Integrated production of grapes for juice in southern Brazil

Abstract: New concepts of agricultural production should be introduced in Brazilian agriculture to become competitive. The integrated system is an agricultural technology that should be also applied to grape production. The purpose of this work was to evaluate two systems of agriculture production. Two plots (Plot IP), Vitis labrusca grapes and Hybrid, were chosen in fields conducted within the integrated production system (IPS) for juice production. All practices adopted in the plots were documented in a field book to ensure the traceability. The results were compared with Conventional System (CS) production of the same cultivars situated in two neighboring areas. The IPS plots provided a decrease in the amount of fungicides by 36.46% (fungicide g/ha). In Conventional System, 3,000 ml herbicide/ha were used. In IPS, herbicide was not applied due to the maintenance of the ground cover. Grapes produced in this system resulted in a yield 32.08% higher than in CS. There was no insecticide application in any of the two systems. The IPS provided a reduction in pesticide application without affecting yields and the biological assays revealed no presence of metabolism inhibitors. With the IPS, it is possible to product high-quality grapes that are safe for both consumers and farmers.