McArtney S., Ward S., Dayatilake G. A. and Wünsche, J.N.
for HortResearch, Hawkes Bay
Report to Garuda Homeopathics Ltd (edited for presentation)
Executive Summary
Introduction
Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
In 2003, one Garuda Homeopathics Ltd. products; 'BirdScare' was evaluated in a trial on Cabernet Sauvignon winegrapes growing in a commercial vineyard in the Hawke's Bay region.
This trial revealed significant positive effects fruit quality (bird damage).
• Multiple applications of 'BirdScare' had no effect on the incidence of bird damage under high bird pressure, but significantly reduced the proportion of bunches with a high damage score, and increased the proportion of bunches with a low damage score. The net effect of these responses would be to reduce the development of sour rots within the crop. Any further research with 'BirdScare' should include an evaluation of the product's efficacy under moderate bird pressure, and include microvinification to ensure that there are no negative product effects on either fermentation or wine quality.
For further
information contact:
Dr Steven J. McArtney
HortResearch
Private Bag 1401
Havelock North, New Zealand
Tel: +64-6-877 8196
Email: smacrtney@hortresearch.co.nz
Organic exports from New Zealand exceeded $70 million in 2002, these exports were primarily kiwifruit, processed vegetables and apples. Approximately 9% of apple orchards are currently fully certified for organic production. With increasing volumes of organic production, numerous biodynamic preparations have become available for use within the horticulture sector. Both organic and non-organic producers have an interest in the potential benefits these preparations offer. Whist these preparations are claimed to have efficacy in improving plant growth and health and/or controlling various pests and diseases, these claims have seldom been independently tested and verified.
The objectives of this project were to:
• Evaluate the effectiveness of ‘Bird Scare' as a bird repellent by measuring any effects on crop damage by birds following treatment.
The biodynamic preparation ‘BirdScare' was applied as a dilute spray (equivalent to 800 L spray mix er hectare) to 2-vine plots of mature Cabernet Sauvignon vines using a motorised knapsack sprayer (Table 2). A water control was included for comparative purposes. The treatments were arranged in a randomised block design with five replicates. Treatments were applied on three dates (7 March, 19 March and 3 April 2003) at the recommended label rates.
Table 2. Description of bird repellent treatments applied to mature Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines in Hawke's Bay.
Treatment Description |
Application
rate |
|
|
Water Control |
- |
'BirdScare' |
250 |
The effect of ‘BirdScare' was evaluated at harvest by assessing the percentage of bunches with some bird damage (incidence) and the amount of bird damage on affected bunches (severity). The incidence of bird damage was assessed on all bunches per vine in the study. The severity assessments were carried out on a random sample of ten bunches per vine. Severity was rated by assigning a score according to the amount of damage observed within each bunch (low severity = 0-24% of berries within the bunch having some bird damage; moderate severity = 25-9% of berries within the bunch having some bird damage. If the ‘BirdScare' treatment delayed fruit maturity then this would reduce the attractiveness of the fruit to birds, and account for a reduced incidence/severity of bird damage at harvest.
Results were analysed by general linear model procedures using the SAS statistical software (version 8). Significant differences were determined at the 5% level of significance (P<0.05).
Damage
incidence
The incidence of bird damage on fruit from both treated and untreated vines
was approximately 80%, indicating severe bird pressure at the trial location.
There was no effect of treatment on the incidence of clusters with bird damage
(P treatment = 0.24). Bird damage was present on 83%
of the clusters on control vines, whereas this figure was 77% for clusters from
vines treated with ‘BirdScare'. (5% -ed.)
Damage
severity
‘BirdScare' treatment reduced the number of bunches with a high damage severity
score and increased the number of bunches with a low damage severity score compared
to the water control (Figure 4).
Figure 4. effects of ‘BirdScare' on the severity of bird damage in Cabernet Sauvignon winegrapes (Hawke's Bay, 2003). Low severity = 0-24% of berries within the bunch having some bird damage; Moderate severity = 25-49% of berries within the bunch having some bird damage; High severity = 50-100% of berries within the bunch having some bird damage. Vertical bars are +/- standard deviation.
Juice
Soluble Sugars
There was no effect on ‘BirdScare' on juice soluble sugars concentration, indicating
that the effects of this product on bird damage were no an indirect effect due
to differences in fruit maturity.
There were some significant positive effects of the biodynamic products used in these studies on fruit quality.
• Multiple applications of 'BirdScare' had no effect on the incidence of bird damage under high bird pressure, but significantly reduced the proportion of bunches with a high damage score, and increased the proportion of bunches with a low damage score. The net effect of these responses would be to reduce the development of sour rots within the crop. Any further research with 'BirdScare' should include an evaluation of the product's efficacy under moderate bird pressure, and include microvinification to ensure that there are no negative product effects on either fermentation or wine quality.
( end of report )
BirdScare Information
BirdScare is made from a mixture of homeopathic biodynamic herbal preparations. It is BioGro registered (IFOAM) and exempt from registration under the NZ governmements ACVM regulations.
BirdScare is sprayed on the plant and soil of a given area. Once dry, it works from within the plant and soil, to make the area 'unpalatable' energetically, for the birds to remain in. BirdScare , being homeopathic uses the like cures like, principle. BirdScare is a ‘homeopathic' bird which ‘cures‘ or harmonises the bird influence of the sprayed area.
Growers report the birds simple leave and stay away. Often the type of bird in the area changes. The destructive birds leave and often others that do not cause damage take their place.
Recent reports from kiwifruit 'gold' growers show they have had good success keeping birds off their sweet flower buds, when BirdScare was applied twice at a 7 -10 day interval. A third spray could then be applied after 3 weeks, as the influence builds after each application.