Grape Harvest Research Articles

The common transcriptional subnetworks of the grape berry skin in the late stages of ripening

BackgroundWine grapes are important economically in many countries around the world. Defining the optimum time for grape harvest is a major challenge to the grower and winemaker. Berry skins are an important source of flavor, color and other quality traits in the ripening stage. Senescent-like processes such as chloroplast disorganization and cell death characterize the late ripening stage.ResultsTo better understand the molecular and physiological processes involved in the late stages of berry ripening, RNA-seq analysis of the skins of seven wine grape cultivars (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon) was performed. RNA-seq analysis identified approximately 2000 common differentially expressed genes for all seven cultivars across four different berry sugar levels (20 to 26 °Brix). Network analyses, both a posteriori (standard) and a priori (gene co-expression network analysis), were used to elucidate transcriptional subnetworks and hub genes associated with traits in the berry skins of the late stages of berry ripening. These independent approaches revealed genes involved in photosynthesis, catabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. The transcript abundance of most photosynthetic genes declined with increasing sugar levels in the berries. The transcript abundance of other processes increased such as nucleic acid metabolism, chromosome organization and lipid catabolism. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified 64 gene modules that were organized into 12 subnetworks of three modules or more and six higher order gene subnetworks. Some gene subnetworks were highly correlated with sugar levels and some subnetworks were highly enriched in the chloroplast and nucleus. The petal R package was utilized independently to construct a true small-world and scale-free complex gene co-expression network model. A subnetwork of 216 genes with the highest connectivity was elucidated, consistent with the module results from WGCNA. Hub genes in these subnetworks were identified including numerous members of the core circadian clock, RNA splicing, proteolysis and chromosome organization. An integrated model was constructed linking light sensing with alternative splicing, chromosome remodeling and the circadian clock.ConclusionsA common set of differentially expressed genes and gene subnetworks from seven different cultivars were examined in the skin of the late stages of grapevine berry ripening. A densely connected gene subnetwork was elucidated involving a complex interaction of berry senescent processes (autophagy), catabolism, the circadian clock, RNA splicing, proteolysis and epigenetic regulation. Hypotheses were induced from these data sets involving sugar accumulation, light, autophagy, epigenetic regulation, and fruit development. This work provides a better understanding of berry development and the transcriptional processes involved in the late stages of ripening.

Some Climatic Indices for Pinot noir Maturation at a Meteorological Station in Burgundy

This paper deals with relationships between climate and vineyard at a meteorological station in the wine-growing area of Burgundy. Statistical analyses were carried out on data for the 1975-1996 period. Climatic indices for Pinot noir grape harvests were developed for the 1975-1990 period using a composite analysis. These revealed that high spring temperatures, after a dry winter, led to an early date of Pinot noir harvest, whereas low spring temperatures, after a rainy winter, led to a late date of harvest. These indices proved to be accurate for the 1991-1996 period. The date of Pinot noir harvest could be estimated as early as May, before flowering, using these indices and linear regression methods for the 1975-1996 period. Results showed that the differences between real and estimated harvest dates were as little as five days.

Control over grape yield in the north-eastern region of Ukraine using mathematical modeling

In the practical cultivation of cultures, including grapes, prediction is an inherent attribute, since, under weather actions, it is possible to immediately take measures before one or another degree of the vegetation of culture is affected. In order to develop mathematical software of an information system for determining the probability of reduction in the yield of grapes, we observed the annual variation in temperatures. Moreover, to manage this process, its comparison was conducted with the development of grapevine by the phases of its development for 16 years. By employing the method of binary logistic regression, we revealed three most significant indicators (radiation background, the sum of efficient temperatures during flowering, annual total precipitation in the previous year), which were included into the mathematical model developed. The results obtained make it possible to estimate the risk of reduction in the harvest of grapes, which is grown under conditions of the Northeastern forest-steppe region of Ukraine (Kharkiv region). The developed model as a whole and its separate coefficients are statistically significant. It is also established that all the predictors, in accordance with the chi-squared test, impact the prediction of reduction in the yield of grape. The obtained results might be used when making a decision about the need of change in the agrotechnical methods for the purpose of improving productivity by changing the course of specific phases in the vegetation of grape.

Records from Marsh Foraminifera and Grapevine Growing Season Temperatures Reveal the Hydro-climatic Evolution of the Minho Region (nw Portugal) from 1856–2009

Abstract A hydro-climatic reconstruction is proposed for the Minho region (NW Portugal), integrating two different proxies: grape harvest dates (GHD) as a proxy of temperature variations, and benthic marsh foraminifera as a proxy of salinity of sediment interstitial waters. The reconstructed and measured mean maximum temperatures (GSTmax) of grapevine-growing season (March to August) were combined with data on benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the Caminha tidal marsh (Minho River estuary) to characterize the main hydro-climatic episodes in the region during the last 154 years. Results emphasize that, in the brackish setting of the Minho estuary, where foraminiferal species usually associated with low salinity occur, higher GSTmax had an impact on the hydrological balance of the marsh by enhancing evapotranspiration and increasing interstitial salinity. These conditions favored the occurrence of marsh species such as Jadammina macrescens and Trochammina inflata. The influence of the North Atlantic European meteorological teleconnection patterns on recent climatic variability of the Minho region was also examined from 1950–2009. Data support the hypothesis that persistent positive modes of spring-summer Scandinavian Oscillation Mode (SCA) and summer Eastern Atlantic/ Western Russia Oscillation Mode (EA/ WR) patterns triggered lower GSTmax, especially in the 1960s–1980s. Those conditions, in-phase with a positive precipitation anomaly (1958–1983), reduced the Caminha tidal marsh salinity, leading to the increase of low salinity species: Trochamminita salsa/irregularis, Haplophragmoides manilaensis, Miliammina fusca and Miliammina spp. Both proxies provide valuable tools for understanding the interactions between large-scale circulation modes and hydro-climatic conditions at regional and local scales.

THEORETICAL STUDYES CONCERNING ELASTIC BARS DEFORMATION FROM GRAPES HARVESTING MACHINE

<p>This paper presents a theoretical model for calculating the elastic bars subjected to bending plane, with application to gear the shaking Braud grape harvesters. Based on this model we can determine the deformation of the bars with the elliptic integrals.</p>

Viticulture in the tropical regions of India

By an intelligent appreciation of the vine's physiology grapes are being grown successfully in the tropical regions of India, where the vine stays evergreen throughout the year. The vines are pruned twice a year, once in April for vegetative growth and again in October for the fruiting cycle. The canes which bear the fruit al·e less than one year old. But, since the growth is continuous and rapid, the canes are equivalent in development differentiation to one-year-old canes of the warm temperate and sub-tropical grape growing regions. The ever present over-abundant crop potential of the vine has been exploited by separating out the period of maturity of fruit and maturity of the wood for the next crop. The yields are very high as the depressive effects of high crops are eliminated by 1back or foundation' pruning in April and by heavy doses of fertilizers and manures at the time of pruning. The growers have been able to harvest grapes almost the year round of the 'Bangalore Blue' ( V. labrusca type) by staggering the pruning. In the V. vinifera types, the grape season is also extended, within limits, by adjusting the pruning time. Because of shorter period in which the vines come into bearing, ready germination of seeds and the year round availability of flowers, this area is ideal for breeding and genetic studies. As has been shown by the successful grape cultivation in the tropical regions of India, it seems probable that some grapes will do equally well in other tropical regions of the world where the climatological conditions are similar.

A Comparative Study of the Phenolic and Technological Maturities of Red Grapes Grown in Lebanon.

Grape harvest date is determined according to the technological and phenolic maturities. These parameters were calculated for different red grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc) over four years (2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011) (642 samples). Titratable acidity and sugar content of the grapes were used to determine the technological maturity, whereas Glories (1 and 2) and ITV (Institut Technique de la Vigne et du Vin) methods were used to monitor their phenolic maturity. The ITV method allows the monitoring of phenolic maturity by the quantification of total polyphenol index and anthocyanins, while the Glories method enables the quantitative evolution of extractable anthocyanins and tannins of the grapes. A correlation was shown between the harvest dates obtained by both ITV and Glories (R2 = 0.7 – 0.93). Phenolic maturity of grapes can, therefore, be optimized by the application of both ITV and Glories. Similarly, a correlation was observed between technological and phenolic harvest dates. The effect of climate on the phenolic content of grapes was also studied. The highest temperatures (up to 25 °C) accompanied by the lowest rainfall (null value), induced the maximal concentration of polyphenols in grapes. Thermal and water stresses were also shown to enhance the grapes’ polyphenolic production.

THE CURRENT STATE OF THE VITIVINICULTURE SECTOR IN UKRAINE

The purpose of the paper is the identification of the current state and trends of the vitiviniculture sector in Ukraine. Methodology. There was made an analysis of the major indicators’ dynamics of the viticulture development during 1995–2016 years in terms of the assessment of the total vineyards area, productivity, and gross harvest of grapes. There are given results of the analysis of wine production producing dynamics for 2010–2016 years from the position of grape wines classification, namely: producing of grape wine, table wines, producing of champagne and sparkling wines, brandy and fortified wines. Results. It was determined that the results of the analysis of the major indicators dynamics of the winemaking (viniculture) development in Ukraine show structural changes, the situation of the wine market, and an untapped potential of the industry. Practical implications. The domestic viticulture and wine industry must be up to the world standards of production and quality in order to occupy a fitting place among world producers. The achievement of specified goals is only possible in case the industry output is on the sufficiently high level of development that induces to systematic search by scientists, practical farmers, winegrowers and winemakers together with the state support that provides ways and methods for improving the economic, technological, social, and other kinds of industry efficiency. Analysis of recent researches and publications. During the last decades, a great number of scientific and practical works in Ukraine were published, dedicated to the research of the current state and the development of the viticulture and winemaking industry. The publications of such authors as Avidzba A.M., Antipov V.P., Buzni A.N., Harkusha O. M., Matchyna I.H., Rybintsev. V.A., Sabluk P.T., Cherven I.I. etc. are particularly noteworthy. However, dynamic changes of the economic situation in the country indicate a necessity of the further examination of the industry and the search for solutions to the problems, which restrain its development. Statement of the problem. The previously unsolved parts of the common problem are a separation of factors, which influence the vitiviniculture sector of Ukraine and the search for ways of the progressive industry’s development recommencement.

Influence of harvest date on volatile and sensory profile of vine leaves infusions from two Portuguese red grape varieties

The main object of the present study was to investigate the volatile composition and sensorial profile of vine leaves infusions prepared from vine leaves collected 30 and 60 days after grape harvest from two Portuguese red grape varieties (Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz). Twelve volatile compounds were detected in vine leaves infusions (6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, 1-undecene, Z-citral, cedrenol, DL-limonene, 2,4-hexadien-2-ol, benzaldehyde, heptane-1,2,4,6-tetraene, cyclohexene 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl), 1,6-octadien-3-ol, 3,7-dimethyl, 5,9-undecadien-2-one-6,10-dimethyl-(5E) and α-cedrol). In addition, it was observed that the volatile compounds present in vine leaves infusions were dependent on the harvest time, with significantly major volatile content in vine leaves collected after 30 days of harvesting. Thus, it was more important the harvesting date for the volatile profile of vine leaves infusion than the vine leave grape cultivar. Similar tendency was also obtained for the sensory profile, with significant differences for astringency and aroma intensity attributes of vine leaves infusions according to the harvesting date.

Enhanced shelf life of Thompson Seedless grapes by application of chitosan

Shelf life of fruits has important role in attracting consumers. Longer shelf life in grapes results in better returns from the market and gives a chance to make available fruits in distant market also with retaining freshness in the supply chain. Edible coating of berries acts as barriers during processing, handling and storage, retarding deterioration in appearance as well as nutritional values and enhances physical, biochemical and sensory properties. Considering importance of chitosan and its application in fruits and vegetables, present study was carried out. A commercial product contained 10% of chitosan was applied as 2 g/L (T1), 4 g/L (T2) and control (T3), 7 days before harvesting of Thompson Seedless grapes. The stored grapes at 0±2°C with 93±25 humidity for 15 days (A1) and 30 days (A2) were placed on ambient conditions for a period of 5 days to study the effect on post-harvest quality. Significant differences were noted in TSS content of berries among the levels of chitosan application in comparison to control, initially. The storage duration couldn't affect TSS and acidity significantly. In case of PLW, fallen and rotten berries, minimum values were recorded in T2 and almost same trend was observed in A1. Interaction data of levels of chitosan with storage of grapes at low temperature for 15 days and 30 days before placing them for study showed significant differences. T2A2 noted lower PLW (8.83%) on 5th day of storage and it was very closely followed by T2A1 (10.48%). However, T2A1 recorded with minimum fallen and rotten berries during the study. On the basis of present study, it may concluded that application of chitosan contained product (10%) @4 g/L before 7 days of grape harvesting and placing these grapes for 15 days at 0°C found better to improve keeping quality.

Using multispectral imaging to improve berry harvest for wine making grapes

The determination of time for grape harvest is probably the most important decision for wine making producers, because grapes are not climacteric fruits and if they are harvested before fully ripe their quality is compromised. This is because sugar content, aroma and color compounds increase only before harvest for non-climacteric fruits. The current practice for determining berry ripeness includes measurements of berry samples for total soluble solids (TSS) and pH, but this procedure is time consuming and laborious. On the other hand, with the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and modern ultralight cameras the grower can now obtain data rapidly and also spatial information for crop's physiological status at farm scale. Berry samples were collected from grapevines (<i>cv<i/>. Malagousia) and their reflectance spectra were used to estimate TSS and pH by Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The highest classification accuracy was achieved using the SVM model. Moreover, berries taken by grapevines with low Carotenoid Reflectance Index 2 (CRI2) had higher TSS, pH and terpenes, and gave wine with higher alcohol by volume. The importance for constructing a model for predicting TSS in berries is obvious, because this can aid in the prediction of wine quality. The current work is a preliminary compilation of methodologies for making a monitoring tool of berry ripeness, using statistical techniques, remote sensing and crop physiological data.

Microbiology of winemaking

The production of alcoholic beverages, such as winemaking, has a long history, dating back well over 7000 years. The winemaking process is not vastly different to that used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. The main difference is that modern-day winemakers have much more control over the different steps; time and method of grape harvesting, use of selected yeast and bacteria, and maturation techniques. The various yeast and bacteria involved in winemaking originate in the vineyard, on grapes and winemaking equipment. Even though yeast and bacteria can impart desirable sensory characteristics to wine, this is not always the case – there are numerous microbes that are unwanted. This overview of wine microbiology will be limited to yeast and bacterial fermentations and microbiological spoilage by these microbes, and will not cover vineyard moulds.

Effervescence in champagne and sparkling wines: From grape harvest to bubble rise

Bubbles in a glass of champagne may seem like the acme of frivolity to most of people, but in fact they may rather be considered as a fantastic playground for any fluid physicist. Under standard tasting conditions, about a million bubbles will nucleate and rise if you resist drinking from your flute. The so-called effervescence process, which enlivens champagne and sparkling wines tasting, is the result of the complex interplay between carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved in the liquid phase, tiny air pockets trapped within microscopic particles during the pouring process, and some both glass and liquid properties. In this tutorial review, the journey of yeast-fermented CO2 is reviewed (from its progressive dissolution in the liquid phase during the fermentation process, to its progressive release in the headspace above glasses). The most recent advances about the physicochemical processes behind the nucleation, and rise of gaseous CO2 bubbles, under standard tasting conditions, have been gathered hereafter. Let’s hope that your enjoyment of champagne will be enhanced after reading this tutorial review dedicated to the unsuspected physics hidden right under your nose each time you enjoy a glass of bubbly.

Content of metals and organic acids from experimental sparkling white wine

This work is focused on the study of the influence of different strains of yeasts on the concentration of organic acids, metallic content, and other physical-chemical parameters from experimental sparkling white wines produced by traditional method (bottle fermented). This study was required due to climatic conditions varying from year to year, generating grape harvests with very high alcoholic potential, and very low values for total acidity. In this case, a Muscat Ottonel grape must was used and passed by a reverse osmosis process. The obtained permeate was mixed with a calculated amount of the concentrate to generate a must with a potential of 10.5% (v/v) alcohol, in order o to obtain the base wine for the second fermentation. After fermentation, the wine was treated to get tartaric, protein and microbiological stabilization. For the second fermentation four different strains of yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used. Bottle fermentation and storage was performed at a constant temperature of approximately 12 °C. After six months of storage, sparkling wine samples were analyzed. The metal content was determined using AAS method, and organic acid concentration was determined by a HPLC method. The main physical-chemical characteristics were determined (alcohol concentration, total acidity, volatile acidity, total dry extract, free SO2 , total SO2 , density, pH, conductivity) based on OIV methods. The results obtained indicated significant differences of the analyzed parameters.

Drought reconstruction based on grape harvest dates for the Czech Lands, 1499-2012

The timing of maturity of grapes depends on the weather conditions during the growing season. This study relies on the dependence of harvest dates on the air temperature and dry/wet conditions. Recorded observations show that increases in air temperature and dryness are associated with earlier grape harvests. Documentary data of grape harvests from the Bohemian wine-growing region (mainly northwest of Prague) were combined with mean Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) series starting in 1841 and ordinary least square regression with subsequent scaling to reconstruct the mean SPEI values for this area for April to August from 1499 to 2012. The reconstructed SPEI series explains 75% of the drought variability since 1841. All dry years that were detected by the reconstructed April-August SPEI values correlate well with years of excellent and good red wine of vintage quality for 1499-1840. A comparison of the reconstructed series with other SPEI reconstructions from the Czech Lands (the recent Czech Republic) based on documentary and instrumental data shows good agreement. The results demonstrate that grape harvest series may be used as a proxy for drought reconstruction in the central European region.

English

Campanha region in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) has received attention on grape production specifically ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Tannat’. Due to the edafoclimatic peculiarities such as sandy soil, good thermal amplitude and sunshine, and low rainfall during the ripening period, it is supposed that the wine of this micro-region, in especially Bage, might have particular typicity. However, as being a recent activity in the region, the results on grape ripening and wine quality are few. The objective of this work was to characterize Cabernet Sauvignon wines made with grapes from the Region of Campanha, state of Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil, specifically from the municipality of Bage. As control parameters, it was also vinificated, grapes of the same cultivar from vineyards of Serra do Sudeste and Serra do Nordeste of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The grape of each vineyard was harvested and submitted to microvinification. In one of the vineyards in 2007 (in the region of Bage) was measured the late harvesting of grapes on wine quality. In general, the results of Bage wines from the 2004 vintage pointed to good alcohol content and dry extract, but no efficiency on intensity and shade of color. This is probably due to the decrease of acidity during vinification reducing the stability of anthocyanic compounds. The over-ripeness of ‘Carbenet Sauvignon’ grapes during 2007 vintage is a positive alternative of both color and alcohol increment in the wines of Bage/RS. There was no effect on total acidity whether compared to conventional harvesting or industrially recommended. The high levels of K detected might be one of the factors that contributed to the low total acidity, high pH and color. Key words: Vitis vinifera, grape quality, color, ripening.

Comparison of Proanthocyanidins with Different Polymerisation Degrees among Berry Skins of ‘Shiraz’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, and ‘Marselan’

Proanthocyanidins in grape berries are synthesised mainly before veraison, and very little attention is paid to the evolution of proanthocyanidins (PAs) in grapes from veraison to harvest. The present study focused on the changes of flavan-3-ols with different degrees of polymerisation in grape skins and the difference in proanthocyandin composition of ‘Shiraz’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Marselan’ grapes (Vitis vinifera L.). The results show that the content of flavan-3-ols, the percentage of prodelphinidins (%P) and mean degree polymerisation (mDP) found in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ berry skins at post-veraison were higher than those in ‘Shiraz’ and ‘Marselan’ skins. Only monomeric, dimeric, trimeric and polymeric flavan-3-ols were detected in the three grape cultivars. Polymers with more than tenfold flavan-3-ol units accounted for a relatively high proportion in grape berry skins, and the content in the three cultivars declined continuously during ripening. Principal component analysis showed that proanthocyanidin content, composition and mDP at grape harvest stage depended strongly on grape cultivar. This study provides some useful information for understanding the accumulation of PAs during berry maturation and this information can be used to improve wine quality.

Evaluation of a commercial grape yield monitor for use mid-season and at-harvest

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aims:&lt;/strong&gt; Yield monitors are becoming more common in North America. This research evaluates the precision and accuracy of a retro-fitted, commercially available grape yield monitor mid-season, for crop estimation and crop thinning applications, and at harvest for yield mapping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods and Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Several grape yield monitors were mounted on the discharge conveyor belt of grape harvesters in both commercial and research vineyards in North America. Sensor response was compared to manual measurements at multiple masses, ranging from 20 kg to 28 Mg over the course of three seasons. Measurements were taken during crop thinning and estimation (mid-season) and at harvest. Results showed that the grape yield monitor performance was sufficient to generate good spatial maps of the relative variation in harvest yield and mid-season thinned yield. However, at harvest the sensor showed a shift in response between days of up to ±15%, such that the generation of absolute yield maps required a daily calibration against a known mass. Within a day (single harvest operation) the sensor response did not appear to drift. Mid-season applications required a different calibration to harvest applications.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; The yield sensor worked well for both mid-season and at harvest operations in North American vineyards but required a daily calibration to avoid drift issues. The mid-season yield calibrations were different between seasons; however, the harvest calibration factor was stable between seasons.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Significance and Impact of study:&lt;/strong&gt; The study showed that a commercial yield monitor with correct calibration was effective at even low fruit flow. This opens the possibility of using a harvest sensor mid-season to mechanically estimate fruit load from small point samples and to map the amount of fruit removed during fruit thinning operations. This will improve the quality of information available to viticulturist to understand fruit and crop load. The commercial yield monitor is suitable for use in North American vineyards.

Seasonal Variation in Composition of Winery Wastewater in the Breede River Valley with Respect to Classical Water Quality Parameters

The annual wastewater quality dynamics of a winery from which wastewater was sourced for a field experiment investigating the dilution of winery wastewater for vineyard irrigation were determined. Annual mean monthly pH ranged from 4.2 to 6.8 and was lower during grape harvest than in winter. Electrical conductivity (EC) increased from the start of harvest (February) and reached a maximum in May, followed by a decline to a minimum in August. The increase in EC probably originated from cleaning agents used in the winery, as well as K+ in the grape lees and spillage from the grape fermentation process. With the exception of August, EC exceeded the critical value of 0.75 dS/m, which is the salinity threshold for water used for grapevine irrigation. The mean monthly chemical oxygen demand (COD) level increased from January and was highest at peak harvest (March). The K+ and Na+ levels in the winery wastewater increased from February to May. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) ranged from 2.4 to 9.0 and increased from January to June. Although COD concentration in winery wastewater is the preferred indicator of water quality for the South African wine industry, it did not provide a reliable indication of suitability for irrigation. However, EC was strongly determined by the K+ concentration. This was to be expected, since K+ is usually the most abundant cation in winery wastewater. Therefore, EC would be a more reliable indicator of winery wastewater quality than COD concentration, particularly with regard to the concentrations of cations such as K+ and Na+.

Online adaptive observer for rollover avoidance of reconfigurable agricultural vehicles

Tractor rollover is one of the main case of severe accident in agriculture. Since such vehicles move on natural ground with varying conditions and different kind of terrain, the risk of rollover is difficult to estimate and predict using classical on-road approaches. This paper proposes an online adaptive observer to assess and avoid rollover risk in agricultural vehicles which move in off-road terrain. In particular, the approach focuses on reconfigurable tractor dedicated to move in terrain with important slope (such as grape harvester). It is based on the coupling between an intermittent measurement and an estimation of a stability metric, namely the Lateral Load Transfer (LLT). Thanks to this adaptive method, terrain and vehicle parameters are updated in order to take into account for the effects of changes in center of gravity height and total vehicle mass. This then allows to monitor the stability of the vehicle whatever the state of the slope correction system, the soil type and the load of the machine. The algorithm capabilities are tested through experiments using a grape harvester equipped with hydraulic actuators.