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 In set (2–3 mm berry diameter): Apply 2–2.5 ppm gibberellic acid to abort shot berries. Repeat after two days. Use the higher dose under challenging conditions. Alternatively, apply 1.5 ppm gibberellic acid three times. Set to véraison 5 mm berry diameter: Remove leaves around bunches. Shorten bunches to 80–90 berries per bunch. Leave one bunch per shoot with a minimum diameter of 10 mm. Leave 54 000–56 000 bunches per hectare. Apply nitrogen according to vigour. 7 mm berry diameter: Apply 5–10 ppm gibberellic acid for berry enlargement. The higher dose is for the Orange River. Start with a magnesium programme to control berry stem necrosis if necessary. Véraison to harvest ±5% colour: Usually colours well. Apply 40 ml ethephon per 100 litres of water if necessary. ± 20% of berries soft: Prune the apex of the trellis to open a gap of approximately 30 cm. Trim bunches if necessary. Remove bunches on weak shoots. Harvest to packing Ideal sugar levels at harvest are 18 °Brix. Don’t handle turgid grapes on cold mornings after rain or irrigation. This can cause berries to crack in the bag.

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 57