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Wine grape fertility programs vary significantly with variety, soil and climate conditions as well as age of the vineyard. The expansion of the "organic" wine industry also adds more variability to the types, amounts and frequencies of nitrogen fertilization. BioStar's Super Six 6-0-5 liquid organic fertilizer represents a significant breakthrough in organic fertilizer technology and, as such, recommendations below focus upon organic production.
In general total nitrogen demand for wine grapes is approximately 160-180 lbs. N/acre/season. The seasonal breakdown of soil organic matter adds about 20 lbs. N/acre/year for each 1.0% level of organic matter in the soil to begin with as organic fertility will enhance and increase organic matter mineralization. One can also assume a 50% carry over from fertilizer applications the previous year. As such, seasonal applications of organic fertilizer N would range from 80-100 lbs. N/acre.
Super Six contains 0.57 lbs. N/gallon that would require 140 to 175 gallons/acre/season. The greatest demand for nitrogen in wine grape cultivation is during the spring months for green shoot formation and about 2 weeks pre-bloom period during fruit formation. Cooler spring soil temperatures make organic fertilizers less available until warmer conditions prevail but the use of Super Six liquid organic allows for rapid response since it is the first organic liquid with a high N level.
Another advantage of Super Six is the ability to foliar apply with spray equipment since it is the only high nitrogen liquid organic. Some growers make small nitrogen applications just prior to harvest to increase berry color and a foliar application of 2-10 lbs. N/acre would be a rapid and efficient way to accomplish low level applications.