February 2020 - 2

Get ajump on frost with KDL®
Many grape growing areas routinely face spring frost(s). The
extent of damage from a frost event depends on many
environmental factors that growers can't control but there are
steps growers can take to mitigate damage. KDL is a unique
sugar-based potassium that when applied foliar within 12-48
hours of a frost event has been proven to help improve frost
tolerance and mitigate damage.
Foliar applications of KDL can help condition emerging buds,
young shoot growth and developing flower clusters to better
tolerate subfreezing temperatures. As vines begin to leaf-out
demand for nitrogen peaks. At early growth stages the nitrogen
to potassium ratio in all tissues strongly favors nitrogen. Young
tissue and flower clusters high in nitrogen that have not yet
hardened off are much more susceptible to frost damage.
Applying KDL prior to a frost event can also improve frost
tolerance by tightening cell tissues and increasing plant sugar
levels - nature's " anti-freeze " and by temporarily altering the
nitrogen to potassium ratio which helps increase cell turgor.
Growers that have used KDL vouch for its efficacy.
After two killing frosts had hit us along about April 10-11, we were
down to two buds per shoot. We found out about KDL and applied it 24
hours ahead of another frost that came on about April 19 with a
temperature of 26 degrees. But this time there was no bud loss or
damage whatsoever. Instead we had primary buds on new growth and
fantastic bloom and fruit set. We carried 6 to 10 tons of grapes per acre
and feel we were very fortunate.
Dick Faltz, Fox Valley Winery
Oswego, Illinois
We're a small estate winery, so our crop is everything and losing it
would be devastating. Agro-K rushed me some KDL and I applied it
ahead of the frosts that reached 25 degrees on April 10 and 27 degrees
on April 11. I ran out midway down the last row. After the freeze the
treated vines were absolutely perfect but the untreated vines all had
brown leaves.
John Burns, Barrel Head Winery
Dubuque, Iowa
The frost protection we had with KDL was phenomenal. In April we had
one day at 26 degrees and two days at 27. We applied KDL along with
Sysstem™-CAL 24 hours in advance of each frost. Some young nonbearing
vines were not sprayed and froze down to the ground.
Everything we sprayed was relatively unscathed. It was a day-andnight
difference.
Eric Nelson, Oak Creek Vineyards
Raymond, Nebraska
We sprayed KDL before frosts in early April and afterward found there
were only two plants in the whole vineyard with some damage. I
feared we would lose hundreds of plants. Instead we had increased
© 2020 Agro-K Corporation. Sysstem-Cal is a trademark of Agro-K Corporation.
KDL is a registered trademark of Agro-K Corporation.
flowering and more fruit set, and larger, premium quality yield with
higher brix. A growing season that appeared in jeopardy turned into a
dream growing year.
Gary Balcome, Spring Creek Vineyard
Millville, Minnesota
We had two nights with temperatures in the lower 20s. I had sprayed
KDL with Sysstem-CAL. The grass looked dead and you could tell every
step I took walking out to the tractor. But when it was over we had a
little damage, but it really wasn't bad. Considering the frosts and the
drought, I am happy with the yield. The fruit was in excellent condition
and the winery was happy with them. The vines look very healthy,
with green foliage.
Don Beyer
Mitchell, Iowa
If we had not used KDL we would have lost a significant amount of our
2012 crop when the frosts hit in April. KDL saved the Frontenac Gris,
which has been our money crop. The Marquette and the Chambourcin
definitely benefitted from the KDL. The table grapes are in the lowest
area of the vineyard and are the most sensitive. They showed the
strongest visual effect of the KDL.
Scott Ellenbecker, Round Lake, Minnesota
Round Lake Vineyards
AGRO-K CORPORATION
8030 Main Street, NE * Minneapolis, MN 55432
800-328-2418 * www.agro-k.com
Science-Driven NutritionSM
http://www.agro-k.com
February 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2020
