The grape is the most significant crop grown in the world. Mainly it is developed for making wines and preparation of raisins and then as a table fresh fruit. While in India, it is primarily grown for food use. Grape farming is believed to have originated near the Caspian Sea. However, Indians have known grapes since Roman times. The total area under grapes in India is about 40,000 ha, distributed mainly in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Climatic Requirements for Grape Growing
The ideal climate for grape growing in the Mediterranean climate. In their natural position, the vines grow and are present during the hot and dry period. Under South Indian conditions – vines produce vegetative growth from April to September and then the fruiting season from October to March. Temperatures above 100C to 400C hold the yield and variety. However, high humidity and cloudy weather invite many fungal diseases, besides lowering the T.S.S. Acid ratio.
Propagation
Grapevine is most commonly propagated by hardwood cuttings, though spread by seed softwood cutting, layering, grafting, and budding is specific to certain conditions. Hardly, unrooted cuttings are also planted immediately in the field in the predetermined position for a vine. For I.B.A. hardwood cuttings, the 1000 ppm method is beneficial for early, better, and uniform cutting rooting. Seldom the rootstocks are found in the field, and there they are grafted with suitable varieties.
Soil Preference
The grape is widely adapted to various soil conditions. Still, the yield and quality reach the highest on good fertile soils with pH 6.5 to 8.5, natural carbon above 1.0%, is free of lime and has a medium water holding capacity. Therefore, early but medium yields with high T.S.S. are harvested on medium types of soils. For better soil preference, the Mahindra Arjun 605 tractor model is the best option for farmers.
Planting and Season
Usually, farming is prepared from October onwards till January. Rarely farming is also done during June-July where the monsoon is late. Monsoon planting is avoided mainly for evading diseases on young growth. For creating N-S direction, the trenches are opened. The size of the channel maybe 60 to 75 cm. They are deeply extended. Spacing for farming is maintained depending on soil type, variety and style of training. The distance between two rows may be 2 to 3 m, while the gap between vines within a row will be half of that, including vines from 2000 to 5000 per hectare.
Irrigation
Grape is a strictly irrigated, sustained crop and frequently irrigated. For flood irrigation, 5-7 days during summertime, 8-10 days during winter and 15-20 days during the rainy season – interval is controlled while for drip watering, 40-50 L; 30-40, 20-30 L of water per day per vine, water is used.
Special Horticultural practices
The first annual pruning is done during April to get the new vegetative growth, while the second pruning to get the development is done during October. Thus, while beginning April pruning, 0 to 2 buds on the arm are followed while doing October pruning. After that, 5 to 10 buds on the fruiting cane are kept. Thus, H.C.N. is used to have early, uniform, and higher sprouting, mainly after winter pruning is made.
Vines are trunk surrounded at the bloom period to improve the fruit set, raise the weight and T.S.S., and improve maturity.
Economic importance
At present, the grape is the most important fruit crop grown commercially with the objectives.
- Table purpose
- Export purpose
- Making wines
- Making raisins
Fresh grapes are a reasonably good source of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins like B. Famous champagne and other dessert wines are prepared from grapes.
Nutrition
Balanced nutrition and chemical, organic, and biofertilizers are essential to getting a good quality crop every year. Approximately 700 to 900 N, 400 to 600 P, including 750 to 1000 K Kgs/ ha/year, produces about 30 to 35 tonnes annually.
Fenamiphos, biomedical, mixtures of 5:10:5 Semichem, micronutrient mixtures have proved helpful in grape production. Fertilizers applied mainly twice a year when pruning, besides occasional foliar sprays also practised. Nowadays, Fertigation techniques are popular with grape growers.
Plant protection
Many fungi and insect pests attack grape shoots, leaves, blossoms and berries. Some nematodes also cause damage to roots.
Major fungal diseases – Anthracnose, Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, Dead arm, Botrytis and Botryodiplodia.
Primary bacterial infections –Xyantomonas, blight.
Viral diseases – Fan leaf disease
Major Insect pests – Flea beetle, Mealybug, Red mite, Thrips, caterpillars.
Soil born pests – Nematodes, phylloxera, white ants, and white grub.
Control measures: Some systemic and contact fungicides and pesticides are available and used per the following local schedule.
Besides pests and diseases, the crop is protected against weeds. Cyprus, doob grass, Parthenium tolerances are some of the common and essential weeds found in grapes. They managed by frequent weeding fruit ching/planting cover crops or using chemical weedicides such as Gramaxone, Baseline, Roundup, Glycol, etc.
Grape bunches also protected against hot sun, Coldwave, dry air spells, Dew and Storm. Some chemical, some physiological and some automated means rules adopted.
Post Harvest handling
Harvested grapes collected in 2 to 4 kg-corrugated boxes. Grape guards, bags are kept inside the cartons for distant markets. Pre-cooling and use of grape guards are a must for cold areas and export markets. The Mahindra yuvo tractor model is an excellent choice for the harvesting process because it provides high performance.
Bangalore, Delhi, Calcutta, Jamshedpur, Ludhiana, Patna, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad are the leading market places in the country.
Some extra features
Export: Day by day, increased numbers are exported to Europe, the Middle East, Dubai, etc.
Winemaking: champagne making is profitable and started at a few places in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Raisin making: Good quality black and golden raisins are prepared from the varieties. The raisins are increasing demand from Indians as well as from outside countries.
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