Population dynamics of epiphytic mycoflora and occurrence of bunch rots of wine grapes as influenced by leaf removal

Population dynamics of epiphytic fungi associated with the summer bunch rot complex of five wine grape ( Vitis vinifera ) varieties in commercial vineyards in the San Joaquin Valley of California were monitored every two weeks by berry washings during 1989-1992. Vines in the five replicated experiments were subjected to basal leaf removal or left unaltered. Although numerous genera of fungi were isolated, species of Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria predominated. Population densities of most fungal taxa increased at or after véraison. Leaf removal in the fruiting zones of bilateral cordon-trained vines generally reduced ( P >0·05) mid to late season numbers of epiphytic mycoflora: species of Penicillium, Botrytis and Aspergillus were most commonly reduced. Populations of Alternaria spp. and yeasts were not consistently affected by leaf removal. Numbers of fungi were no lower on berries when leaves were removed from both sides of vines than when leaves were removed only from the shaded side. Incidence and severity of bunch rots (sour rot, rots caused by Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus niger , and total rot) at harvest were consistently reduced where leaves had been removed in comparison to vines where no leaves were removed. In one experiment, berries from vines sprayed with the grower's choice of pesticides at 50% or 100% of label rates had similar numbers of epiphytic mycoflora in both cases frequently lower than those from unsprayed controls. There was a significant interaction between chemical rate and leaf removal on the incidence of sour rot at harvest. Timing and extent of leaf removal did not affect population dynamics of epiphytic fungi, or incidence or severity of bunch rots ( P ≤0·05) at harvest in other trials.