Hail causes damage to orchards and vineyards in Rio Grande do Sul.

The hailstorm that hit the Sarandi region in Rio Grande do Sul last Monday (November 3rd) caused damage to vineyards and orchards, leading producers to seek technical guidance for managing the affected areas. To support farmers, the enologist and rural extension agent from Emater/RS, Thompsson Didoné, developed practical recommendations for assessing damage and recovering plants.

According to Didoné, the first measure after a hailstorm is to apply copper-based products, combined with a spreading adhesive. "The goal is to help the plant heal the wounds as quickly as possible, preventing necrosis and excessive energy and nutrient expenditure," he explains. This practice also reduces the risk of spreading pathogenic fungi in the affected areas.

The extension agent emphasizes that it is essential to assess the phenological stage of the crop to define the management. In the case of grapevines, the flowering phase is the most critical. “Hail damage interrupts the production of photoassimilates and can cause collapse in vegetative organs. When the root system stops receiving photoassimilates from the canopy, a degeneration process begins, mainly affecting the finer roots,” he explains.

The decision regarding crop management depends on several factors, such as the age of the orchard, the economic conditions of the property, the percentage of affected fruit, the degree of damage, the stage of fruit development, the intended use of the produce, and the technological level of the area. "Generally, it is recommended to remove damaged fruit so that the plant does not waste energy on unviable fruit and can direct it towards recovery," advises Didoné.

Regarding pruning, the technician emphasizes the need to observe the vigor of the branches. In severely affected orchards or vineyards, branches with weak vigor should be completely removed. When vigor is moderate, pruning is recommended while preserving a single basal bud. Stronger and more vigorous branches can be kept with two or three basal buds.

“In severely affected vineyards, the focus should be on plant recovery, not on trying to obtain a new harvest this year,” emphasizes the extension agent. “Ideally, efforts should be concentrated on healing the wounds, reducing stress, and stimulating sprouting to ensure productive potential in future harvests,” he concludes.