pre-flowering to Fruit Set
Support vine growth and flowering uptake from soils and counter potential abiotic stresses, heat, wet or dry conditions.
Apply Foliar biostimulants.
Soil & Seed Organic®: 1 – 4L/ha (2 applications at a 14 – 21 day intervals)
Pre-flowering to Fruit Set
Support vine growth and flowering uptake from soils and counter potential abiotic stresses, heat, wet or dry conditions.
Apply biostimulants to soils.
HydraFish®: 10 – 20L/ha (2 applications at a 14 – 21 day intervals)
Pre Version to Verasion
Support fruit development and retention and counter potential abiotic stresses, heat, wet or dry conditions. Address nutrient diffencies identified in SAP tests.
Apply Foliar biostimulants.
HydraFish®: 4 – 6L/ha
Pre Version to Verasion
Support fruit development and retention and counter potential abiotic stresses, heat, wet or dry conditions. Address nutrient diffencies identified in SAP tests.
Apply Foliar biostimulants.
Verasion
Support fruit maturation and counter potential abiotic stresses, heat, wet or dry conditions.
Apply Foliar biostimulants.
HydraSea 50®: 0.5 – 1.0L/ha (2 – 5 applications at a 21 – 28 day intervals)
Verasion
Support fruit maturation and counter potential abiotic stresses, heat, wet or dry conditions.
Apply Foliar biostimulants.

Organic viticulture resources

  • Impactful results even in challenging seasons

    In BioAg’s Winter/Spring Newsletter 2022, we wrote about a leading Australian wine producer seeking ways to improve the yield and quality of their organically grown grape crop. BioAg readily accepted this opportunity/challenge and has been working with the producer in t...

    Read more
  • Riverina Organic Wine Grape Vine demonstration

    Investigating the benefits of a BioAg nutrition program for organic grapes, to evaluate the impact on grape harvest yield and quality.

    Read more
  • Challenge accepted: Improving organic grape production

    A Riverina wine producer has been seeking ways to improve their crop of organically grown grapes.

    Read more
  • Soil carbon

    Like most elements carbon can be present in soils in different forms. Carbon is present as organic or inorganic carbon. Inorganic carbon is mineral based with its most common form being calcium carbonate. The carbon present in soil organic matter is referred to as organ...

    Read more

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