A Guide to Grapevine Abnormalities in South Africa - P.G. GOUSSARD

Topping machine damage (517); rootstock suckers (518).

PHOTO 517. Considerable damage by topping machines may be caused to mature wood, especially in cases where bearers are not developed/positioned correctly, the result being a tendency to grow sideways.

PHOTO 518. Given the wasting of reserves, prompt, timeous and judicious elimination of rootstock suckers, in young plantings especially, is strongly recommended. Also note the favourable conditions for scion root development that have been created in this example – in the sense that the graft union comes into contact with or is even covered by soil.

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