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SOIL REMI COHEN & CELLAR Vinous Conversions Cordon-to-cane can improve yields, longevity ine training involves the selection and maintenance of the woody structure of the vine in a form compatible with the chosen trellis system. The choice of training and trellis systems depends on the grape variety, as well as the desired goals for yield and quality. Training systems can be characterized by the origin of the fruit-bearing wood, either trained from the head of the vine or trained from a cordon, a permanent horizontal extension of the trunk along a fruiting wire. A secondary characterization of vine training is the style of pruning relative to the length of the fruit-bearing wood, either a spur or a cane. There are additional characterizations of vine training, such as training systems with split canopies, but for now, we will stick to cordon vs. head and cane vs. cordon. This chardonnay vine was converted from cordon to cane two years ago and is in full production. Photo: Remi Cohen w w w. v w m media.com Cordon training with spur pruning is the most popular vineyard system, thanks to its simplicity. It takes less time than cane pruning and does not require a highly skilled worker; therefore, it���s also less expensive. Additionally, spur pruning reduces the expression of apical dominance and provides for a relatively uniform bud break and shoot length. Cordon training with spur pruning is also well adapted to mechanization. Machines can be used as a first pruning pass and can serve two functions when double pruning. First, by making a first pass with machine pruning, you speed up the second pass and can reduce + Canker diseases and increasing vine the overall expense of age lower the productivity of cordonpruning labor. Second, trained, spur-pruned vineyards. the machine pass can be + Converting a vineyard from cordon made early in the season, to cane can improve vineyard yields and canker diseases that and longevity. affect the wounds will + Cordon-to-cane conversion can cost likely be pruned out by $500-$1,200 per acre, which can be the second pass. Addicompensated for with increased protionally, cordon training ductivity and longer vineyard life. with spur pruning localizes the fruit along the + Cane pruning can be used to finefruiting wire, and makes tune the balance of each individual mechanical leafing and vine better than cordon pruning. harvesting easy, as long as the trellis is suited for the machines. Unfortunately, the popularity of cordon training has led to problems with canker diseases of grapevines, particularly Eutypa lata and Bot canker, caused by Botryosphaeria species. These fungal pathogens enter vines through pruning wounds and cause death of arms, cordons and vines, lowering vine productivity. Many growers also report a noticeable decline in productivity as cordon-pruned vines age, attributable to factors other than canker diseases. SHORT COURSE J a n - F e b 2 0 13 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 31