The first stage in the grapevine cycle: biostimulant solutions to stimulate bud break

In the past few weeks, there are exiting signs of the arrival of spring in our vineyards. It is the time when grapevines "bleed", one of the most moving sights in the whole of its growth cycle. This "bleeding" is a signal that the period of winter dormancy is over and that the vine is gradually coming back to life. Bleeding marks the start of bud break in vines when the plant re-triggers its activity  from its root system.  

Managing grapevines at this stage requires the use of biostimulant solutions such as Bryosei, designed by Seipasa to enhance sap flow between vascular bundles and to boost vegetative development at the initial stage of bud break.

Although the time when bud break occurs within the grapevine's cycle depends on each individual variety, it usually begins towards the end of winter and lasts throughout spring. Vines have been dormant in the winter months and after this period of dormancy their vital activity starts again with the onset of bud break. At this stage, buds on the vine start to swell, they become longer, and eventually tiny green tips start to show, which are the new shoots. 

What happens during the initial phenological stages of the vine's cycle is nothing other than confirmation of the course of Nature. With the rise in temperatures that heralds the end of winter, the plant's cellular activity picks up. Sap starts to flow again, giving rise to the characteristic "bleeding" in vines, marking the emergence of the plant's tender shoots. From this point onwards the canes begin to show the first leafy shoots that will become the vine's future leaves. 
It is important remember that how and when bud break occurs in vines depends on many different factors such as the climatic conditions, grape variety, altitude, hours of exposure to sunlight and the way in which winter pruning has been carried out. 

Climate is a determining factor. Although cold winters tend to bring forward bud break in the grapevine (due to the accumulated winter chill hours that the plant needs to emerge from the period of winter dormancy), the first spring frosts can do a lot of damage, freezing and killing off the first shoots.

Vine bud break: biostimulant solutions

From the start of bud break in vines, from the moment that the plant has a leaf mass, we recommend applying treatments that provide the plant with an input of energy and help with this process of initial growth in the grapevine cycle.   

Bryosei is a biostimulant solution designed by Seipasa to stimulate bud break and vegetative development in vines. Applied after the start of bud break, Bryosei allows sap to flow more rapidly in the vascular bundles, in turn encouraging quick absorption and translocation through the leaves, stem and roots.

Also, its zinc-rich composition activates enzymes required for protein synthesis, while also stimulating bud break. In addition, its manganese encourages the synthesis of chlorophyll, which is essential to produce carbohydrates. 

Bryosei also acts by regenerating and healing plant tissues that may have been damaged after desuckering or green pruning, during which unwanted vines shoots are removed to curb excessive leaf mass and help the bunches to develop correctly. At this point Bryosei's copper content, complexed with lignosulfonic acid, is involved in the synthesis of lignin, and contributes decisively to the process of healing wounds.  

Biostimulation of the vine root system

As mentioned at the start of this article, bud break begins at the vine's source of energy, its roots. The plant resumes its activity by absorbing micronutrients and then accumulating and mobilising its reserves. At this stage, Seipasa's vine growing strategy includes the recommendation of applying  Radisei, a biostimulant designed to stimulate root development in vines and to unblock the soil micro and macronutrients, that are essential for the vine, and make them available to the plant during the whole of its development. 

Bud break is an exciting time for all grapevine lovers.  This resurgence in the vine's activity must necessarily be accompanied by treatments to ensure the success of the harvest.