Abstract
The low-input viticultural training system ‘Semi-minimal pruned hedge’ (SMPH) is progressively being more widely applied in the Central European grapegrowing regions. The present study examined the influence of (i) the training system (SMPH versus the vertical shoot position (VSP) system), (ii) the timing of shoot topping in SMPH, and (iii) the effects of mechanical thinning in SMPH on the bunch rot epidemic, grape maturity, and yield. Six-year field trials on Pinot blanc in Luxembourg demonstrated that yield levels in non-thinned SMPH treatments were 74% higher, and total soluble solids (TSS) at harvest 2.2 brix lower than in VSP. Non-thinned SMPH delayed the bunch rot epidemic and the maturity progress by 18 and 11 days compared to VSP, respectively. Different shoot-topping timings in SMPH did not affect the tested parameters. Mechanical thinning regimes reduced the yield by 28% (moderate thinning) and 53% (severe thinning) compared to non-thinned SMPH and increased TSS by 0.8 and 1.3 brix, respectively. Delayed bunch rot epidemic and maturity progress give rise to the opportunity for a longer maturity period in cooler conditions, making this system of particular interest in future, warmer climatic conditions. Providing that yield levels are managed properly, SMPH might represent an interesting climate change adaptation strategy.
Highlights
In many traditional cool climate European grapegrowing regions, the vertical shoot positioning (VSP) system represents the standard viticultural training system [1]
Average growing season (April–October) temperatures ranged from 14.7 ◦ C in 2013 to 17.0 ◦ C in 2018
The present results indicate a decreaseper in shoot the percentage of bud compared burst as well as a well as a significantly reduced number of inflorescences in semi-minimal pruned hedge’ (SMPH) treatments to significantly reduced of inflorescences per shoot in SMPH treatments compared to VSP, VSP, confirming thenumber observations of Intrieri et al [3]
Summary
In many traditional cool climate European grapegrowing regions, the vertical shoot positioning (VSP) system represents the standard viticultural training system [1]. Winter pruning and canopy management in summer, in particular, are causing high production costs in VSP [2]. Minimal pruning (MP) systems developed in Australia were reported to reduce costs and susceptibility to bunch rot [2]. In European climate conditions, over-cropping, delayed ripening, and alternating yield levels are frequently observed in MP [3]. To overcome these limitations, Intrieri et al [3] suggested a novel hedge-shaped training system that enables mechanized pruning and mechanized harvesting, the ‘semi-minimal pruned hedge’ (SMPH). Studies by Intrieri et al [3]
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