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

Actions by phenological stage

Dormancy Pruning: Spurs (2 buds) with 8–10 buds per m 2 . Or half-long bearers (6–8 buds) with 12–15 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. 3 cm bunch length: Apply kelp products or 1 ppm gibberellic acid plus 1 ppm CPPU (cytokinin) for bunch elongation. 10–15 cm shoot length: Apply nitrogen according to vigour. Apply more nitrogen if vigour needs to be increased. Low concentrations (1.0%) of low-biuret urea can be applied as a foliar application from 20 cm shoot length until before flowering. 20 cm shoot length: Thin shoots aggressively by removing weak and double shoots. Aim to have one bunch per shoot as early as possible. 80–110 cm shoot length: Optimal shoot length at flowering. Flowering to set 20%-30% flowering Apply low concentrations (1.0%) of low-biuret urea. This can be repeated at 70%–80% flowering. Full bloom: Thin with 1.5–2 ppm gibberellic acid plus low concentrations (1.0%) of low-biuret urea. Use the higher dose in cold weather. Repeat after three days. Set to véraison 5 mm berry diameter: Remove leaves around bunches. Avoid direct sunlight on bunches. Shorten bunches to 75–85 berries per bunch. Leave one bunch per shoot with a minimum diameter of 10 mm. Leave 55 000 bunches per hectare. Apply nitrogen according to vigour. 6-8 mm berry diameter: Apply 3 ppm gibberellic acid for berry enlargement in the Western Cape. Apply 5 ppm gibberellic acid for berry enlargement in the Orange River. Start with a magnesium programme to control berry stem necrosis if necessary. Véraison to harvest ± 20% colour: Open a gap of approximately 30 cm at the top of the canopy. Colour improvement: Apply 40 ml ethephon per 100 litres of water in the Orange River. Apply an additional 30 ml ethephon per 100 litres of water three days later. This cultivar colours readily in cooler regions. Low doses of ethephon can be applied in the Western Cape. Remove bunches on weak shoots. ± 75% colour: Remove bunches on vines with poor colour. Harvest to packing Ideal sugar levels at harvest are 18 °Brix. Use paper on the grapes. Use perforated bags and a MAM sheet. Don’t handle turgid grapes on cold mornings after rain or irrigation.

SATI GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF TABLE GRAPES IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR EXPORT 73