AG~USA

Established 1989 Trusted products used in Australia’s major wine growing regions for many years Modified organic complexing agent 5-8 times more available than sulfates Excellent pesticide compatibility Binds to leaves for prolonged absorption High level of crop safety

Low grape prices Poor water quality in many areas Diverse climates and soil types Zinc, manganese & iron deficiencies Excessive canopy growth Wet summers & disease outbreaks Crop safety with cover sprays

Nutrition plays a very important role in fruit quality There are many other factors influencing quality e.g. Climate, soil type, irrigation, rootstock etc. NPK have greatest influence & when in balance, Ca, Mg & trace elements then play a very important role in maximising yield potential & berry quality Involvement with fruit set, colour & baume

Potassium – Protein synthesis, sugar production (baume), water regulation (eg. drought & frost tolerance), cell extension (filling) Calcium – Cell wall structure/integrity, flowering/fruit set, berry firmness Magnesium – Photosynthesis, protein synthesis, sugar transport, bunch stem necrosis (a complex issue but low Mg has been identified as a contributing factor in many varieties)

Zinc – Hormone production (auxins), protein synthesis, shoot & root development, reproduction (eg. ‘hen & chicken’), disease tolerance Boron – Cell wall structure/integrity, flowering/fruit set, sugar transport, berry firmness, root function, disease tolerance Molybdenum – Nitrate conversion to amino acids, fruit set in Merlot

Iron – Photosynthesis, root growth, leaf colour Copper – Lignification (cane development/strength), disease tolerance, sugar production Collectively trace elements also enhance anthocyanin production

Calcium, Zinc, Boron & Molybdenum Environmental factors also influence flowering

Zinc deficiency causes poor fruit set, which is known as ‘hen and chicken’ Timing is extremely important, 2 weeks prior to flowering is too late. Set is determined early in the season, 1 st zinc spray at 10-15cm shoots. If poor set previous season, post harvest application. BORON vital role in pollen tube growth Low boron levels at flowering will cause poor setting.

Boron has limited mobility in grapevines so apply 1-2 weeks prior to flowering. MOLYBDENUM is involved in converting Nitrates into a form which the vine can use. Has been shown to play an important role in fruit set in Merlot (minimum petiole levels at flowering should be 0.20 ppm) Also can affect Cab Sauv, Ruby Cab, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc & Cab Franc Should be applied early in the season, the same as zinc.

Conducted at Pope Valley VY, AVA (Napa Valley) Trial overseen by viticulturalist, Gerald Rowland Trial site treated with full SJB Program including VIGOR-LIG PLUS, LIG-ZINC + BORON, LIG-CALCIUM + BORON & LIG-TRACE foliars Observations – Post Set – very even berry size, more berries per cluster, less shatter completing bloom earlier, larger leaves, closer internodes, darker looking shoot tips. Cab Sav Merlot

Observations – Pre Veraison – more uniform berry sizing, canopy slightly darker and healthier, row canopy discrete with no crossing and joining, darker green canopy. Observations – Harvest The trial was so successful and the grower so happy with the results that at veraison SJB AG-USA products were used with 2 applications over the entire vineyard contaminating any differences we might have seen in short term results on sugar or phenolic production harvest data between control and trial. It can be noted from a historical aspect when comparing to previous years that the phenolic production and maturation of tannin, color and seed ripeness’ were better than any from the preceding 6 years.

It is well established that the phenolic compounds, known as anthocyanins, have a major impact on colour of red grape varieties. Trace elements play a direct role in the production of these phenolics, therefore any limiting traces can reduce anthocyanin levels in the skin Anthocyanins production peaks around 100% Veraison and tend to drop off towards harvest

Post fruit set applications of traces will help maximise anthocyanin production. Especially targeting any elements low in petiole analysis The most consistent inhibitor of anthocyanins is high nitrogen levels. High N causes excess growth reducing sunlight exposure and also larger berry sizes which dilute the anthocyanin levels in the skin. Trace elements (eg. Moly) help regulate Nitrogen levels and also aid in ripening. Magnesium sprays at Veraison also assist in berry colour development.

Many contributing factors affecting Baume Primary factors are Climate and Weather. Potassium and Boron play important roles Potassium is important in sugar production Boron is involved in sugar transportation to berries Increased sucrose in berries, increases polyphenol production (eg. anthocyanins) & enhances color Foliar Potassium/Boron at Veraison is the most effective option, without increasing berry acid ratio

The role of foliar sprays is to supplement soil nutrients during peak demand periods Ensure key nutrients are at optimal levels in the plant at critical growth stages Timing is the key for effective foliar nutrition! 3 main options for foliar nutrition – Oxides, Sulfates and Chelates/complexes

OXIDES – Suspension products – High analysis 70 – 100% w/v – Nutrient has a very strong bond with Oxygen – Makes them highly compatible – Availability is low and very slow – Sits on the leaf surface – Not a good option for viticulture

SULFATES – Highly soluble – Very reactive – Low compatibility and can interfere with Fungicides – Taken up quickly but will not deliver nutrients over an extended period of time therefore frequent reapplication is required – Tendency to cause leaf burn (phytotoxic) – Low cost – Suited to soil application

CHELATES – Literally means 'claw' (Greek - chele). – The primary role of a chelate is to increase the plant availability of nutrient elements applied to the soil or directly onto the plant. Note: In California lignosulfonates are defined as “complexes” & not chelates. Many years of scientific research has shown that lignosulfonates are good chelating agents, however the quality of the lignosulfonate material is very critical in determining what level of nutrients can be effectively in chelate form. The large variation in the quality of available lignosulfonate compounds may be one reason why the CDFA has taken a more conservative approach than other states.

– 5-10 times more available than non-chelated – Very soluble and compatible – Won’t interact with fungicides – Quickly absorbed and translocated – High level of crop safety – High quality Chelate is the best option for foliar What makes a chelate high quality? – Level of chelation, – Particle size – Type of chelate

Level of chelation – Paying premium for a chelate so should be a high % of element in chelate form – Ask what % of label analysis w/v is in chelate form Particle Size – A high quality chelate should have a small particle size so it can move through the leaf cuticle Type of Chelate – Main 2 on market are EDTA (synthetic) and Lignosulphonates (organic) – Others include amino acids and citric acid (very weak chelate)

EDTA – Small particle size – Strong chelation charge – Suited to chelating Iron – Too strong of a bond for weaker elements – Any free iron in water will replace chelated nutrient – Can only protect Cations – No sticking or wetting properties

LIGNOSULFONATES – By product of wood pulping, organic. – Vary in particle size depending on quality – Very good compatibility – Chelation holding power is equal across elements – Have ability to complex Anions and Cations – Very good sticking or wetting properties – Rainfast in 2-3 hours – Great companion for fungicides – Very good crop safety

Complete nutrient spray with complexed trace elements Ideal for establishment of young vines Low cost input Compatible with most insecticides/fungicides Effective up the drip on young vines Use as binder to enhance cover spray efficacy Promotes even growth not excessive vigour

Fully chelated for optimum foliar uptake Quick correction of major 1.5 qt/ac Can be effectively applied earlier (4 inch shoots) than sulfates or oxides Promotes even berry set (reduces ‘hen & chicken’) Excellent binding properties allows early application Great chemical & nutrient compatibility

Good balance of essential micronutrients + N, Mg, S Low 1 qt/ac will correct deficiencies Fully complexed cations (Mn, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cu) Excellent binding properties minimises wash-off Improves plant health, disease resistance (eg. production of key antioxidants) Enhances production of anthocyanins Boron enhances flowering & fruit quality Good chemical & nutrient compatibility

Chelated calcium with polyborate complex Added boron improves root uptake of calcium Enhances flowering & fruit set Can be safely applied during flowering Improves fruit strength & resistance to fungal infection & bunch stem necrosis Excellent leaf binding properties Good chemical & nutrient compatibility

Quick translocation to developing fruit Increases sugar production (baume) Much more effective than soil potassium particularly later in the season Promotes berry size, weight & colour Counters the detrimental affects of high nitrogen during ripening Added boron promotes calcium uptake Good chemical & nutrient compatibility

Quick leaf uptake Optimises photosynthesis & sugar production More effective late season than soil application Enhances berry color Can reduce severity of bunch stem necrosis High analysis complex Excellent chemical & nutrient compatibility

Essential for fruit set in Merlot Converts nitrates to amino acids/proteins Helps to reduce excessive vine vigor that can compromise fruit quality & increase disease risk Excellent chemical & nutrient compatibility Lignosulfonate binding & wetting properties aid foliar absorption

SJB is a long established company & industry leader with extensive knowledge of soil & plant nutrition Nutrition a key component for grape quality & yield Foliar sprays are effective tools for enhancing, fruit set, color & baume, but timing is critical SJB complexes are specifically formulated for foliar uptake, more efficient than sulfates/oxides with excellent compatibility & crop safety Early trials showing significant responses to SJB nutrition programs & products