Sweeter Grapes, Healthier Vines, Better Soil: BEST Farming Systems Impresses at Uniq Fruit Farm in Gurun, Kedah in 2019

Benefits

Improved Vineyard Growth and Grape Quality:

• Larger vines
• Even plant growth
• Better resistance to pest and diseases
• Larger berry size
• Better colour contrast
• More even ripening
• Sweeter grapes (Average Brix increased by 24.33%)
• More apparent bloom coat on grape epidermis

Improved Soil Quality:

• Better water holding capacity
• Increased nutrients content

Additional Benefits:

• Improved seasonal control in vineyards
• Longer shelf-life
• Increased palatability

Data Result

Guttation Crystal

Guttation is a physiological process in plants where water is expelled from the edges of leaves through specialized structures called hydathodes. The advantages of guttation in plants are;

• Nutrient Redistribution: Guttation exudates contain various dissolved minerals and nutrients, which can be redistributed across the leaf surface, potentially enhancing nutrient availability and uptake.

• Hydration: During periods of high soil moisture and low transpiration, guttation helps in maintaining leaf turgor and overall plant hydration.

• Disease Resistance: Some studies suggest that guttation fluids contain antimicrobial compounds that can help in defending against pathogens.

• Salt Regulation: Guttation can help in excreting excess salts and other solutes from the plant system, thereby maintaining ionic balance and preventing salt stress.

• Growth and Development: The process of guttation can signal favourable water conditions in the soil, promoting better growth and development by ensuring that plants maintain their hydration status.

Uniq Fruit Farm in Gurun, Kedah, managed by Mr. Tan Soon Huat, cultivates various fruit crops, trialled BEST Farming Systems (BFS) in early 2019. Mr. Tan’s proprietary grape cultivation method enable the controls of seasonal conditions, enhancing growth cycles. During a visit on December 11, 2019, it was observed that BFS improved vineyard health, with larger, more evenly ripened grapes, better colour contrast, and more apparent bloom coating. Guttation crystals presence in the leaf and stems of the plant indicated sufficient water and nutrients, demonstrating BFS’s enhancement of soil moisture and nutrient content. Testing showed higher brix levels in BFS-trialled grapes (24.33%), indicating sweeter, higher-quality berries with better pest resistance and longer shelf life. After seeing the benefit bring upon by BFS, Mr. Tan plans to incorporates BFS throughout his farm.

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