Identification of Factors that Contribute to Berry Shrivel (Arrested Fruit Development) in the Okanagan Valley

Berry shrivel incidence occurs at seriously high levels in some Okanagan Valley vineyards where it causes significant yield and quality losses, and/or high costs associated with cluster thinning. Low-level shrivel incidence is more common in the Okanagan, and can remain undetected while it reduces crop quality by contaminating the harvest with afflicted “non-ripe” clusters. This project proposes to characterize the mesoclimate and vine physiology in shrivel-prone and non-prone vineyards. Based on the patterns found, we will develop causal theories and test these by conducting experiments including treatments that either enhance or reduce shrivel incidence. The information obtained will be used to make recommendations to the industry to reduce berry shrivel incidence in the Okanagan Valley.