'Tempranillo Tinto' is one of the most relevant grapevine cultivars worldwide. Despite its early ripening and relatively short vegetative cycle, which may not be ideal for high-quality grape and wine production in warming conditions, its long-standing cultivation has led to an intense multiplication by cuttings, which originated the high level of clonal variation currently available. Now, this intra-varietal diversity provides an interesting opportunity for cultivar improvement by identifying genotypes with better adaptation potential.To explore this potential, we conducted a comprehensive study on 30 'Tempranillo Tinto' clones, chosen from a wide selection of 729 clones in the Rioja winemaking region of Spain. The focus was on characterizing four key phenological stages (budburst, full flowering, veraison, and harvest), for each clone over three consecutive seasons (2020-2022). Results revealed substantial differences among the studied clones, particularly in the duration of their vegetative cycle. Thus, whilst some early clones reached full maturity as early as September, others needed to be harvested at the end of the same month. The most significant difference among clones was observed in the interval between veraison and harvest dates, varying by up to 27 days. In conclusion, our findings suggest that clonal diversity in phenological traits can be an effective strategy to address varietal limitations towards climate conditions. This approach allows for the preservation of the typicity and added value conferred by ancient elite varieties in traditional winemaking regions, without the necessity of switching cultivars.
Two treatments were studied in vines of cv. Tempranillo blanco (Vitis vinifera L.) during the 2012-2018 period in an experimental plot located in Rincón de Soto (La Rioja, Spain). Rainfed treatment (R0) was compared with respect to an irrigation treatment (R2) equivalent to 30% of the crop evapotranspiration (ET0) from fruitset to harvest phenological stages. Pre-veraison irrigation ranged from 43 (2014) to 66 mm/m2 (2018) while post-veraison irrigation ranged from 37 (2017) to 115 mm/m2 (2012).The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was assessed by measures of reflectance, nutrients were determined by analysis of petioles sampled at veraison, grape production was determined at harvest as well as renewable wood weight was assessed at pruning time. NDVI results showed a higher biomass development for R2 which in general agreed with higher R2 production at harvest as well as a trend to a higher renewable wood weight at pruning time. Due to it, nutrient content in petioles showed, in general, the higher limitation in R2 with respect to Mg uptake and, in a lesser extent, K uptake, which were also reflected in the Ca/Mg and Mg/K ratios in petiole. Furthermore, the higher Ca and P concentrations in petiole observed for R2 throughout the season suggests their sufficiency and higher availability in R2 soils with respect to the dryer conditions of R0 soils. Finally, the higher Carbon concentration in petiole of R0 also showed the higher limitation of R0 for nutrient availability and later uptake with respect to R2.
Sunburn results from a combination of excessive photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and UV radiation and temperature that can be exacerbated by other stress factors such as water deficit. Sunburn is a physiological disorder that affects the visual and organoleptic properties of grapes. The appearance of brown and necrotic spots severely affects the commercial value of the fruit, and in extreme cases, significantly decreases yield. This damage occurs with some frequency in sensitive varieties such as Graciano. In order to mitigate these impacts, a shading technique has been proposed using protection nets that try to prevent the bunches from receiving excessive sun exposure. The experience shown in this work has been carried out during the years 2021 and 2022, using nets with shading capacity of 50% and 70%, and in 2023 using nets with 25% and 50% with shading capacity. The results have shown that the nets have significantly reduced the temperature of the bunch, also avoiding damage from sunburn. Besides, the organic acid content of the must has reached slightly higher values in the treatments with netting, compared to the control, but not significantly. In wine, the polyphenolic load has shown a variable behavior depending on the year, possibly conditioned by the variations in yield linked to the sunburn. The tasting panel has shown a certain inclination towards the wines from the net treatments.
Research into alternative vineyard practices is essential to maintain long-term viticulture sustainability. Organic mulching on the vine row improves vine cultivation properties, such as increasing soil water retention and nutrient availability. This study overviewed the effects of three organic mulches (spent mushroom compost (SMC), straw (STR), and grapevine pruning debris (GPD)) and two conventional soil practices (herbicide application (HERB) and tillage (TILL)) on grapevine physiology, agronomy, and grape quality parameters over three years. SMC mulch enhanced soil moisture and nutrient concentration. However, its mineral composition increased soil electrical conductivity (0.78 dS m⁻1) and induced grapevine water stress due to osmotic effects without significantly affecting yield plant development. Only minor differences in leaf physiological parameters were observed during the growing season. However, straw (STR) mulch reduced water stress and increased photosynthetic capacity, resulting in higher pruning weights. Organic mulches, particularly SMC and STR, increased grape pH, potassium, malic acid, and tartaric acid levels, while reducing yeast assimilable nitrogen. The effect of organic mulching on grapevine development depends mainly on soil and mulch properties, soil water availability, and environmental conditions. This research highlights the importance of previous soil and organic mulch analysis to detect vineyard requirements and select the most appropriate soil management treatment.
Effective vineyard management is essential for maintaining grapevine cultivation in semi-arid regions impacted by climate change. Utilising organic mulches is a viable soil management practice that improves soil properties, such as moisture retention, erosion control and soil structure. However, the effect of organic mulches on plant development and grape composition remains unclear. The present study analysed the effects of three organic mulches and two conventional soil management practices on vine physiology, agronomy and grape composition over three years under semi-arid conditions in northern Spain. Three organic mulches (spent mushroom compost-SMC, straw-STR and grapevine pruning debris-GPD) were compared with two conventional soil management practices (herbicide-HERB and tillage-TILL) in nutrient-poor soil. Physical and chemical soil properties, grapevine physiological response, leaf nutrition, growth development, yield and grape composition were evaluated in the Tempranillo cultivar. The SMC mulch improved soil water content, leaf nitrogen concentrations and vegetative growth, resulting in higher yields without compromising grape composition. Conversely, STR mulch increased soil water content, reduced soil temperature, and improved plant water status and leaf gas exchange variables without affecting vine growth and yield. However, no significant differences in grape carbon isotopic discrimination (δ13C) were observed between soil management treatments. SMC’s nutrient-rich composition, fine granularity and low C/N ratio could thus promote short-term plant development in poor-nutrient soils, and STR and GPD organic mulches may offer long-term benefits for vine development. A strong correlation was obtained between reflectance values and vegetative growth, yield and leaf nutritional content, offering a non-destructive and rapid assessment method. Overall, organic mulches represent a viable soil management alternative that enhances plant development and yield without reducing grape composition. This research provides valuable insights for winegrowers interested in suitable viticultural practices and highlights the importance of analysing soil and mulch properties to select the most appropriate organic mulch.
The current trend toward sustainable agricultural practices creates a demand for alternatives to conventional soil management. One of the main problems for farmers is the competition for water and nutrients of weeds with the crop and the complicated management that this entails. Conventional practices such as tillage and the use of herbicides are commonly used and imply high environmental impacts while organic mulches could be an attractive sustainable alternative for soil management. Therefore, the effect of different soil management practices with organic mulches on the control of spontaneous weeds in the vine row has been studied. Three types of organic mulches (grapevine pruning debris (GPD), straw (SM) and spent mushroom compost (SMC)) and two conventional soil management methods (in-row tillage (TILL) and herbicide (HERB)) were compared on a vineyard in North Spain. For this purpose, the percentage of soil covered by weeds (PWC), the presence of each species and its effect on the vine development, and the weed community formations were analysed in each soil management. In addition, soil nutrition, soil temperature and soil water content were measured. On the one hand, SM and GPD mulches limited the presence of weeds (<30%), reducing the need for tillage maintenance and improving soil integrity. On the other hand, SMC produced excessive weed growth (>85%) that could be a problem for the farmer. Of the conventional practices, the TILL treatment was strongly affected by the timing of agricultural work and environmental conditions, with large variability between years. The results indicated that the application of organic mulches reduced the percentage of species with a harmful effect on optimal vine growth and increased plant diversity and its benefits for the ecosystem. Organic mulches are an effective alternative for soil management due to the improvement of the chemical and physical properties of the soil, the increase in the water content of the soil, the reduction of heat stress and the percentage of noxious species for optimum vine growth.
The current trend toward sustainable agricultural practices creates a demand for alternatives to conventional soil management. One of the main problems for farmers is the competition for water and nutrients of weeds with the crop and the complicated management that this entails. Conventional practices such as tillage and the use of herbicides are commonly used and imply high environmental impacts while organic mulches could be an attractive sustainable alternative for soil management. Therefore, the 3-year effect of different soil management practices with organic mulches on the control of spontaneous weeds in the vine row has been studied. Three types of organic mulches [grapevine pruning debris (GPD), straw (SM) and spent mushroom compost (SMC)] and two conventional soil management methods [in-row tillage (TILL) and herbicide (HERB)] were compared on a vineyard in North Spain. For this purpose, the percentage of soil covered by weeds (PWC), the presence of each species and its effect on the vine development, and the weed community formations were analysed in each soil management. In addition, soil nutrition, soil temperature and soil water content were measured. On the one hand, SM and GPD mulches limited the presence of weeds (<30%), reducing the need for tillage maintenance and improving soil integrity. On the other hand, SMC produced excessive weed growth (>85%) that could be a problem for the farmer. Of the conventional practices, the TILL treatment was strongly affected by the timing of agricultural work and environmental conditions, with large variability between years. The results indicated that the application of organic mulches reduced the percentage of species with a harmful effect on optimal vine growth and increased plant diversity and its benefits for the ecosystem. Organic mulches are an effective alternative for soil management due to the improvement of the chemical and physical properties of the soil, the increase in the water content of the soil, the reduction of heat stress and the percentage of noxious species for optimum vine growth.
Trabajo presentado en el 20th GIESCO International Meeting (Group of International Experts for Cooperation on Vitivinicultural Systems), celebrado en Mendoza (Argentina) del 5 al 9 de noviembre de 2017