Guidelines for the preparation of table grapes in SA for export 2025/2026_ND

Actions by phenological stage

Dormancy Pruning: Canes (10–12 buds) with 20–25 buds per m 2 .

Improving bud break: Apply hydrogen cyanamide before bud break to advance the harvest date or improve bud break. Use according to the product registration. Bud break to flowering 2 cm shoot length: Start with the powdery mildew programme. 10–15 cm shoot length: Top dominant shoots so that shoots with bunches will all be more or

less the same length at flowering. Apply nitrogen according to vigour. 20 cm shoot length: Thin shoots. Remove shoots without bunches. Retain one bunch per shoot. 80–110 cm shoot length: Optimal shoot length at flowering. Flowering to set

50% flowering: Thin with 10 ppm gibberellic acid. 80% flowering: Thin with 10 ppm gibberellic acid. Full bloom: An additional 10 ppm gibberellic acid is optional. Set to véraison 50% of berries with 4–5 mm diameter: Remove leaves around bunches. Apply 20–40 ppm gibberellic acid for berry enlargement. The higher dose is for warm areas (Orange River). 75% of berries with 4–5 mm diameter: An additional 20–40 ppm gibberellic acid plus 1.5–2.5 ppm CPPU (cytokinin) is optional. 100% of berries with 4–5 mm diameter: Apply 20–40 ppm gibberellic acid and girdle. Shorten bunches to 90–110 berries per bunch. 10 mm berry diameter: Leave one bunch per shoot with a minimum diameter of 10 mm. Leave 54 000 bunches per hectare. Apply nitrogen according to vigour. Start with a magnesium programme to control berry stem necrosis if necessary. Véraison to harvest ± 20% colour: Prune the apex of the trellis to open a gap of approximately 30 cm. Trim bunches if necessary. Remove bunches from vines that show stress as a result of too many bunches. Harvest to packing Sensitive to hairline cracks: Don’t handle turgid grapes on cold mornings after rain or irrigation.

Sensitive to SO 2 -damage: Use paper on the grapes. Use 4–5 mm perforated bags and a MAM sheet.

SATI GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF TABLE GRAPES IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR EXPORT 53