Grapegrowers warned about powdery mildew

Grapegrowers are being warned to keep an eye out for a fungal disease which appearing in a growing number of vineyards in the Marlborough region. Powdery mildew commonly affects grapevines at this time of year and in extreme cases can result in crops being written off. Marlborough Wine Growers chair Clive Jones said most growers were aware of the disease but an increase in incidents over the past two years had prompted a fresh warning to be more vigilant.