Trellis System Research Articles

Exploring grape juice volatile compounds after inactive yeast extract foliar treatment using SPME and GC–MS

This research aims to investigate the effects of foliar application of selected inactivated yeast on grape varieties of juice ('Isabel', 'Isabel Precoce', 'Ives', 'Concord', and 'BRS Violeta') cultivated at the Centro Avançado de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Frutas of the Instituto Agronômico (IAC), using vertical shoot-positioning and trellis systems. The experimental design utilized was a randomized block layout with four replicates. The study evaluated plant productivity and physical characteristics of clusters and berries. Furthermore, the grape juice extracted from these grape varieties underwent analysis for volatile compounds in a two-year study period. The volatile profile of the grape juice was determined using headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). At the end of this research, despite the application of yeast extract, no significant impact on vine productivity or the physicochemical parameters of the berries was observed. The varieties exhibited distinct responses to the treatment, with 'Isabel' showing the least responsiveness while 'Ives' demonstrated the most significant response. Overall, the treatment was most effective in influencing esters, followed by ketones. This indicates that the impact of the treatment varied across different grape varieties and volatile compositions, highlighting the importance of considering varietal differences in grape cultivation practices and product quality.

Evaluation of training systems for growth, yield, photosynthetic activities and wine quality in Cabernet Sauvignon

The present study revealed the impact of different training systems on growth, yield, photosynthetic activities, and wine quality of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. Three training systems- (Mini Y-trellis, Vertical Shoot Positioned (VSP) and Kniffin System) were assessed over a three-year period (2018-19 to 2020-21) in a vineyard located at ICAR National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune. Results indicated significant differences among training systems in terms of growth, yield, and photosynthetic activity. Among three training system mini-Y trellis system had higher yield compared to Kniffin and VSP trellis system but wine quality was lower. Wine produced from Kniffin-trained vines exhibited superior quality attributes, including higher mallic acid, ethanol and improved sensory characteristics. The findings suggest that selecting an appropriate training system is crucial for optimizing vine performance and enhancing wine quality in Cabernet Sauvignon. This research provides valuable insights for viticulturists aiming to improve vineyard management practices and maximize the quality wine production.

Flutuação populacional de insetos vetores do Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic vírus em pomares de maracujá amarelo no estado do Paraná, Brasil

ABSTRACT: This study identified and monitored the population fluctuations of insect vectors of Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) in experimental orchards in the North and Northwest Regions of the State of Paraná. The experiments were conducted in the cities of Londrina and Paranavaí at the Experimental Research Stations of the Instituto de Desenvolvimento Rural do Paraná-IAPAR-EMATER (IDR-Paraná), Brazil. The study period was from September 2019 to March 2021. In the experiments conducted in Londrina and in Paranavaí, yellow passion fruit plants were grown in trellis systems. Moericke traps were used to capture insects, and collections were performed weekly. Aphids were identified using a taxonomic identification key. The numbers of aphids present in each region were compared, and the populations were correlated with the climate and local precipitation. A total of 1522 and 1340 winged aphids were observed in the experiments in Londrina and Paranavaí, respectively. In Londrina, moderate positive correlations were observed between the number of insects and the maximum and average temperatures, while negative correlations were observed between the number of insects and the minimum temperature and precipitation. In contrast, in Paranavaí, the correlation between aphids and abiotic factors was negative, where maximum temperature was strongly correlated. In both regions, the following seven species of aphid vectors of CABMV were detected: Aphis fabae, Aphis gossypii, Toxoptera citricida, Acyrthosiphon pisum, Brevicoryne brassicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Uroleucon ambrosiae. The population fluctuations of these species were influenced by variations in temperature and precipitation.

Climate, soil, and viticultural factors differentially affect the sub-regional variations in biochemical compositions of grape berries

Terroir leaves its influence on the flavor build-up in grape berries by triggering biochemical reactions that ultimately shape the typicality of the produced wines. However, the complex relationship between terroir, carbon stable isotopic composition, and the biochemical composition of grapes remains poorly understood. To fill these gaps, grape berries were harvested at maturity from two grape cultivars, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.), across 32 sites within the Eastern Foothills of the Helan Mountains region over two vintages. The climate and soil data for these sites were collected, and cultivation practices were surveyed. In parallel, the grape quality indicators were measured at maturity to explore their variations among sub-regions and the correlations between terroir factors and grape quality. Moreover, the carbon stable isotopes (δ¹³C) were measured to evaluate the water status of vines at different sites. Results indicated that organic acids and anthocyanins exhibited a strong vintage effect, with the cooler vintage exhibiting higher levels of these compounds relative to the warmer vintage. Specifically, the Hongsipu sub-region, with a cooler climate, consistently demonstrated higher anthocyanin concentrations than other sub-regions in both vintages of the study. Further analysis revealed that the cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon displayed a higher ratio of di-hydroxylated to tri-hydroxylated anthocyanins in the cooler year, whereas Merlot exhibited the opposite trend. The Mantel test identified several critical factors influencing anthocyanin concentration, including total soil phosphorus (Tp), total soil potassium (Tk), soil thickness (Thickness), precipitation (April-September precipitation, Pre4–9), April-September average temperature (4–9 Tave), April-September active accumulated temperature (4–9 Aa), April-June active accumulated temperature (4–6 Aa), July-September active accumulated temperature (7–9 Aa), temperature diurnal range (May, July, August, September, DR-5 and DR 7–9), trellis system, vine density, and δ13C. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze and summarize the relationships between terroir factors, anthocyanin concentration, and δ¹³C. The results indicated that June and September precipitation had a positive impact on anthocyanin concentrations, while soil total potassium content had a negative impact. On the other hand, the July to September temperature diurnal range, trellis system, vine perimeter, and canopy height were the main drivers of δ¹³C, which further influenced grape anthocyanin concentrations. This research contributes to a scientific foundation for grape cultivation in the Eastern Foothills of the Helan Mountains and provides valuable insights for practices in other regions.

Environmental, energy, and economic (3E) assessment of viticulture systems.

Given the current trends, it seems obvious that temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels will rise over the coming years. To deal with climate change, a gradual transition to more sustainable viticulture operations is required. It seems necessary to carry out accurate local studies for future projections. The purpose of the current study was to choose the best grape production system in Jowzan Valley, Malayer, Iran. This region was registered by FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in 2018. This study seeks to answer the question: if climate change has occurred in the Malayer region, which of the traditional and trellis systems is more sustainable from economic, energy, and environmental aspects? The sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) was used to project the climate parameters of Malayer in the past and the future. The output of climate models based on rainfall, temperature, and wind (as factors influencing grape yield) in the observation period of 1992-2021 (the base period) and forecasting the future period of 2021-2100 under three scenarios (SSP1-26, SSP2-45, and SSP5-85) were obtained. The determination of hotspots in terms of cost, energy, and environment for two production systems was done with the approaches of material and energy flow cost accounting (MFCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA). The results of these two approaches help us know which of the two systems are currently more sustainable in terms of economic, energy, and environmental aspects. Grape production in 1 hectare was chosen as a functional unit (FU). The system boundary included the foreground processes that the farmer was directly involved in managing. Grape data were collected in the crop year of 2021-2022 from the vineyards of Jowzan region. According to results, under SSP1-26, SSP2-45, and SSP5-85 scenarios, the annual mean temperature is expected to rise at rates of 0.27, 0.477, and 0.82°C 10a-1 in the future (2021-2100), respectively. From an economic point of view, labor was recognized as the main input. By changing the system from traditional to trellis, production costs can be expected to be halved. The main hotspot in terms of negative products was the loss of grapes during production or harvesting. Such conditions were also true in terms of energy. From the environmental aspect, on-farm emissions and electricity were identified as hotspots. These effects are greatly reduced in the trellis system compared to the traditional system. In the case of changing the system from traditional to trellis, these effects can be reduced to a reasonable extent by improving the efficiency of irrigation and fertilizer distribution through the irrigation system. According to the results obtained from the climate scenarios as well as the results of the economic, environmental, and energy evaluation of the two production systems, it can be concluded that the use of the trellis system can be more sustainable than the traditional system.

The impact of vineyard landscaping and grapevine training systems on labour costs: a case study from the Douro Demarcated Region

ABSTRACT The vineyards and wine industry are key pillars of the economy in the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR). However, the region’s diverse topography poses challenges, leading to high grape production costs. Additionally, ongoing difficulties in attracting labor threaten the sector's sustainability. Based on a multiple linear regression and survey data from 110 DDR farms, this study analyzed the impact of labor costs on farms with varying vineyard landscaping and grapevine training systems. Results indicate a clear relationship between certain landscaping and training practices and permanent labor costs. Traditional walled terraces, vertical planting, and cordon training systems incur the highest permanent labor expenses, while temporary labor costs remain minimal. Adopting less labor-intensive systems is a strategic priority for DDR winegrowers, with significant effects across the wine value chain. To enhance the sector’s sustainability, future policies should prioritize systems that are well-adapted to local conditions and economically viable.

Effects of Tree Spacing and Branch Configuration on Production, Fruit Quality, and Leaf Minerals of ‘Aztec Fuji’ Apple Trees in a Tatura Trellis System Over 5 Years

Tree spacing and branch architecture are critical for the productivity of high-density orchards. The influence of two tree spacings of 45.7 cm × 366 cm and 91.4 cm × 366 cm each with two branch architectures or configurations of shortened branch (ShBr) or overlapped branch (OverBr) on tree growth, yield components, fruit quality, and leaf mineral nutrients in an ‘Aztec Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchard with a 60-degree Tatura trellis (V) system was studied over 5 years. Trees planted with 91.4-cm spacing had a significantly greater trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), higher number of fruit and greater yield per tree, and greater cumulative yield efficiency than those of trees planted with 45.7-cm spacing during 2012–16. Tree spacing did not significantly affect fruit weight and firmness at harvest or after storage. However, trees planted with 91.4-cm spacing always had higher fruit color, sunburn, fruit russet, and watercore at harvest and a higher soluble solids concentration but lower fruit bitter pit at harvest and after storage compared to those of trees with 45.7-cm spacing. These differences were often significant. Trees with 45.7-cm spacing had significantly higher leaf concentrations of potassium, iron, copper, and manganese and relatively higher leaf zinc than those of trees with 91.4-cm spacing. Trees trained according to ShBr architectures had a relatively larger TCSA than those of trees with an OverBr configuration every year. Branching architectures did not affect the number of fruits per tree, yield per tree, yield per hectare, yield efficiency, or biennial bearing index in any year. Trees with a ShBr architecture had significantly larger fruits than those with an OverBr system every year and over the 5 years. Trees with a ShBr architecture had higher average leaf fresh and dry weights and calcium concentration but a similar percentage of dry weight compared to those of trees with an OverBr architecture.

Study on the Method of Vineyard Information Extraction Based on Spectral and Texture Features of GF-6 Satellite Imagery

Accurately identifying the distribution of vineyard cultivation is of great significance for the development of the grape industry and the optimization of planting structures. Traditional remote sensing techniques for vineyard identification primarily depend on machine learning algorithms based on spectral features. However, the spectral reflectance similarities between grapevines and other orchard vegetation lead to persistent misclassification and omission errors across various machine learning algorithms. As a perennial vine plant, grapes are cultivated using trellis systems, displaying regular row spacing and distinctive strip-like texture patterns in high-resolution satellite imagery. This study selected the main oasis area of Turpan City in Xinjiang, China, as the research area. First, this study extracted both spectral and texture features based on GF-6 satellite imagery, subsequently employing the Boruta algorithm to discern the relative significance of these remote sensing features. Then, this study constructed vineyard information extraction models by integrating spectral and texture features, using machine learning algorithms including Naive Bayes (NB), Support Vector Machines (SVMs), and Random Forests (RFs). The efficacy of various machine learning algorithms and remote sensing features in extracting vineyard information was subsequently evaluated and compared. The results indicate that three spectral features and five texture features under a 7 × 7 window have significant sensitivity to vineyard recognition. These spectral features include the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), while texture features include contrast statistics in the near-infrared band (B4_CO) and the variance statistic, contrast statistic, heterogeneity statistic, and correlation statistic derived from NDVI images (NDVI_VA, NDVI_CO, NDVI_DI, and NDVI_COR). The RF algorithm significantly outperforms both the NB and SVM models in extracting vineyard information, boasting an impressive accuracy of 93.89% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.89. This marks a 12.25% increase in accuracy and a 0.11 increment in the Kappa coefficient over the NB model, as well as an 8.02% enhancement in accuracy and a 0.06 rise in the Kappa coefficient compared to the SVM model. Moreover, the RF model, which amalgamates spectral and texture features, exhibits a notable 13.59% increase in accuracy versus the spectral-only model and a 14.92% improvement over the texture-only model. This underscores the efficacy of the RF model in harnessing the spectral and textural attributes of GF-6 imagery for the precise extraction of vineyard data, offering valuable theoretical and methodological insights for future vineyard identification and information retrieval efforts.

Design and evaluation of an active vineyard heating system to simulate temperature increase in the context of climate change

The current study introduces an innovative direct and active heating system designed for precise temperature control in vineyards. This system serves as a valuable tool for investigating the influence of climate change on grapevine physiology and, consequently, the characteristics of the resulting wine. The research took place in an experimental vineyard located in Mendoza, Argentina, with V. vinifera cvs. trained to a vertical shoot positioning trellis system over two consecutive growing seasons. The system design utilized electric hot water tanks and polypropylene pipes attached to the foliage catch wires. Over two growing seasons, the system consistently elevated the ambient air temperatures within the canopy by 2.5 ± 0.12 °C compared to the control group. This temperature increase emulated the temperature projections for Mendoza as forecasted by the IPCC by the end of this century. The system displayed heating uniformity, as evidenced by the absence of both vertical and horizontal temperature gradients. Additionally, the significant variation in mean daytime and night-time temperatures between the control and heated treatments highlighted the effectiveness of the system in modifying temperature conditions on a diurnal basis. The heated treatment applied with this system proved to have an effective biological impact on the physiology of grapevines. In both seasons, plants under the heated treatment advanced their bud break and harvest dates. The study showed a significant growth enhancement in the heated treatment, with apical shoots extending significantly longer than those in the control treatment. Additionally, the total soluble solids content increased in the heating treatment, while yield decreased, for both experimental seasons. These results illustrate the robust performance of the system throughout the entire growth period, regardless of fluctuations in atmospheric conditions. This study establishes a new foundation for future research on grapevine responses to climate change. It also opens the door to the implementation of effective adaptation strategies in vineyards, promising a more resilient and adaptable future for grape cultivation.

Exploring the Interplay of Bud Load and Pruning Type in Shaping ‘Xinomavro’ (Vitis vinifera L.) Vine Growth, Yield, and Berry Composition

‘Xinomavro’ (V. vinifera L.) is an important native red wine grape variety in Northern Greece, particularly in PDO (protected designation of origin) regions. Despite its significance, there is limited research on the effects of pruning type and severity on ‘Xinomavro’ vine physiology, yield, and berry quality across diverse environmental conditions. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap and provide growers with crucial information for optimizing vineyard management practices. The study was conducted over two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) in a vineyard in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. Four treatments (B12: 12 buds on 6 spurs, B24: 24 buds on 12 spurs, M12: 12 buds on 2 canes, and M24: 24 buds on 4 canes) combining two bud load levels (12 or 24 count nodes) and two pruning types (short spurs or long canes) were applied to ‘Xinomavro’ vines in a complete block randomized design. The vine water status, gas exchange, canopy characteristics, yield components, and berry composition were measured. Bud load and pruning type significantly influenced vine canopy development, microclimate, and yield components. Short pruning with high bud load (B24) resulted in denser canopies and higher yields, whereas cane pruning (M12 and M24) led to more open canopies and improved berry quality indicators. Treatment effects on berry composition were inconsistent across years but showed a tendency for higher anthocyanin and total phenol content in cane-pruned vines. This study demonstrates that pruning type (short or long fruiting units) may have a greater impact on vine growth, yield, and berry composition than bud load alone in ‘Xinomavro’ vines. Cane pruning appears to be a more effective strategy for achieving vine balance and potentially improving grape quality under given experimental conditions.

Effects of grapevine canopy leaning on grape composition and wine quality of ‘Bobal’

Exploring new field strategies for adapting winegrowing regions to the adverse effects of climate change becomes imperative. This study focuses on the effects of canopy architecture through the trellis systems leaning of North–South oriented vineyard’s rows vertical shoot positioned (VSP) system by 30° towards either the East (ESP) or the West (WSP) as a possible adaptation technique. The trial was conducted over two seasons in a Vitis vinifera L. cv. Bobal vineyard located in Requena (Valencia), eastern Spain, under a temperate-warm climate. The canopy leaning was considered to affect the radiation load and its timing with potential effects on vine physiology and grape metabolism and, consequently, on grape and wine quality. Leaning treatments affected vegetative growth, likely due to slight differences in vine water status. In comparison to VSP and ESP, WSP intercepts more light in the morning, when the photosynthetic capacity of the vines is at its highest. However, this results in a more negative vine water potential, which in turn leads to a reduction in vigour with no impact on yield. Musts from the WSP showed a tendency to increase total acidity compared to VSP, while ESP tended to decrease it. This was likely due to the reduction in temperature within the cluster microclimate in WSP in comparison to the ESP and VSP treatments. In addition, musts from the WSP treatment showed higher colour intensity, anthocyanins and polyphenols, potentially attributable to its more negative potentials, likely due to its more negative potentials, which may have prompted the synthesis of phenolic compounds. Consequently, wines from the WSP treatment displayed higher total acidity and lower pH, as well as higher colour intensity, anthocyanins, and polyphenolic content. In addition, WSP wines had higher concentrations of esters and higher alcohols. The improvements in grape and wine composition are likely due to an increased cluster radiation interception in the morning and reduced heating in the afternoon when VPD is higher. Our findings demonstrate that canopy management by leaning VSP vines towards the West can be a useful technique for adapting grape and wine composition to climate change and provide insights into its physiological basis.

Yield Performance and Quality Assessment of Brazilian Hybrid Grapes Influenced by Rootstocks and Training Systems

The choice of training system impacts the architecture and physiological characteristics of grapevines, affecting grape production and quality. Continuous studies are necessary to optimize viticulture production in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rootstocks and different training systems on the production and quality of ‘IAC 138-22 Máximo’ and ‘BRS Violeta’ grapevines for juice and wine. The experiment was conducted over two productive cycles (2019/2020 and 2020/2021) in an experimental vineyard at the Advanced Center for Fruit Research as part of the Agronomic Institute (IAC), in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil (23°06′ S, 46°55′ W, and 745 m altitude). For each cultivar, a randomized block design in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme was used, with two rootstocks (‘IAC 766 Campinas’ and 106-8 ‘Mgt’) and two training systems (low and high trellises), with five blocks of three plants per experimental plot. In both cycles, the gas exchange and grapevine production, the chemical characteristics of the grape juice (must), and the chemical compounds in the berry skins were evaluated. The rootstocks and training systems influenced the variables evaluated in both cultivars, with the high trellis system providing the best results. This approach increased the photosynthetic rate, improved water-use efficiency, elevated grapevine production, and enhanced fruit quality. Therefore, its use is recommended for training grapevines. Regarding rootstocks, the best scion–rootstock affinity was found between hybrid grapevines and ‘IAC 766 Campinas’.

Effects of retained node numbers on berry maturity and yield components of cane-pruned Sauvignon blanc

Cane pruning is used in most New Zealand Sauvignon blanc vineyards to manage yield, vine balance (relationship between vegetative growth and fruit growth) and fruit primary and secondary metabolites. The source–sink ratio (TLA/FM—total leaf area to fruit mass or ELA/FM—exposed leaf area to fruit mass), the fruit mass to pruning mass (FM/PM), the fruit mass to cane mass (FM/CM) and fruit composition provide an assessment of the vine performance and balance. The interpretation of these metrics (i.e., TLA/FM, ELA/FM, FM/PM, FM/CM) requires their comparison with known optimal ranges specific to cultivars, locations and growing conditions. More often, such context- and cultivar-specific optimal ranges do not exist, thus warranting research to investigate them. To understand the influence of retained node numbers on the vegetative and fruit development of Sauvignon blanc, grapevines were pruned across three vineyard sites (two in Marlborough—Site 1 and 2, and one in Waipara—Site 3) over two growing seasons, retaining 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 nodes on one to four canes (each cane carrying ten nodes, with 50-node vines carrying on average 12.5 nodes on each of the four canes). The accumulation of soluble solids (TSS) generally increased at lower node numbers and vine yields, reflecting an increase in ELA/FM, with 50-node vines having the least TSS concentration at harvest. The average berry mass, titrable acidity (TA) and pH were unaffected by node numbers over the two seasons. A low source–sink ratio induced by high node numbers not only reduced the vine capacity to ripen the current crop but also reduced the following season’s bunch number per shoot (from 1.8 to 1.6 bunches per shoot; p < 0.05), average bunch mass (from 82.0 ± 6 g to 67.7 ± 3 g; p < 0.01) and bunch mass per shoot (from 153.5 ± 15 g to 106.7 ± 9 g; p < 0.05). When compared to 50-node vines, 10-node vines had a two-fold increase in the average cane mass (from 30.1 ± 3.9 g to 69.2 ± 8.7 g; p < 0.001) and average old cane mass (from 82.4 ± 6.9 g to 163.8 ± 21 g; p < 0.001). The ELA/FM and TLA/FM required for optimal TSS accumulation were 0.75 m2 kg-1 and 2.0 m2 kg-1, respectively, across all sites. A source–sink ratio above these values resulted in high average cane mass and average old cane mass (an indication of excess vigour), while lower values indicated reduced vigour and slowed TSS accumulation. This research provides useful optimal ranges to compare and interpret vine balance metrics measured at those sites.

Grapevine pruning strategy affects trunk disease symptoms, wood pathobiome and mycobiome

Vine training and pruning are cultural strategies that can be deployed to manage grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs). Forty-year-old commercial vineyards in the Cognac region, France, trained to either Guyot-Arcure (severe pruning) or Guyot-Poussard (minimal pruning), were studied to determine how the two systems affected trunk disease symptomatology. Effects of pruning practices on the pathobiome and mycobiome of asymptomatic grapevines were also assessed, using culture- and amplicon-based Illumina sequencing approaches. The hypothesis examined was that severe pruning of Guyot-Arcure increases trunk diseases incidence and severity, and causes higher pathogen load and microbial diversity, compared to Guyot-Poussard. Numbers of symptomatic and asymptomatic vines for the two training systems were recorded over 3 years, including numbers of vines with esca foliar symptoms, and partially unproductive and dead vines. Six asymptomatic vines from each pruning method were selected, and culturing and sequencing data were obtained from 27 samples per vine. Fungi in the Phaeomoniellaceae, Togniniaceae, and Botryosphaeriaceae were the most frequently identified. The data indicated that severe pruning increased risk of pathogen infections, with Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium minimum and Diplodia sp. being the most commonly identified fungi. Greater numbers of dead or dying vines were recorded in the severely pruned vineyard, indicating that this strategy shortens vine longevity. Results also showed that severe pruning increased endophytic microbial diversity, and that the pruning methods influenced mycobiome community composition. This knowledge will improve recommendations to growers for practical and cost-effective ways to manage GTDs.

Aerial spraying for downy mildew control in grapevines using a remotely piloted aircraft

Downy mildew is a major problem for grape growers, as this disease is difficult to control. Synthetic fungicides are used to treat downy mildew with handheld backpack and tractor sprayer applications, with high chemical exposure by operators. As important tools for maximising yield, application technologies must be studied to optimise control efficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of fungicide spray application using Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for the control of downy mildew in grapevine, with different spray volumes. The study was divided into two experiments using 4 vine lines, 10 blocks and 5 treatments with different mixture volumes: Experiment 1 with RPA application of 5 mixture volumes - 0, 22, 44, 66, and 88 L ha−1; Experiment 2 with RPA application of 3 mixture volumes - 44, 66, and 88 L ha−1 and a backpack application of one mixture volume - 800 L ha−1. Coverage percentage, droplet density and volume median diameter (VMD) were evaluated. Downy mildew severity on grapevine leaves was assessed using visual analysis and a diagrammatic scale. The application of 44 L ha−1 provided the greatest coverage and droplet density in the upper and middle strata; however, the backpack application had a better droplet distribution than the RPA application. Treatments of 44 L ha−1 with RPA and backpack application (800 L ha−1) provided the best disease control. In the trellis system, RPA application must be improved because of the low coverage in the lower parts of the plant, and further studies with different spray nozzles and application heights are needed.

Adapting American Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Varieties to Mediterranean Sustainable Agriculture: A Trellis Height Exploration

In recent years, Italy’s craft beer industry has seen remarkable growth, fostering the local production of key ingredients, notably hops. However, a research gap exists in exploring open-field hop productivity in typical Mediterranean climates using low-trellis systems. This study addressed this gap by evaluating the productive performances of “Cascade” and “Chinook” hop varieties on “V” trellis systems at different heights (2.60, 3.60, and 4.60 m above ground) in inner Sicily’s Mediterranean climate and soil conditions. The results highlighted the significant impact of trellis height on various parameters, with Cascade displaying exceptional adaptability to low-trellis farming. Key factors like stem and leaf weight emerged as crucial drivers of cone yield, emphasizing their significance in hop cultivation. The distinct responses of Cascade and Chinook varieties to varying trellis heights underscored the need for tailored approaches, offering valuable insights for optimizing hop cultivation practices in semi-arid climates.

Impact of trellis system on blackberry crop canopy architecture and microclimate with implications for pest management

Impact of trellis system on blackberry crop canopy architecture and microclimate with implications for pest management

Effectiveness of Sensing and Feedback Alerting Smart Cane System: An Assisted Device for Geriatric Population to Prevent Falling

Background: The main cause of injury-related death among the elderly is falling. The smart cane is a type ofassistive tool. A smart cane’s electronic sensors provide feedback and alert users to potential hazards, assistingusers in keeping their balance while moving around.Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a smart cane system for the elderly population that integrates feedbackalerts and sensors to reduce falls.Materials and Methods: A Randomized Controlled Trial was done in elderly resort with 30 sample allocated intotwo group using lottery method .group-A receives conventional training using cane with quadripod base , whilethe group-B receives smart cane training using quadripod base .modified two-point gait pattern is employed for2 months of training. The outcome measure used for physical measure is Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) and forpsychological is Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC,s).Results: According to the statistical analysis of the elderly mobility scale outcome measure, there were substantial changesin mobility and a decreased risk of falling .Based on the ABCs scale, when comparing the pre-test and post-test values, theexperimental group’s confidence in daily living is superior to the control group.Conclusion: According to the study’s findings, a smart assistive cane can help the elderly population both physically andpsychologically. During the gait training, the user of the smart assistive gadget did not encounter any unfavorable therapyrelatedconsequences.

Evaluation of canopy fraction-based vegetation indices, derived from multispectral UAV imagery, to map water status variability in a commercial vineyard

AbstractWater stress is a major factor affecting grapevine yield and quality. Standard methods for measuring water stress, such as midday stem water potential (ΨSWP), are laborious and time-consuming for intra-block variability mapping. In this study, we investigate water status variability within a 2.42-ha commercial Cabernet Sauvignon block with a standard vertical trellis system, using remote sensing (RS) tools, specifically canopy fraction-based vegetation indices (VIs) derived from multispectral unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, as well as standard reference methods to evaluate soil and plant water status. A total of 31 target vines were monitored for ΨSWP during the whole growing season. The highest variability was at véraison when the highest atmospheric demand occurred. The ΨSWP variability present in the block was contrasted with soil water content (SWC) measurements, showing similar patterns. With spatial and temporal water stress variability confirmed for the block, the relationship between the ΨSWP measured in the field and fraction-based VIs obtained from multispectral UAV data was analysed. Four UAV flights were obtained, and five different VIs were evaluated per target vine across the vineyard. The VI correlation to ΨSWP was further evaluated by comparing VI obtained from canopy fraction (VIcanopy) versus the mean (VImean). It was found that using canopy fraction-based VIs did not significantly improve the correlation with ΨSWP (NDVIcanopyr = 0.57 and NDVImeanr = 0.53), however fractional cover (fcover) did seem to show a similar trend to plant water stress with decreasing canopy size corresponding with water stress classes. A subset of 14 target vines were further evaluated to evaluate if additional parameters (maximum temperature, relative humidity (RH), vapour pressure deficit, SWC and fractional cover) could serve as potential water stress indicators for future mapping. Results showed that the integration of NDVIcanopy and NDREmean with additional information could be used as an indicator for mapping water stress variability within a block.

Comparative physiological, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal the mechanisms of differences in pear fruit quality between distinct training systems

BackgroundCanopy architecture is critical in determining the fruit-zone microclimate and, ultimately, in determining an orchard’s success in terms of the quality and quantity of the fruit produced. However, few studies have addressed how the canopy environment leads to metabolomic and transcriptomic alterations in fruits. Designing strategies for improving the quality of pear nutritional components relies on uncovering the related regulatory mechanisms.ResultsWe performed an in-depth investigation of the impact of canopy architecture from physiological, metabolomic and transcriptomic perspectives by comparing pear fruits grown in a traditional freestanding system (SP) or a flat-type trellis system (DP). Physiological studies revealed relatively greater fruit sizes, soluble solid contents and titratable acidities in pear fruits from DP systems with open canopies. Nontargeted metabolite profiling was used to characterize fruits at the initial ripening stage. Significant differences in fruit metabolites, including carbohydrates, nucleic acids, alkaloids, glycerophospholipids, sterol lipids, and prenol lipids, were observed between the two groups. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that a series of organic substance catabolic processes (e.g., the glycerol-3-phosphate catabolic process, pectin catabolic process and glucan catabolic process) were overrepresented in fruits of the DP system. Moreover, integrative analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome at the pathway level showed that DP pear fruits may respond to the canopy microenvironment by upregulating phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway genes such as PpPOD. Transient assays revealed that the contents of malic acid and citric acid were lower in the pear flesh of PpPOD RNAi plants, which was associated with regulating the expression of organic acid metabolism-related genes.ConclusionsOur results provide fundamental evidence that at the physiological and molecular levels, open-canopy architecture contributes to improving pear fruit quality and is correlated with increased levels of carbohydrates and lipid-like molecules. This study may lead to the development of rational culture practices for enhancing the nutritional traits of pear fruits.