BEST PRACTICE
Cool to be clean pruning hygiene Vineyard hygiene is important year-round, but especially so at pruning time. Before workers pick up the pruning secateurs, it’s always good to keep pruning hygiene front of mind. Prevent the spread
Benefits of good pruning hygiene methods
be phytotoxic and will need to be dried off before use.
When growers discard weak and
If poisoning is suspected, call 000 or contact www.health.gov.au/contacts/
infected canes and select healthy ones to wrap down, it has multiple
poisons-information-centre v
benefits.
References:
It can help promote greater bud
https://vinehealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ Footwear-and-Small-Hand-Tool-DisinfestationProtocol.pdf
health, improve yield and quality potential, and simplify pest and
www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-andbiological-sciences/pruning-tools
There are several ways growers and
disease monitoring and management
workers can help minimise the spread
programs.
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/ disinfection/efficacy.html
Establishing a good canopy can assist
www.syngenta.com.au/news/viticulture/usingpruning-keep-vineyards-disease-free
of pests and diseases in the vineyard. Ensure staff adhere to vineyard
in strong vine health, generating
hygiene protocols.
airflow, and potentially helping to
Clean and disinfect tools, equipment,
prevent disease.
and implements before use, before
Some common disinfectant products
moving to the next plant/row/patch, after working with infected plants, or using your tools at another site. Dispose of pruning waste especially from suspected infected vines. Waste
Two common disinfectants include bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and "rubbing alcohol" (isopropyl alcohol).
QUICK FACTS: - Dirty tools can spread disease - Tools exposed to dirt and moisture can transmit soil fungi, weeds and nematodes between sites - Secateurs and snips that make contact with affected plants
management options may include
Bleach is a common household
a waste pit away from vineyards,
product that eliminates bacteria,
burning or deep burial. Pest and
fungi and viruses from tools.
Plant pathogens like bacteria,
disease problems can accumulate
Disinfect pruning tools with sodium
fungi and viruses:
from season to season if infected
hypochlorite (2% solution), but be
plant material is left in the field with
aware that bleach can corrode metal
the vines.
with long-term use.
Don’t prune during rainfall, as some
Rubbing alcohol will disinfect surfaces
diseases can overwinter on infected
of tools against bacteria, fungi and
vines, and some trunk disease spores
viruses when used in concentrations
can infect up to 36 hours after rainfall.
of 70 per cent of more (according to
Train workers to be vigilant when
the Centre for Disease Control).
may transmit fungi and viruses
- can cause diseases that can kill or inhibit plant growth and productivity - are microscopic, so while your tools may look clean, these microorganisms may still be present - can be transferred to and infect
pruning. They should remove infected
It’s always important to read
plants through infected sap
canes and trim cordons back to
disinfectant labels (add disinfectant),
on pruning equipment, or via
healthy wood.
use as directed, wear personal
pruning waste, roots or soil and
protective equipment when the label
by insect vectors or personnel
Create a physical barrier to reduce the risk of infection by applying a fungicide, biological control agent or a paint directly to large cuts as soon as possible after pruning
recommends, store out of reach of children and vulnerable adults, and in a dry location with stable temperature. Never mix disinfectants with other chemicals. Chemicals used to disinfect can have harmful fumes or burn skin, and some chemicals could
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