Phosphorus may not grab attention like nitrogen or potassium, but it plays a foundational role in vine growth, fruit set, and overall vineyard performance. In this episode of Vineyard Underground, Fritz welcomes Dr. Terry Bates, Senior Research Associate at Cornell University and Director of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab for Cornell AgriTech, for a deep dive into phosphorus fundamentals.

Drawing on decades of research in plant nutrition and root biology, Dr. Bates explains what phosphorus is, where it comes from, and why it is essential for grapevines at the cellular level. From its role in energy transfer and DNA structure to its influence on root growth and fruit development, phosphorus is woven into nearly every aspect of vine physiology.

Vineyard owners and operators will walk away with useful guidance on managing phosphorus efficiently while protecting both yield and long-term soil health.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Phosphorus drives energy transfer, root development, and fruit set

• Soil pH directly impacts phosphorus availability and uptake

• Mycorrhizal fungi are essential partners in grapevine phosphorus nutrition

• Excess phosphorus application wastes money and reduces efficiency

• Tissue sampling helps balance nutrient supply, uptake, and vine demand

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Resources:

Visit www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/sampling to access Fritz's how-to guides and videos for proper sampling and target nutrient values.

Learn more about Mycorrhizal Fungi in Episode 75 - The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi for Vineyard Health with Dr. R. Paul Schreiner.

Come grow with Fritz through https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout.

Have a vineyard question? Go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.

Today's Guest:

Dr. Terry Bates is the Senior Research Associate at Cornell University and the Director of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab for Cornell AgriTech.

Connect with Terry

· Cornell Research & Publications - https://cals.cornell.edu/people/terry-bates

· The Efficient Vineyard Project - https://www.efficientvineyard.com/

Episode Sponsor:

Today's episode was brought to you by Shellt Grow Tubes and Bahco Tools.

Thank you to Shellt Grow Tubes for sponsoring today's episode. Shellt makes the ultimate grow tubes for grape vines and orchard trees. Their grow tubes are reusable, recyclable, and designed to grow with your vineyard by clicking together for taller or wider coverage. I exclusively recommend Shellt Grow Tubes to the growers I work with. Visit https://www.shellt.us/ and order with the code UNDERGROUND to save 15% off all online orders, plus free shipping within the continental United States.

Thank you to Bahco Tools for sponsoring today's episode. As innovators for more than 165 years, Bahco has introduced the most advanced tools in the world, and Bahco products are manufactured in factories across Europe. I exclusively prune with the Bahco ERGO™ Bypass Secateurs with Elastomer Coated Fixed Handle (size medium). Visit www.bahco.com/int_en to find a dealer near you to get the best pruning tools on the market, along with loppers, hedging tools, cutting blades, files, and more.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.