India: Grapes may turn sour for growers

Grape output in northern Karnataka could fall by 25%-30% because of a destructive fungal disease brought on by cold night temperatures. Grape vines in the region have been afflicted by downy mildew has night temperatures fall below 20 degree Celsius, leaving farmers hoping for warmer weather. But growers are deriving some cold comfort from the fact that there has been an increase in the area under grape cultivation: grape is being grown instead of pomegranate on some 5,000 acre. Grape is grown on over 90,000 acres in Karnataka, mostly in the northern parts of the state. The Bijapur and Bagalkot districts are the main grapegrowing areas in this region.

Grape-growers told ET that the ideal night temperature for the fruit during winter should be 22-25 degree Celsius, but it currently hovers below 20 degree Celsius. “We are watching anxiously. Pruning of the vines happens from September onwards and close to about 10% of the pruning is slated to happen around November. If the cold night conditions persist, yield is bound to fall,” a grape grower said.

A fall in yield would be yet another blow to grape farmers in the state, most of whom lost their crop because of unseasonal rain during February and March. Grapes are normal harvested during these two months. While farmers are taking precautions to prevent the spread of downy mildew by spraying fungicides, the cost of treatment has almost doubled. Water-soluble fungicides which used to cost Rs 1,200- Rs 1,300 for a 25-kg pack now cost Rs 2,200-Rs 2,300.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com