Vineyards may be sprayed with products that are not considered agricultural chemicals. Fertilisers, particle film applications (sunscreens) and plant ‘elicitors’ are not regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and do not typically have maximum residue limits or label mandated withholding periods associated with their use. These products will not appear in Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture (the ‘Dog Book’). The AWRI recommendation for foliar fertilisers is use no later than 60 days before harvest. For these and other types of canopy-applied products, contact your winery or grape purchaser prior to use.
The AWRI encourages producers supplying the viticulture market to undertake fermentation and wine sensory studies to confirm that their products do not have negative side effects.