2002 Leopold Grape Cultivar by Management System Trial

Abstract

<p>Through a grant from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, a grape cultivar by management system trial was established in 2002 at the ISU Horticulture Station (Hort Station), Ames, and at the ISU Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, Lewis. The trial was designed to evaluate 15 cultivars under three management systems. In 2002, 10 wine cultivars (Maréchal Foch, Frontenac, Cynthiana, St.Croix, Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, La Crosse, Vignole, Traminette, Edelweiss), and four seedless table cultivars (Marquis, Vanessa, Reliance, Mars) were planted, with the seedless cultivar Jupiter added in 2003. The three management systems being evaluated are 1) a conventional system that relies on herbicides for weed control, and the application of insecticides and fungicides on a regular basis; 2) an IPM/best management system that uses herbicides as needed, and relies on monitoring to determine the need for insecticides and fungicides; and 3) an organic-approved system that relies on alternative methods of weed control and the use of organic-approved insect and disease control strategies.</p>