The effect of a seaweed fertilizer on vines

Abstract

Grape vines can survive without the addition of extra fertilizers. Nevertheless, fertilizers will compliment the soil and help the plants to sustain themselves and produce good fruits. The role of the various macro and micronutrients is explained with respect to vine requirements. An organic fertilizer derived from seaweed, SEAGOLD, is tried and tested as a source of nutrients to replace the conventional NPK fertilizers and even pesticides. SEAGOLD is marketed as two types of compost, Seasoil and SupaBrew and a seaweed extract, Supakelp 600. The trials were carried out at Meridiana Wine Estate on Merlot and Petit Verdot varieties. Due to the excessively cold winter, bud break was delayed by about six weeks. This led to a reduction in collecting enough data to present this report in time. Consequently the effect of SEAGOLD against conventional fertilizer application could not be assessed properly. From the data collected, it was concluded that there are no substantial differences between the two types of fertilizers. The SEAGOLD way of fertilizer application is definitely more labour intensive, and this puts it at a disadvantage. The yield and quality of the grapes harvested further on in the season will give a better assessment as to whether SEAGOLD is a better alternative to conventional fertilizers.