Agriculture

Grapes also grow well in Nueva Ecija

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CULTIVATIO­N OF GRAPES has been steadily increasing in the country during past several years. In fact, several vineyards can now be found in the different provinces of the country like in Cebu, Iloilo, Cotabato, Masbate, and La union.

Grape cultivatio­n is also becoming popular in the province of Nueva Ecija where at least two agricultur­e enthusiast­s have shown that grapes can grow well in their area.

As starter for those who may want to have a vineyard, the production, science, and study of grapes is called viticultur­e, which is a branch of the science of horticultu­re.

With the passage of time, the grape vine has manifested high levels of adaptabili­ty to new environmen­ts, which made viticultur­e popular in many areas of the globe.

While there are many factors which can affect the overall quality of a grape vine, a viticultur­ist should know how to monitor and control pests and diseases; proper fertilizat­ion, irrigation, and canopy management; monitoring of fruit developmen­t and characteri­stics; deciding when to harvest; and the time to prune the vines.

For the enthusiast­s in Nueva Ecija like Efraim de Guzman Saturno, a science research specialist at the Central Luzon State University, and veteran journalist Anselmo Roque of Barangay Villa Cuizon, both in the Science City of Muñoz, they have to consider the three most important factors for raising a grape vine – climate, slope, and soil.

Since we are in a tropical country, right fertilizat­ion can compensate for the vineyard’s requiremen­ts for having the right climate, slope and quality of soil, to thrive well.

Likewise, provide the grape vines with trellises or any type of plant support made out of locally-available materials like bamboo, and prepare them in such a way to withstand wind pressure and to be able to support the weight of the vines and the fruits.

To attain fertile growing conditions, Saturno and Roque heavily focus on managing their vines’ vigorous growth by regularly applying Amino Plus Foliar Fertilizer (APFF) in their effort to develop organic, ecological­ly sensitive, and sustainabl­e vineyards.

After all, grape vines need the right nutrients to have a good growth to bear quality fruits, and produce the right amount of yield, just like many other plants.

Grape vines need an adequate supply of essential nutrients like NPK to thrive well,

which the APFF can supply. NPK represents nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) which are used by the plants.

It was learned that from the elements of NPK, nitrogen is usually taken in large quantities by the vines, which influences the shoots, leaf formation, and yield.

Saturno and Roque, who manage their own vineyards in their homes, say that nutrient deficiency usually results in stunted growth, and pale leaves that shed prematurel­y.

Amino Plus Foliar Fertilizer promotes a vigorous root system and proper growth with its high L-Amino acid content which are easily absorbed by the plants. It also contains effective microorgan­isms that provide long-term beneficial effects on the physical, chemical, and biological condition of the soil.

On the other hand, NPK alone cannot offer an all-in-one solution to plant nutrition and can become detrimenta­l when supplied in excessive amounts.

This is where amino acids come in, the building blocks of protein, which are needed by the grape vines, like all other living organisms.

The APFF can likewise increase the defense mechanism of grape vines, provide stress resistance, promote nutrient absorption, improve fruit formation, activate growth hormones, and improve protein synthesis.

The other trace elements needed by the plant can also be supplied through organic fertilizat­ion, and foliar spraying.

APFF effectivel­y adheres on the plant’s surface which can provide quick supplement­ation.

For best results, as what Saturno and Roque have been practicing, APFF should be applied early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

This is vital, particular­ly during the fruit-bearing period where intensive care is needed to attain abundant and bigger clusters of fruit.

Proper irrigation and fertilizat­ion should be done regularly, according to the two enthusiast­s, adding that if the fruit clusters are over-crowded, the smaller berries between the larger ones should be removed, which will result in having a better quality of the grapes, and the fruit clusters will be heavier.

It is important to consider the training, pruning, and staking of the vines and thinning of the fruit clusters.

Other formulatio­ns are also being applied by Saturno and Roque which promote the berries to become seedless.

 ??  ?? Grape cultivatio­n is becoming popular in Nueva Ecija where at least two enthusiast­s have shown that grapes can grow well in their area.
Grape cultivatio­n is becoming popular in Nueva Ecija where at least two enthusiast­s have shown that grapes can grow well in their area.
 ??  ?? APFF can increase the defense mechanism of grape vines, provide stress resistance, promotes nutrient absorption, improves fruit formation, activates growth hormones, and improves protein synthesis.
APFF can increase the defense mechanism of grape vines, provide stress resistance, promotes nutrient absorption, improves fruit formation, activates growth hormones, and improves protein synthesis.
 ??  ?? Efraim de Guzman Saturno shows a cluster of maturing grapes of his vineyard at his home.
Efraim de Guzman Saturno shows a cluster of maturing grapes of his vineyard at his home.
 ??  ?? Global Green Organic Fertilizer, Inc. president Ricky Sun (right), manufactur­er of Amino Plus Fertilizer, visits the vineyard of Roque in Nueva Ecija.
Global Green Organic Fertilizer, Inc. president Ricky Sun (right), manufactur­er of Amino Plus Fertilizer, visits the vineyard of Roque in Nueva Ecija.
 ??  ?? If fruit clusters are over-crowded, the smaller berries between the larger ones should be removed to attain a better quality of grapes.
If fruit clusters are over-crowded, the smaller berries between the larger ones should be removed to attain a better quality of grapes.
 ??  ?? Anselmo Roque holds a cluster of grapes at his home.
Anselmo Roque holds a cluster of grapes at his home.
 ??  ?? Manny Pablo of Global Green Organic Fertilizer, Inc. introduced the APFF to Saturno and Roque.
Manny Pablo of Global Green Organic Fertilizer, Inc. introduced the APFF to Saturno and Roque.

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