Nutrient Uptake and Distribution in a Mature `Pinot noir' Vineyard

Abstract

The nutrient uptake and distribution patterns for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg were determined in mature (23 to 24 year old), field-grown, rainfed grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. `Pinot noir') growing in a red hill soil in Oregon in 2001 and 2002. Biomass, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient contents of all plant organs, including roots, were determined on 14 sampling dates over 2 years. There was no seasonal change in the standing biomass of primary roots (fine feeder roots), small woody (<4 mm diameter) or large woody (>4 mm diameter) roots. Trunk biomass also did not change during the 2 years, but all other vine organs showed significant seasonal changes in biomass. The rate of N uptake was greatest at bloom, when remobilization from reserves was also high. Nitrogen was also taken up after leaf fall in 2001, but not in 2002, when an early frost occurred before soil moisture recovery by fall rains. Uptake of N, K, and Ca from soil was similar between years, even though canopy demand for N and K was greater in 2002 (significantly larger crop). Phosphorus uptake from soil was lower in 2002 than in 2001, which was most likely due to the drier conditions in 2002. A greater quantity of canopy N, K, and especially P was supplied from stored reserves in the drier 2002 growing season. About 50% of canopy requirements for N and P were remobilized from reserves in the trunk and roots by the time of fruit maturity in 2002. Only 15% of canopy K and <5% of canopy Ca or Mg came from stored reserves in 2002. Our findings indicate that nonirrigated grapevines grown in Oregon acquire nutrients from soil earlier in the growing season and have a greater reliance on stored reserves of N and P than reported in previous studies from other growing regions. Replenishment of nutrient reserves occurred to large extent during the postharvest period. Rainfed vineyards in Oregon may require different nutrient management practices than irrigated vineyards, since low soil moisture may limit summer uptake of P.