Application of nitrogen sources on grapevines and effect on yield and must composition

Gustavo Brunetto,Paulo Ademar Avelar Ferreira,Eduardo Girotto,George Wellington Bastos de Melo,Carlos Alberto Ceretta

doi:10.1590/s0100-29452013000400015

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the yield, total N content in leaves and must composition of grapes from the Cabernet Sauvignon variety subjected to the application of urea and organic compost. Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines in Rosário do Sul, RS, Brazil, in 2008, 2009 and 2010 were subjected to annual application of 40 kg N ha-1 in the form of organic compost and urea, and compared to unfertilized grapevines. In the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 crop seasons, leaves were collected for analysis of total N content. At maturation of the grapes, the yield and quality attributes of the must were evaluated. The application of N sources, especially organic compost, increased the N content in the whole leaf at full flowering. Application of organic compost and urea has little effect on grape yield and does not affect the total nutrient content in the must, nor the enological attributes.

Highlights

The Campanha Gaucha region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, located in the southeast of the state, is one of the main winegrowing regions of Brazil, with especially red wineproducing grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon being grown
Organic compost applied on the soil surface and without incorporation is expected to have a smaller area of contact with the soil and, a lower rate of N release, which may minimize its transfer to the atmosphere through soil surface runoff and through leaching into the soil profile (LORENSINI et al, 2012), probably increasing the synchronism between N release and uptake by the plant (MELO et al, 2012)
Slower release of nutrients is expected, including N; its transfer to the atmosphere in the form of NH3-N may be minimized from the soil surface runoff solution and from leaching, especially in the form of NO3--N in the soil profile (LORENSINI et al, 2012)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The Campanha Gaucha region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, located in the southeast of the state, is one of the main winegrowing regions of Brazil, with especially red wineproducing grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon being grown In this region, soils generally have a sandy surface horizon and low or medium organic matter content, which gives them low capacity for supplying mineral nitrogen (N) to plants (BRUNETTO et al, 2007). Grapevines grown in sandy soils with low or medium organic matter content generally utilize a small quantity of the N derived from the urea (BRUNETTO et al, 2008b) This has been attributed to N transfer through leaching, especially in the form of nitrate (NO3--N) in the soil profile, and by soil surface runoff (LORENSINI et al, 2012). This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of application of organic compost and urea on yield, total N content in the leaves and must composition of grapes from Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSSION

CONCLUSIONS