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Eksteenskuil and Realaboga farmers learn aerial grafting
Danie van Schalkwyk, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Stellenbosch
Emerging farmers from the Eksteenskuil community in the Keimoes district and the empowerment farm Realaboga at Kanoneiland are increasingly establishing grafted wine and raisin grapevines. To substitute dead scions in young vineyards with replacement vines is expensive due to the cost of grafted vines; as much as R11,20 for a Merbein Seedless grapevine grafted onto the rootstock 143 B Mgt. Old vines also die back for various reasons, but in many such instances the rootstock buds again and can be aerial grafted instead of planting a nursery vine in the place of the dead one. This also eliminates problems with re-establishment in the same plant position (plant hole). In cases where the scion only died and the rootstock buds again, a properly established root system is already in place and aerial grafted vines quickly fill the open gaps in the trellis.
Eksteenskuil and Realaboga farmers practising aerial grafting.
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Hansie Maasdorp concentrates on cutting a chip bud graft.
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Danie van Schalkwyk and André Schmidt of the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij presented a workshop at Sandeiland on 19 August 2009 to 15 emerging farmers from Eksteenskuil and Realaboga to teach the participants how to apply various aerial grafting methods to grapevines. This was a continuation of project WW18/21 of the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Winetech and the Dried Fruit Technical Services (DTS) which has provided training and technology transfer with regard to the cultivation of raisin and wine grapevines to emerging farmers for the past 10 years. Mr Van Schalkwyk first gave a multi-media presentation on a wide variety of grafting methods for nurseries and aerial grafting for the renewal of young and old grapevines, whereafter all participants were taught to apply the chip bud graft (Yema) and amphi graft (full boat shaped grafts) methods for aerial grafting (Photos 1 & 2). After most participants had adequately mastered the cutting of the chip bud grafts and the wrapping of the grafts, the group moved to Gerhard Coetzee’s plot where everybody had the opportunity to graft a rootstock in the vineyard. Mr Coetzee kept a record of which vine was grafted by each person and feedback will be given about their success. The grafting training will be followed up later in the season to give the participants an opportunity to practise their skills using the amphi graft method. Each participant received a comprehensive manual about different grafting methods which will enable them to try some of the methods on their own.
Eksteenskuil and Realaboga farmers busy with aerial grafting in the vineyard.
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Amazingly the participants mastered the splinter bud grafting method without a single cut to anyone’s fingers. The farmers who attended this training will benefit and save money by aerial grafting vines that have died back and are budding again, instead of incurring costs to buy grafted replacement vines. With financial support by Winetech and DTS, Mr Van Schalkwyk will continue to assist emerging farmers in these communities with similar training initiatives.
For more information contact Danie van Schalkwyk at ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, e-mail vschalkwykd@arc.agric.za.
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