Mulching in grape plantations

Trap-mulching Argentine ants.

Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), management is constrained, in large part, by polydomy where nestmates are distributed extensively across urban landscapes, particularly within mulch. Management with trap-mulching is a novel approach derived from trap-cropping where ants are repelled from a broad domain of nest sites to smaller defined areas, which are subsequently treated with insectic...

Growing Season Carbon Dioxide Exchange in Flooded Non-Mulching and Non-Flooded Mulching Cotton

There is much interest in the role that agricultural practices might play in sequestering carbon to help offset rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. However, limited information exists regarding the potential for increased carbon sequestration of different management strategies. The objective of this study was to quantify and contrast carbon dioxide exchange in traditional non-mulching with f...

Grape Juices and Their Grape-Apple Blends

This study investigated the effects of ethyl maltol and carbonation on cold-pressed Venus (new Arkansas seedless grape release, 60% Vitis vinifera L. x 40% Vitis labrusca L.) and Concord (Vitis labrusca L.) grape juices and their grape-apple blends. Sensory analysis indicated Venus juice rated higher than Concord in flavor and aroma after two months of storage at 37°C. Sensory and laboratory an...

Grape Detection in Vineyards

Grape Maturity

Berry sensory analysis (BSA) follows a standardized set of 20 descriptors, assessing the ripeness of wine grapes by judging fruit stems, skin, pulp, and seeds separately (Winter et al., 2004). It uses a four-point scoring system to determine relative ripeness and the change in ripeness over time. As with any maturity analysis, this system is most advantageously used in conjunction with other as...