PRIORITIES FOR NY/PA GRAPE INDUSTRY
2003 RFP
Research proposed should contribute to the competitiveness and profitability
of the New York/Pennsylvania Grape Industry. They include, but are not limited
to, the following objectives:
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Continue research to optimize the yield and quality of
Concord and Niagara grapes under varying climatic and soil conditions. In
the process work towards the development of a Seasonal Crop Load Management
system that will enable grape producers to achieve optimum yields and quality
on a sustainable year-to-year basis.
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Continue the development of sustainable mechanized pruning
and crop thinning equipment and techniques that optimize yield and quality.
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Determine the best vineyard floor management techniques
and practices (such as through irrigation, mulching, etc.) that optimizes
water and nutrient availability.
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Continue the development of new crop protection materials
and methods that will enable producers to manage pests in a cost effective,
environmentally sound manner.
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Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of spray systems
( both existing and new) that will lead to improved spray target deposition,
lower cost, and ultimately better control of vineyard pests.
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Determine the ³best management practices² including those
associated with pruning levels, nitrogen fertilization and training systems,
for Concord and Niagara grape vineyards planted to grafted rootstocks.
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Define those factors influencing the growth and functioning
of roots, and develop root-management practices to enhance vine productivity.
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Determine optimum soil pH range for the production of
Concord and Niagara grapes.
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Develop more effective materials and pest management
strategies to control the Grape Berry Moth.
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Develop improved methods to determine vineyard nutritional
needs, such as through bloom-time leaf analysis.
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Develop methods to enhance fruit set through mechanical
or chemical techniques.
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Develop better methods to define fruit quality (color,
acid balance, soluble solids, etc.) in order to identify the optimal time
to harvest the crop.
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Continue developing site selection criteria and methodology
to determine the suitability of locations for new grape plantings.
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Develop methods to genetically improve grape varieties,
including Concord and Niagara, for resistance to pests and for increased
productivity.
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Evaluate the potential health benefits associated with
the consumption of Concord based grape juice.
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Develop Precision Agriculture techniques through GPS
and GIS systems that enable producers to more precisely manage inputs (nutrients,
water, etc.) and evaluate outputs (fruit yield and quality) on a localized
basis.