Mechanical pruning and soil organic amendments in vineyards of Syrah: effects on grape composition

Manuel Botelho,Jorge Ricardo-Da-Silva,Amândio Cruz,Daniel F Duarte,Rogério De Castro,Diana L Faria,Henrique Ribeiro

doi:10.20870/oeno-one.2021.55.1.4512

Manuel Botelho, Jorge Ricardo-Da-Silva + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2021.55.1.4512

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Journal: OENO One	Publication Date: Mar 12, 2021
Citations: 4	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Lisbon, Agriculture and Food

Abstract

Aim: The interaction of mechanized pruning systems and soil organic amendment can increase vine productivity. However, since the increase in productivity may affect grape composition, this study aimed to understand the effects of the interaction between these two practices.Methods and materials: Two field trials were implemented in Shiraz vineyards in two different wine regions. Mechanical hedge pruning was compared with hand spur pruning and four different organic amendments were tested: biochar, municipal solid waste compost, cattle manure and sewage sludge.Results: Mechanical pruning reduced the total soluble solids (TSS) and pH of the grapes, but had no effects on the other variables. Organic amendments also reduced TSS, especially sewage sludge, and tended to reduce total anthocyanins and total phenols. The effect of the interaction between both factors on grape composition was never significant. A negative relationship between yield and TSS was observed, while titratable acidity had no relationship with yield. Total anthocyanins were also negatively related to yield. A positive relation between TSS and total anthocyanins was also observed.Conclusions: The results show that the combination of mechanical pruning and soil organic amendment is a powerful tool for increasing productivity, but it has some effects on grape composition.Significance and impact of study: The reduction in some fruit composition variables showed that, while mechanical pruning does not significantly affect grape composition, the choice of type and amount of organic amendment will depend on the destination of the grapes.

Highlights

The adoption of mechanized pruning systems leads to significant increases in production (Clingeleffer, 1984; Lopes et al, 2000; Keller and Mills, 2007)
The juice pH was lower with mechanical pruning (MEC) every year, but in 2015 the differences only existed in Quinta do Côro (QC) (Table 2)
The results show that the increase in yield promoted by mechanical pruning and soil organic amendment decreased grape total soluble solids (TSS), while titratable acidity (TA), total anthocyanins and total phenols were not affected

Summary

Introduction

The adoption of mechanized pruning systems leads to significant increases in production (Clingeleffer, 1984; Lopes et al, 2000; Keller and Mills, 2007). This yield increase is not normally associated with a reduction in grape quality (Gatti et al, 2011; Palma et al, 2010) - except for when production exceeds the productive capacity of vines (Bovio and Lisa, 1996) - and may even, in many cases, result in higher grape quality (Clingeleffer, 2009; Terry and Kurtural, 2011). Low fertility is correlated with low soil organic matter content, which can be improved by applying organic amendments from different sources containing high levels of organic matter and substantial amounts of nutrients (Ribeiro et al, 2009; Fangueiro et al, 2012; Illera‐Vives et al, 2015; Botelho et al, 2020)

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