Abstract
(1) Background: Precision agriculture has been used mostly to study spatial variability in vineyards for winemaking. Nevertheless, there is little available information on the impacts of its use on table grape vineyards under different slope conditions. (2) Methods: The aim was to study the spatial variability of production and berry quality in ‘Flame Seedless’ vines established on a flat (3% slope) and sloping (23% slope) terrain in the Chilean hyper-arid northern region. (3) Results: The results showed that in both vineyards, the measured variables presented a high spatial variability according to their coefficient of variation, being higher in slope than in the flat vineyard. The geostatistical analysis showed that 82% of the measured variables presented a strong spatial dependence in the slope vineyard, whereas 45% and 55% of the variables measured in the flat vineyard presented strong and moderate spatial dependence, respectively. Elevation was related to berry quality parameters in both vineyards, while trunk vine circumference was related to berry quality for the slope vineyard and to yield for the flat vineyard. (4) Conclusions: There is an important spatial variability in table grape vineyards mostly those cultivated on slope sites. Therefore, precision agriculture tools can be useful for zoning table grape vineyards, and thus improving both economic returns of viticulturists and sustainability.
Highlights
Chile is the main table grape exporter in the world, with this crop accounting for a total of 53,523 ha of planted surface [1]
Regarding the yield and yield components (Table 2) both vineyards presented a high coefficient of variation, which was higher for the slope than the flat plot
Spatial models have been proposed for the vine water status [7], the accumulation of soluble solids in grape berries [31] and vine phenological stages [34]. This knowledge will make it possible to improve the sustainability of table grape production, by being able to perform site-specific management in the production systems. This is the first study highlighting the spatial variability of the yield and quality table grapes, growing under the hyper-arid conditions of northern Chile
Summary
Chile is the main table grape exporter in the world, with this crop accounting for a total of 53,523 ha of planted surface [1]. Some reports have revealed significant spatial variability in vineyards with respect to yield [12,13], bunch composition [14], vegetative growth [15], water status [7], and soil physicochemical characteristics [5]. Horticulturae 2021, 7, 254 water status [7], and soil physicochemical characteristics [5] These investigations were developed in vineyards planted for winemaking, and currently, there is scarce information available regarding spatial variability in vineyards for table grape producin vineyards planted for winemaking, and currently, there is scarce information available tion.
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