Complete projects
Completed projects.
Aging of BC Wines
We have previously requested wineries to donate wines to the Library that have done well in competitions. We have now changed this approach and wine makers can nominate wines that they feel should age well. Every year, one bottle from each wine will be tasted by the panel and a second bottle will be analyzed by GC/MS and LC/MS to identify and quantify volatile and non-volatile flavour compounds in wine.
BC Agriculture Adaptation Risk and Opportunity Assessment
Brett Odor Project Results Summary
View attached .pdf file.
Controlling wasps without insecticides
While the wasp populations in most vineyards were lower than last year, some of the very early, thin-skinned varietals still suffered some damage. The culprits belong to the family of vespidae, with the European paper wasp appearing in the largest numbers, followed by the yellow jackets and the bald faced hornets.
Cover Crops for the Suppression of Cutworm Damage to Grapevines
Insecticides are not always effective for the control of cutworms, and their use often reduces numbers of beneficial insects that help control secondary pests. Alternative methods of control are required in order to prevent excessive levels of damage while maintaining numbers of natural enemies.
Development of a pheromone trap for monitoring and managing the sugarbeet wireworm Limonius Californicus, the main species of cl
(In cooperation with Simon Fraser University, Phero Tech and Dr. John Borden - PARC Agassiz)
They will identify and synthesize all pheromone components of this click beetle to be used as an attractant for monitoring and possibly also controlling populations through mass trapping, mating disruption or “attract and kill” devices.
Development of key flavour and aroma volatiles in Okanagan Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Project starts in 2005. The climate of our southern regions is suited to produce excellent flavours and aromas in these Bordeaux grapes. Characteristic aromas of Merlot grapes arise from isoprenoids and thiols whereas Cabernet Sauvignon possesses methoxypyrazines in addition to isoprenoids and thiols. Too low or too high concentrations of these compounds can have drastic consequences on wine quality.
Effects of interactions between deficit irrigation, vine balance and leaf removal timing on vine physiology, fruit quality and d
This project will focus on the effects of deficit irrigation on coarse textured soils in the South Okanagan. Within the growing season three factors must be managed to optimize fruit development while minimizing the risk of delayed fruit maturation, low yields, and poor cane ripening. These are: fruit light microclimate, vine balance and water supply.
Establishment and Application of a Small-lot Research Winery to Determine the Winemaking Quality of Grapes from Viticulture Rese
Proposed is the establishment of a small-lot research wine making facility at PARC Summerland, and use of the facility to make wines from viticulture research projects underway.
Estimation of Brett Odor in Wines
Brett is probably resident in most Okanagan wineries, but is kept in check by current sterile techniques, and the 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylphenol concentrations are very likely well below their thresholds.
Estimation of Rootstocks for Maintaining Vineyard Productivity in
We propose to: (1) evaluate the responses of four rootstock options to five combinations of Okanagan nematode species-populations, and (2) characterize the influences of compost soil amendments on the nematode-root interaction for resistant and susceptible rootstocks.
Estimation of Smoke Contamination on Wine Grapes
The goal of this proposal is to develop an analytical technique to measure guaiacol and 4-methylguaiacol in grape, which are the compounds responsible for the smoke taint in wines.
Health and Safety Manual
The objectives for this project are: To outline the required elements of a winery specific Health and Safety program. This outline would be presented to the BC Wine Institute R+D committee. To develop a template “Health and Safety” manual that can be easily modified by each winery. To develop a training outline to ensure that Management and staff are appropriately trained to perform their respective duties in accordance with the safety standards established by each specific winery and WCB.
Identification and management of grape sour rot in British Columbia
Sour rot is an important disease of wine grapes that destroyed thousands of dollars of grapes
during the 2004 growing season. It is characterized by browning of the grape berry, breakdown
of the internal tissues and a strong vinegary odor. The presence of fruit flies is also a distinctive feature of this rot. The etiology of this disease has not been studied in Canada. The objectives of our research was to study the cause of sour rot, develop molecular techniques for identification of the pathogens involved in this disease, and test possible control strategies.
Identification of Factors that Contribute to Berry Shrivel (Arrested Fruit Development) in the Okanagan Valley
(Dr. Pat Bowen – PARC)
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.
Insect and Mite Pests of the Grape of the Southern Interior of B.C.
This publication is a companion to the Management Guide for Grapes for Commercial Growers, British Columbia Wine Institute, Kelowna BC.
For full details view attached file.
Insecticide Efficacy Trials
(Dr. Tom Lowery – PARC)
This project has been approved but deferred. This project will evaluate several insecticides for efficacy against leafhoppers, cutworm, and click beetle. These include formulated extracts from neem, Azadirachta indica, horticultural oils, and the insect growth regulator buprofezin (Applaud) for leafhoppers, and spinosad (Success) and B.T. for the control of cutworm.
Insecticide Efficacy Trials
Registration of new pesticides is required for the continued viability of the grape and wine industry in BC. Many insecticides formerly used on grapes are no longer available, are ineffective, or cause outbreaks of secondary pests such as mites. Reliance on broad-spectrum, highly toxic insecticides also runs counter to the image that the B.C. grape and wine industry hopes to cultivate.
Irrigation Effects on Red Winegrapes
Nutritional requirements for maintenance of healthy vines and highest quality grapes
Recently, there have been reports of vines with poor vigour and weak growth, which may be a result of nutrient deficiency, compounded by overcropping.
The Effects of Hot Water Treatment (HWT) and Pre- and Post-Treatment Handling and Storage Conditions on the Survival and Develop
Recent experience and research with hot water treatment protocols for imported grapevines have found that handling and storage procedures before and after HWT can influence vine vitality after planting. We plan to conduct an experiment using young Merlot and Chardonnay vines on 3309 rootstock that will be subjected to combinations of handling treatments including hydration in storage, pre- and post-HWT acclimation, and post HWT cold storage. There will also be a set on vines without HWT that will undergo some of the same handling treatments for comparison. After treatment, the vines will be planted at the PARC field plots facility and evaluated for budbreak timing, mortality rates, and growth and development for more than a year. The results will be made available to growers and nurseries to clarify what combination of HWT procedures best maintain vitality in young vines.
The Effects of Irrigation, N Fertilization and Canopy Management on Canopy Performance and Fruit Quality
Research will be conducted to determine interactions among environmental conditions (soil and climate), irrigation and N fertilization levels, and canopy management methods that influence wine grape quality. The goal of the research is to determine whether a decline in canopy performance due to stress resulting from water and N deficits delays maturation and reduces fruit quality.
Timing of Polyethylene Sleeve Application and Removal to Advance Fruit Maturity in Two Merlot Vineyards
The effects of application and removal timing for polyethylene vine canopy enclosures (sleeves) was studied in two Okanagan Valley vineyards.
