Is there a connection between extreme weather events and the occurrence of Berry Shrivel?

Abstract

Berry Shrivel is a physiological disorder of grapevine with unknown origin, which causes irregularly quantitative and qualitative yield losses. A comparison of weather conditions with the occurrence of the disorder in single years in South Tyrol showed, that phases of strong heat and advanced dryness prior to the beginning of the ripening period, followed by wet conditions around or immediately after the beginning of the ripening, seem to contribute to the emergence of the disorder. Beside the early regulation of the yield, prior to the beginning of ripening, a better targeted regulation of the drip irrigation and an appropriate management of the leaf area, may be further approaches for reducing the losses by this physiological disorder.