Estimation of yield ‘Loureira’ variety with an aerobiological and phenological model

Abstract The knowledge of potential grape production is of great value for harvest and post-harvest planning because it enables the winery to estimate requirements in terms of crop insurance and grape-picking workforce, to optimise post-harvest processes, and the detection of frauds as a consequence of grape introduction from outside into the denomination areas. An aerobiological and phenological study of the ‘Loureira’ grape variety was carried out at a Ribeiro Designation of Origin vineyard (Ourense, Spain) from 2004 to 2009. Aerobiological data were obtained using a Lanzoni VPPS-2000 volumetric trap placed inside the vineyard, while phenological observations were conducted on 20 selected vines, using the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and chemical industry) standardised scale. During the grapevine cycle, the highest total fungal spore amount was recorded in 2008 (Botrytis cinerea: 40 773 spores, Uncinula necator: 4141 spores, Plasmopara viticola: 921 spores). The highest number of flo...