Influence of leaf removal on berry thermal efficiency for anthocyanin accumulation

The aim of this work was to analyse the effects of leaf removal on Touriga Nacional berry temperature and consequent thermal efficiency for anthocyanins biosynthesis. The field experiment was located at Dão Wine Research Station, Nelas, Portugal in an adult vineyard planted with North-South oriented rows, with the red grape variety Touriga Nacional grafted on 110R rootstock. The vines were trained on a vertical shoot positioning, spur-pruned on a bilateral Royat cordon system and deficit irrigated (50% ETc). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications of twelve vines per elemental plot, and the following two treatments: basal leaf removal (LR) and a control non-defoliated (ND). Berry temperature (Tb) was measured continuously during the second half (3rd to 19th September) of the 2009 ripening period using two-junction, fine-wires copper-constantan thermocouples manually inserted into the berries and connected to a data logger. A sample of clusters located in different canopy positions (exposed and internal; facing East and West) of 4 vines per treatment were used. To quantify the effect of Tb on anthocyanins biosynthesis, the berry hourly mean temperatures were converted into normal heat hours (NHH) and accumulated per day (NHHd) and per monitoring period (NHHc). For quantification of thermal requirements for anthocyanins synthesis and accumulation, a minimum of 10°C, a maximum of 35°C, and an optimum of 26°C were used. Meteorological variables were measured at an automatic weather station installed within the experimental plot. For all days of the monitoring period, daily average berry temperature (dTb) of all monitored berries was lower in ND treatment than in LR, being the maximum differences between treatments registered on 11th September. The highest dTb differences between treatments were registered on the clusters located at the west side of the canopy on 7th September while dTb of the clusters located in the centre of the canopy was less affected by leaf removal. The control non-defoliated treatment (ND) presented a significantly higher NHHc than that of LR being the higher differences presented by the clusters located in the west side. The lowest differences in NHHc were obtained in the clusters located in the centre of the canopy. Our results show that the thermal efficiency for berry anthocyanins accumulation was significantly affected by leaf removal and that this effect was dependent of the meteorological conditions, time of the day and berry/cluster location into the vine canopy.

Estimation of leaf area in grapevine cv. Syrah using empirical models

Aiming to obtain empirical models for the estimation of Syrah leaf area a set of 210 fruiting shoots was randomly collected during the 2013 growing season in an adult experimental vineyard, located in Lisbon, Portugal. Samples of 30 fruiting shoots were taken periodically from the stage of inflorescences visible to veraison (7 sampling dates). At the lab, from each shoot, primary and lateral leaves were separated and numbered according to node insertion. For each leaf, the length of the central and lateral veins was recorded and then the leaf area was measured by a leaf area meter. For single leaf area estimation the best statistical models uses as explanatory variable the sum of the lengths of the two lateral leaf veins. For the estimation of leaf area per shoot it was followed the approach of Lopes & Pinto (2005), based on 3 explanatory variables: number of primary leaves and area of the largest and smallest leaves. The best statistical model for estimation of primary leaf area per shoot uses a calculated variable obtained from the average of the largest and smallest primary leaf area multiplied by the number of primary leaves. For lateral leaf area estimation another model using the same type of calculated variable is also presented. All models explain a very high proportion of variability in leaf area. Our results confirm the already reported strong importance of the three measured variables (number of leaves and area of the largest and smallest leaf) as predictors of the shoot leaf area. The proposed models can be used to accurately predict Syrah primary and secondary leaf area per shoot in any phase of the growing cycle. They are inexpensive, practical, non-destructive methods which do not require specialized staff or expensive equipment.

Assessing canopy temperature patterns in two grapevine varieties subjected to deficit irrigation: a tool to optimize water management ?

A better understanding of grapevine responses to drought and high air temperatures can help to optimize vineyard management to improve water use efficiency, yield and berry quality. Faster and robust field phenotyping tools are needed in modern precision viticulture, in particular in dry and hot regions such as the Mediterranean. Canopy temperature (Tc) is commonly used to monitor water stress in plants/crops and to characterize stomatal physiology in different woody species including Vitis vinifera. Thermography permits remote determination of leaf surface or canopy temperature in the field and also to assess the range and spatial distribution of temperature from different parts of the canopies. Our hypothesis is that grapevine genotypes may show different Tc patterns along the day due to different stomatal behaviour and heat dissipation strategies. We have monitored the diurnal and seasonal course of Tc in two grapevine genotypes, Aragonez (syn. Tempranillo) and Touriga Nacional subjected to deficit irrigation under typical Mediterranean climate conditions. Temperature measurements were complemented by determination of the diurnal course of leaf water potential (ψleaf) and leaf gas exchange. Measurements were done in two seasons (2013 and 2014) at different phenological stages: i) mid-June (green berry stage), ii) mid-July (veraison), iii) early August (early ripening) and iv) before harvest (late ripening). Correlations between Tc and minimal stomatal conductance will be presented for the two genotypes along the day. Results are discussed over the use of thermal imagery to derive information on genotype physiology in response to changing environmental conditions and to mild water stress induced by deficit irrigation. Strategies to optimize the use of thermal imaging in field conditions are also proposed

Canopy management effects on Syrah grapevines under tropical semi-arid conditions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of shoot topping and leaf removal practices on vegetative vigor, yield and physicochemical characteristics of the 'Syrah' grape in the semi-arid tropical climate conditions of the São Francisco River Valley in the northeast of Brazil. The experiment was conducted over five growing cycles from 2010 to 2012 in a 'Syrah' commercial vineyard in the municipality of Casa Nova, Bahia, Brazil. Treatments consisted of leaf removal once or twice during fruit set or at the beginning of bunch closure, and one or two shoot toppings of the berry when pea-sized or 10 days after berry growth had commenced. Leaf removal and shoot topping did not affect yield, plant vigor components nor the main attributes of fruit quality. In contrast, there was a seasonal effect with higher yield and better balance between production and vigor in grapes produced in the first half of 2012. The Syrah grape quality was favored in cycles in the first half of the year when its ripening phase coincided with the period of mild temperatures.

Production of Syrah wines in tropical conditions of Northeast Brazil.

Twenty years ago, in the Northeast Brazil, a tropical semi-arid area, the production of tropical wines from some Vitis vinifera L. cultivars started. In this region, it is possible to harvest two times a year, between April and December, and nowadays Syrah is the most cultivated wine grape. Research works about irrigation rnanagement in Syrah started in 2000 at Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). The aim of this paper is to introduce some characteristics about the region where Syrah grapevines is being cultivated under irrigation in Northeast Brazil, and to present some results obtained from field experiments as well as some grape and wine charcteristics already determined.

Fungal endophytic communities associated to the phyllosphere of grapevine cultivars under different types of management

Fungal endophytes present in different asymptomatic grapevine plants (Vitis vinifera L.) located in different vineyards within Alentejo, a highly important viticulture region in Portugal, were identified in this study. Sampled grapevine plants included the three most representative cultivars in the region, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Aragonez, growing under two different modes of management, conventional and biological. Sixteen fungal taxa were identified through sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region. Total number of endophytic fungi isolated showed significant differences both in management mode and in cultivars, with higher numbers in grapevines under conventional mode and from Syrah cultivar. The composition of fungal endophytic communities did not show significant differences among cultivars, but differences were observed between fungal communities isolated from grapevines under biological or conventional modes. The most fungal taxa isolated from grapevines cultivated under biological mode were Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium sp., and Nigrospora oryzae, and under conventional mode Botrytis cinerea, Epicoccum nigrum, and Epicoccum sp. These differences suggest that the different products used in grapevine production have impacts in fungal endophytic composition. Further investigation of the identified fungi with respect to their antagonistic characteristics and potential use in plant protection to ensure food safety is now in course.

Processos de recrutamento, seleção e admissão, em massa, de trabalhadores agrícolas numa média empresa

O presente relatório surge do seguimento do estágio curricular em contexto do trabalho final do Mestrado em Gestão – Recursos Humanos, realizado no período de seis meses na organização Vale da Rosa, especificamente no departamento de Recursos Humanos. Este trabalho tem como principal objetivo identificar e descrever pormenorizadamente todo o procedimento efetuado, em contexto profissional, os processos de recrutamento, seleção e admissão de trabalhadores agrícolas. Esta experiência serviu para o desenvolvimento e aquisição de novas competências, onde a mestranda conjugou a base teórica com a prática. As atividades desenvolvidas durante o estágio curricular, como foi referido anteriormente, foram o recrutamento, a seleção e a admissão de trabalhadores agrícolas na entidade acolhedora. Estes processos foram feitos em grande escala devido ao número de indivíduos que são colocados durante o período da colheita, que é aproximadamente cinco meses, para abranger os 250 hectares de vinha. São processamentos adaptados para a área em questão, área de viticultura, o que implica serem utilizados métodos pouco idênticos aos que são referidos pelos diferentes autores; ABSTRACT: Recruitment Processes, Selection and Admission, Mass, Farm Workers in Medium Enterprises This report arises from the follow-up of the curricular internship in the context of the final work of the Masters in Management - Human Resources, carried out during the six-month period in the Vale da Rosa organization, specifically in the Human Resources department. The main objective of this work is to identify and describe in detail the entire procedure carried out, in a professional context, the recruitment, selection and admission processes of agricultural workers. This experience served to develop and acquire new skills, where the master student combined the theoretical base with the practice. The activities developed during the curricular internship, as mentioned previously, were the recruitment, selection and admission of agricultural workers to the welcoming entity. These processes were carried out on a large scale due to the number of individuals being placed during the harvest period, which is approximately five months, to cover the 250 hectares of vineyard. They are adapted processes for the area in question, area of viticulture, which implies using methods not very similar to those that are mentioned by different authors.

Organic and nitrogen fertilization of soil under Syrah grapevine: effects on soil chemical properties and nitrate concentration.

Viticulture is an activity of great social and economic importance in the lower-middle region of the São Francisco River valley in northeastern Brazil. In this region, the fertility of soils under vineyards is generally poor. To assess the effects of organic and nitrogen fertilization on chemical properties and nitrate concentrations in an Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Typic Plinthustalf), a field experiment was carried out in Petrolina, Pernambuco, on Syrah grapevines. Treatments consisted of two rates of organic fertilizer (0 and 30 m3 ha-1) and five N rates (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 kg ha-1), in a randomized block design arranged in split plots, with five replications. The organic fertilizer levels represented the main plots and the N levels, the subplots. The source of N was urea and the source of organic fertilizer was goat manure. Irrigation was applied through a drip system and N by fertigation. At the end of the third growing season, soil chemical properties were determined and nitrate concentration in the soil solution (extracted by porous cups) was determined. Organic fertilization increased organic matter, pH, EC, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, sum of bases, base saturation, and CEC, but decreased exchangeable Cu concentration in the soil by complexation of Cu in the organic matter. Organic fertilization raised the nitrate concentration in the 0.20-0.40 m soil layer, making it leachable. Nitrate concentration in the soil increased as N rates increased, up to more than 300 mg kg-1 in soil and nearly 800 mg L-1 in the soil solution, becoming prone to leaching losses.

Zonage viticole des surfaces potentielles dans la valle centrale de Tarija, Bolivie.

La présente étude de zonage viticole a été faite dans la région de la vallée Central de Tarija(VCT), dans la ville de Tarija, au Sud de la Bolivie; une région avec plus de 400 années de tradition qui présente une vitiviniculture de haute qualité. La Vallée possède une surface total de 332 milles ha.; existant des vignobles entre 1660 y 2300 m.s.n.m. et dans ce rang d?altitude il existe 91 mille ha. avec un haut potentiel pour la culture de la vigne. Pour la détermination des surfaces homogènes de la région ont été considérés les aspects d?environnement avec l?aide d?images satellitaires, des cartes topographiques, des données climatologiques et des cartes géologiques ; pour déterminer les caractéristiques de la région pour la culture de la vigne. Au niveau climatique furent appliqués les indices du Système CCM Géo viticole développés par Tonietto & Carbonneau (2004), lesquelles considèrent des éléments thermiques (Indice Héliothermique), hydriques (Indice de sécheresse) et nictothermiques (Indice de Froid nocturne); nous avons identifié 8 types des climats différents dans toute la région. Dans les particularités du sol furent déterminés la morphologie et il a été géo référencié tous ses caractéristiques (analyses chimique et physique). S?ai fait une classification spécifique des critères de culture de la vigne pour déterminer l?aptitude du sol, en même temps ont été identifié les surfaces avec des limitants pour le conduit des vignobles. L?étude a pour objectif d?identifié les zones potentielles pour la culture de la vigne et de cette façon orienté son élargissement avec le support des politiques d?état et pertinente assistance technique au producteurs de cette région. MOTS CLES: Zonage ? grappe ? viticulture d?altitude ? altitude - Système CCM ? aptitude ? Bolivie

Climatic zoning of the Ibero-American viticultural regions.

The Ibero-American Network of Viticulture, a component of the program of agricultural technology of the CYTED (Ibero-American Program of Science and Technology for Development), is developing the project ?Zoning Methodology and Application in Viticultural Regions of Ibero-America?. An objective of the project is the climatic characterization of this large viticultural region with the participation of ten countries: Argentine, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, and Uruguay.

Climats et paysages viticoles.

Le climat est um des éléments les plus importants des facteurs naturels du milieu viticole. Em viticulture, le climat est em interaction avec le sol, le cépage et les pratiques agronomiques concernant la vigne. Cet ensemble conditionne la qualité du raisin de cuve. Les caractéristiques chimiques et sensorielles des vins.

Climatic zoning of viticultural production periods over the year in the tropical zone: application of the methodology of the géoviticulture MCC System.

2005

Régime thermique en période de maturation du raisin dans le géoclimat viticole.

Mots clés :indice de fraîcheur des nuits, amplitude thermique, Système CCM Géoviticole, zonage, qualité. Key words: cool night index, thermal amplitude, MCC System for World Viticulture, zoning, quality. RESUME Le régime thermique en période de maturation du raisin est l?une des variables déterminantes de la coloration du raisin et de la richesse en arômes, anthocyanes et polyphénols des vins. L?objectif du travail est de caractériser le régime thermique, notamment la fraîcheur des nuits et l?amplitude thermique au cours de la maturation, au niveau du climat viticole mondial, sur une base des données de 100 régions viticoles dans 30 pays, obtenue par l?intermédiaire de l?Organisation Mondiale de la Météorologie - OMM. Plusieurs indices climatiques viticoles ont été calculés: l?Indice de Fraîcheur des Nuits ?IF (ºC), l?Indice Héliothermique de Huglin ?IH (ºC) et l?Indice de Sécheresse ?IS (mm) du Système de Classification Climatique Multicritères Géoviticole, et l?amplitude thermique moyenne en août et septembre Aa-s (ºC). Egalement, sur la période véraison-récolte ?v-r(moyenne des 30 jours précédant la date de récolte, estimée sur la base d?un Indice Héliothermique de HUGLIN égal à 1.900 - approximatif pour la maturation du Cabernet-Sauvignon): la fraîcheur des nuits (FNv -r), la température moyenne de l?air (Tv-r), la température maximale de l?air (Txv-r) et l?amplitude thermique (Av-r). Les résultats montrent que IH est corrélé avec Tv-r (r=0,79**) et avec Txv-r (r=0,80**). IH représente donc bien les conditions thermiques générales de la période de maturation en ce qui concerne la température moyenne et maximale de l?air. Mais IH n?est pas corrélé ni avec Aa-s ni avec Av-r. Par contre, IF est corrélé avec Aa-s (r=-0,70**) et FNv-r est corrélé avec Av-r (r=-0,69**). Cette corrélation doit justifier, en partie, l?usage assez courant de l?amplitude thermique comme indicateur de bonnes conditions thermiques de maturation pour les régions qui présentent des valeurs élevées. Mais ce raisonnement peut amener à des caractérisations erronées. Le travail met en évidence, également, ?importance de considérer le bilan hydrique des régions (IS) dans l?analyse du régime thermique sur la qualité du raisin. On peut onclure que pour avoir une bonne caractérisation du régime thermique en période de maturation il faut considérer la fraîcheur des nuits (IF étant un bon indicateur de FNv-r moyen des régions, avec un r=0,80**), caractérisation qui peut être améliorée avec l?information des températures maximales et de sur 11l?amplitude thermique en période de maturation du raisin. Les éléments présentés peuvent servir à améliorer les indices climatiques pour estimer le potentiel qualitatif du raisin des différentes régions viticoles, notamment en complément de IF. ABSTRACT The thermal conditions during the grape ripening period are important variables related to colour of the grapes, anthocyanins, polyphenols and flavour of the wine. The main purpose of this work was to characterise the thermal conditions, especially the night coolness and the thermal amplitude during maturation, in the geoclimate of the world vine culture. A database of 100 grape-growing regions of 30 countries obtained from the World Meteorology Organisation (WMO) was used. Some climatic indexes were calculated: Cool Night Index ?IF (°C), Huglin?s Heliothermal Index ?IH (°C) and Dryness Index ?IS (mm), from the Multicriteria Climatic Classification System for World Viticulture, and the thermal amplitude in August and September Aa-s (°C). Over véraison-harvest period ?v-r(mean of the 30 days before harvesting date, estimated on the basis of HUGLIN Heliothermal Index equal to 1,900 ? approximately value to ripen Cabernet-Sauvignon) similar indexes were obtained: the cool night (FNv-r), the mean air temperature (Tv-r), the maximal air temperature (Txv-r) and the thermal amplitude (Av-r). The results showed that IH is positively correlated with Tv-r (r=0.79**), Txv-r (r=0.80)and IF (r=0.67**). Therefore, IH represents well the general thermal conditions during maturation period, specially concerning the mean and the maximal air temperature. owever, IH was correlated neither with Aa-s nor to Av-r. IF was negatively correlated with Aa-s (r= -0.70**) and FNv-r was negatively correlated with Av-r (r=-0.69**). The correlation to some extent explains the current use of the thermal amplitude to predict good ripening thermal conditions for those regions that show high values. As here we have described, this thinking may give incorrect results. This work has also showed the importance to consider the water balance of the regions (IS) in the effect of the thermal conditions in grape quality. We conclude that the characterisation of the thermal conditions during the ripening period do need the cool night index (in this case, IFis a good index to provide the mean FNv-r of the regions, r=0,80**). Factors other than cool night which influence this characterisation are both maximal air temperature and thermal amplitude data. The elements presented in this work, in addition to IF , may improve the climatic indexes to be used to predict the qualitative potential of grapes from different regions.

Zonage climatique des périodes viticoles de production dans l'année en zone tropicale: application de la méthodologie du système CCM géoviticole.

2004

Aromatic stability of Syrah and Petit Verdot tropical wines from Brazil.

The production of fine wines in the Sub-middle of the São Francisco River Valley, Northeast of Brazil, is relatively recent, about twenty-five years ago. This region presents different characteristics, with a tropical semiarid climate, in a flat landscape. Presenting high annual average temperature, solar radiation and water in abundance for irrigation, it?s possible the scaling the grape harvests for winemaking throughout the year, allowing to obtain until two harvests per year. Several factors may affect the aromatic compounds in wines, such as viticulture practices, climatic conditions, cultivars and winemaking process. This study aimed to evaluate the aromatic stability of Syrah and Petit Verdot tropical wines elaborated in two different periods in the year. The grapes were harvested in the first and second semesters of 2009, in June and November. The wines were elaborated and then, they were bottled and analyzed in triplicate, thirty days and one year after bottling, by gas chromatography with ionization detector flame (GC-FID), to evaluate the profile and the stability of the aroma compounds. Principal component analysis was applied to discriminate between wine samples and to find the compounds responsible by the variability. The results showed that Syrah and Petit Verdot tropical wines presented different responses, for stability of higher alcohols, esters and carboxylic acids.