The effect of leaf removal and canopy height on whole-vine gas exchange and fruit development of Vitis vinifera L. Sauvignon Blanc

Canopy topping and leaf removal are management practices commonly used in New Zealand vineyards to increase light and pesticide penetration to the fruit zone, thus, reducing disease incidence. Previous research has suggested that an increase in photosynthesis occurs when leaves are removed, and this may compensate for the reduced leaf area. However, it is difficult to extrapolate single-leaf photosynthesis measurements to a whole-plant scale. Therefore the extent of the compensation is unknown. To evaluate the impact of leaf removal and canopy height on whole-vine photosynthesis, treatments were imposed during the lag phase of berry growth. Leaves were removed from the lower quarter of the canopy, or vines were topped to three quarters of the height of control plants, in a two-by-two-factorial design. Both topping and leaf removal caused a decrease in whole-vine photosynthesis immediately after the treatments were imposed. Leaf removal, but not topping height, reduced photosynthesis on a per unit leaf area basis. This suggests that the lower portion of the canopy contributes more than the upper portion of the canopy to whole-vine photosynthesis. When measurements were made again approximately two months later, tall vines without leaf removal had a higher photosynthesis rate than the other treatments. Fruit yield, sugar content, vine carbohydrate reserves and pruning weights followed trends similar to those observed for photosynthesis, suggesting that although some photosynthetic compensation occurred, the defoliation treatments had a negative effect on vine growth.

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Effects of canopy management practices on grapevine bud fruitfulness

OENO One ◽

10.20870/oeno-one.2020.54.2.3016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cassandra Collins ◽

Xiaoyi Wang ◽

Stephen Lesefko ◽

Roberta De Bei ◽

Sigfredo Fuentes

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Shoot Growth ◽

Management Practices ◽

Growing Season ◽

Light Interception ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

Leaf Removal ◽

Growth Capacity ◽

The Impact ◽

Canopy Management

Background and aims: Bud fruitfulness is a key component of grapevine reproductive performance as it determines crop production for the following growing season. While canopy microclimate can impact bud fruitfulness, the effects of canopy management practices on bud fruitfulness are not well known. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of common canopy management practices on bud fruitfulness and the relationships with shoot growth capacity, bud microclimate and bud carbohydrate level.Methods and results: Different canopy management practices, (shoot thinning, bunch thinning, leaf removal and lighter pruning) were applied to Semillon and Shiraz grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.). Light interception at the bud zone was measured after canopy management practices were applied. Bud fruitfulness at dormancy was assessed using bud dissection analysis. The number and size of inflorescence primordia, and the incidence of primary bud necrosis were recorded. The results were correlated with measurements of shoot growth capacity and carbohydrate content of buds and canes.Conclusions: Bud fruitfulness was mostly influenced by bud light interception, while the size of inflorescence primordia was positively correlated with shoot growth capacity and the carbohydrate level of buds. By altering canopy microclimate, canopy management practices can be used to manipulate bud fruitfulness and potentially bunch size.Significance and impact of the study: This study provides novel information on the impact of canopy management on grapevine bud fruitfulness and the size of inflorescence primordia. These findings can be used to make more informed vineyard management decisions for better yield control.

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Leaf-to-fruit ratio affects the impact of foliar-applied nitrogen on N accumulation in the grape must

OENO One ◽

10.20870/oeno-one.2016.50.1.55 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 23 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thibaut Verdenal ◽

Jorge E. Spangenberg ◽

Vivian Zufferey ◽

Fabrice Lorenzini ◽

Agnes Dienes-Nagy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Management Practices ◽

Canopy Height ◽

N Recovery ◽

Total N ◽

Foliar N ◽

N Concentration ◽

N Partitioning ◽

The Impact ◽

Foliar Urea

Aims: Agroscope investigated the impact of the leaf-to-fruit ratio on nitrogen (N) partitioning in grapevine following a foliar urea application with the aim of increasing the yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) concentration in the must. Methods and results: Foliar urea was applied to field-grown Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chasselas grapevines as part of a split-plot trial with two variable parameters: canopy height (90 or 150 cm) and fruit load (5 or 10 clusters per vine). Foliar application of 20 kg/ha of 15N-labelled urea (10 atom% 15N) was performed at veraison. The isotope labelling method allowed to observe foliar-N partitioning in the plant at harvest. The leaf-to-fruit ratio varied between 0.4 and 1.6 m2/kg, and strongly impacted the N partitioning in the grapevines. Total N and foliar-N partitioning was mainly affected by the variation of canopy height. The YAN concentration varied from 143 to 230 mg/L (+60 %) depending on the leaf area. An oversized canopy (+31 %DW) induced a decrease in the total N concentration of all organs (-17 %), and a decrease in YAN quantity in the must in particular (-53 %). A negative correlation between the N concentration and the carbon isotope discrimination (CID) could be pointed out in a condition of no water restriction (e.g., R2 = 0.65 in the must).Conclusion: An excessive leaf area can induce YAN deficiency in the must. Thus, a balanced leaf-to-fruit ratio – between 1 and 1.2 m2/kg – should be maintained to guarantee grape maturity, YAN accumulation in the must and N recovery in the reserve organs. Significance and impact of the study: The results of this study encourage further research to understand the role of other physiological parameters that affect N partitioning in the grapevine – YAN accumulation in the must in particular – and add new perspectives for N management practices in the vineyard.

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Efficiency of different strategies for the control of grey mold on grapes including gibberellic acid (Gibb3), leaf removal and/or botrycide treatments

OENO One ◽

10.20870/oeno-one.2010.44.3.1469 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 151 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Danièle Evers ◽

Daniel Molitor ◽

Melanie Rothmeier ◽

Marc Behr ◽

Serge Fischer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gibberellic Acid ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Cluster Structure ◽

Pinot Noir ◽

Leaf Removal ◽

Wine Quality ◽

Additional Measure ◽

Grey Mold ◽

The Impact

Aim: The present work evaluated different strategies for the control of grey mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, on wine grapes, including the use of the plant growth regulator Gibb3, leaf removal and/or botryticide treatments. The efficiency of the different control strategies (disease incidence and severity, yield) as well as the effect on the cluster structure was investigated.Methods and results: The trials were conducted in commercial vineyards in the Moselle Valley (Luxembourg) between the years 2007 and 2009, on the Pinot gris, Pinot blanc and Pinot noir grape varieties. The untreated control (T1) was compared to the following treatments : (T2) Gibb3, (T3) Gibb3 combined with leaf removal in the cluster zone after bloom, (T4) leaf removal after bloom combined with two times botryticides and (T5) Gibb3 combined with two times botryticides. The combination of Gibb3 with leaf removal or botryticide applications led to an efficiency level in grey mold reduction of around 60% and a decrease in cluster density when compared to the control. Moreover, we showed that the progression of grey mold disease was slowed down by the three treatments T3, T4 and T5.Conclusions: Gibberellic acid applied at full bloom as stand-alone treatment did not reduce in a significant way the compactness of the grape clusters and the impact on grey mold development was low. For a significant decrease of disease severity, gibberellic acid had to be combined with an additional measure, such as leaf removal or the use of botryticides. Based on its positive effect on cluster structure and microclimate, leaf removal can be recommended as a basic measure that can be further combined with an application of botryticides or gibberellic acid.Significance and impact of the study: All the tested strategies combining two measures have shown their potential to prolong the ripening period and therewith to improve wine quality. Moreover, the combined use of gibberellic acid and leaf removal represents a sustainable strategy for integrated viticulture due to its reduced input of organic-synthetic pesticides into the environment.

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Influence of summer management practices and date of harvesting on organic acids concentration and sugar concentration in grapes of Vitis vinifera L., cv. Riesling

Horticultural Science ◽

10.17221/213/2017-hortsci ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 211-218

Author(s):

Lubomír Lampíř ◽

Jiří Źaloudek

Keyword(s):

Vitis Vinifera ◽

Management Practices ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Acid Ratio ◽

Lateral Shoots ◽

The Impact ◽

Wine Ageing ◽

Cool Climate

The impact of summer canopy management was investigated in Vitis vinifera L., cv. Riesling. Sugar and organic acid concentrations were measured for the six defoliation treatments. Titratable acidity (TA) was measured twice before harvest and once at the date of harvest. The same measurements were done twice during wine ageing. The young wine was measured for concentrations of malic, tartaric and volatile acids. Treatments with appropriate defoliation, where shortened lateral shoots (up to two leaves) were retained, supported the process of wine grape ripening to the greatest extend in the cool climate of the Czech Republic, while treatments with almost no defoliation yielded the worst results. The TA decreased during fruit ripening after veraison and continued to decrease during wine maturation. The tendency of decreasing with time was shown for the malic to tartaric acid ratio as well. Concentrations of volatile acids were sufficiently low in each of the treatments.

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Do farming practices influence the incidence of Childers canegrubs, Antitrogus parvulus Britton (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae)?

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar02132 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 54 (3) ◽

pp. 259 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Peter G. Allsopp ◽

Timothy W. A. Fischer ◽

George S. Bade ◽

David J. Dall

Keyword(s):

Controlled Release ◽

Management Practices ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Sugar Content ◽

Farming Practices ◽

Ratoon Crop ◽

Insecticide Application ◽

Previous Crop ◽

The Impact ◽

Third Instar Larvae

The impact of farming practices on numbers of Childers canegrubs was determined in southern Queensland by a survey of 441 field–year combinations that related practices to the numbers of second- and third-instar larvae in those fields, and by a field experiment that tested combinations of insecticide application, cultivation practices, and crop-residue retention on numbers of larvae and associated entomopathogens. There were significant differences in levels of infestation among years, soil types, crop ages, cultivars grown, insecticide-use strategies, crop-replacement strategies, intensity and frequency of tillage during crop replacement, and irrigation strategies. In the field trial, numbers of third-instar larvae declined as the larvae aged, probably through infection by the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and the protozoan Adelina sp. Application at planting of the controlled-release insecticide suSCon Blue had an immediate effect on the number of larvae carried over from the previous crop cycle and this effect continued into the second-ratoon crop. The insecticide application increased cane and sugar yields, particularly in the first-ratoon crop. More intensive pre-planting tillage initially reduced numbers of larvae, but the effect did not continue into the ratoon crops. Management of crop residues had no consistent effect on numbers of larvae, but cane yields were higher and sugar content lower in the second-ratoon crop when residues were retained, and led to higher sugar yields where suSCon Blue had been applied. In general, long breaks between successive sugarcane crops, coupled with intensive tillage in that break and application of controlled-release insecticide, will reduce subsequent populations of larvae. The alternative strategy of herbicide destruction of the previous crop, long fallow with minimum tillage, replanting without controlled-release insecticide, and prudent use of transient insecticides in heavily infested ratoon crops will also minimise numbers and may allow better survival of entomopathogens. These strategies have been integrated into management practices attractive to growers.

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The impact of stubble management on the incidence of crown rot of wheat

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9890091 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 91 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

BA Summerell ◽

LW Burgess ◽

TA Klein

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Management Practices ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Crown Rot ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Stubble Retention ◽

The Impact ◽

Stubble Burning

The influence of 3 stubble management practices, stubble retention, stubble incorporation and stubble burning, on the incidence of crown rot of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe Group 1, and on plant development and grain yield was examined. The incidence of disease (percentage plants affected) was assessed in a susceptible (cv. Sunstar) and moderately resistant cultivar (cv. Suneca) in 1986. In 1987 Sunstar was planted into stubble of the 2 cultivars to assess the influence of host resistance on disease carryover. Crown rot was highest in the stubble retention plots (81% incidence in 1986 and 59% in 1987), whereas stubble burning decreased disease incidence in both years, with the reduction being greater in the second year (47% and 16%). Stubble incorporation was ineffective in reducing disease levels (76% and 53% in years 1 and 2). The incidence of crown rot did not differ in the 2 cultivars. At the harvest sampling in 1987 there were no differences in crown rot incidence in plants sown into stubble of the 2 cultivars. Grain yield did not differ significantly between treatments, but early season plant dry weight was reduced in the retained plots. Grain protein levels were reduced (P< 0.05) in the stubble burnt plots.

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A comparison of management practices, farmer-perceived disease incidence and winter housing on organic and non-organic dairy farms in the UK

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029908003622 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 6-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Fritha M Langford ◽

Kenneth MD Rutherford ◽

Mhairi C Jack ◽

Lorna Sherwood ◽

Alistair B Lawrence ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Housing Quality ◽

Organic Farms ◽

Organic Dairy ◽

The Uk ◽

Organic Dairy Farms ◽

The Impact ◽

Farm Types

There have been increases in the number of organic dairy farms in the UK in recent years. However, there is little information on the impact of organic regulations on cow welfare. As part of a larger study, we aimed to investigate differences between organic and non-organic farms in management practices and winter housing quality. Forty organic and 40 non-organic farms throughout the UK were visited. Organic and non-organic farms were paired for housing type, and as far as possible for herd size, genetic merit and location. A detailed questionnaire covering key aspects of dairy management was carried out with each farmer. On a subset of twenty pairs, an assessment of the quality of the winter housing for both lactating and dry cows was undertaken, covering the parlour, bedding, loafing and feeding areas. Management practices and building conditions varied greatly within farm types and there was considerable overlap between organic and non-organic farms. Milk yield, level and composition of concentrate feed, management of heifers and calving, and use of ‘alternative treatments’ to prevent and treat mastitis differed between organic and non-organic farms. In all other respects there were no differences between farm types. Building dimensions per cow did not differ, even though organic recommendations advise greater space per cow than recommended for non-organic farms. The similarity between organic and non-organic farms in most respects indicates that cow housing and health, based on both the described management regimes and the farmers' perceptions of disease incidence, on organic dairy farms is neither compromised by the regulations, nor considerably better than on non-organic farms.

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Early Leaf Removal Increases Berry and Wine Phenolics in Cabernet Sauvignon Grown in Eastern Serbia

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11020238 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 238

Author(s):

Dejan Stefanovic ◽

Nina Nikolic ◽

Ljiljana Kostic ◽

Slavica Todic ◽

Miroslav Nikolic

Keyword(s):

Sugar Content ◽

Alcohol Concentration ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

Cabernet Sauvignon ◽

Leaf Removal ◽

Wine Quality ◽

Berry Skin ◽

Phenolic Profile ◽

Berry Composition ◽

Acid Esters

Cluster zone leaf removal is a well-established viticulture practice for improving cluster microclimate and wine quality in cooler climates, while its efficacy in warmer conditions is less is known. Here we compared the effect of early (ELR, after fruit set; diameter of berries 3–5 mm) and late (LLR, beginning of veraison) leaf removal on berry composition and wine phenolic profile of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) variety Cabernet Sauvignon grown in a temperate, warmer region of Eastern Serbia. Compared to the control (no leaf removal), both leaf removal treatments increased the sugar content in fresh juice and alcohol concentration in wine. Over three consecutive years (2011–2013) markedly different in temperature and rainfall, ELR was clearly most effective in decreasing weights of cluster and of one berry, and in increasing of skin share in a berry. The content of total phenols, tartaric acid esters, anthocyanins, and flavanols in berry skin and wine was the highest in ELR treatment. ELR prominently modified the phenolic profile: Increasing flavanols, myricetin and quercetine in skin and wine, and anthocyanins, peonidin-3-glucoside in skin and delphinidin-3-glucoside in wine. This work demonstrated that early leaf removal positively influenced the chemical composition of berries and wine of Cabernet Sauvignon and might be recommended for practice in the temperate warm conditions.

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Semi-Minimal-Pruned Hedge (SMPH) as a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy: Impact of Different Yield Regulation Approaches on Vegetative and Generative Development, Maturity Progress and Grape Quality in Riesling

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11083304 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 3304

Author(s):

Jan Schäfer ◽

Matthias Friedel ◽

Daniel Molitor ◽

Manfred Stoll

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Adaptation Strategy ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Training System ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

Grape Quality ◽

Regulation Strategies ◽

The Impact ◽

Moderate Climate

The training system Semi-Minimal-Pruned Hedge (SMPH) blends features of traditional Vertical Shoot Positioning-type (VSP) trellising systems with the concept of minimal pruning. While saving labor, this training system results in relatively high crop load and a poor leaf area to fruit weight-ratio (LFR), and thus, needs to be able to ripen grapes in a cool to moderate climate. For these reasons the impact of yield regulation strategies, including (i) shoot thinning (Darwin-Rotor), (ii) biotechnological thinning (Gibberellic acid), and (iii) bunch thinning (harvest machine) were trialed in a three year study at Geisenheim, Germany between 2017 and 2019 using Riesling (Vitis vinifera L.). The average yield per vine in SMPH (5.34 ± 1.10 kg) was 61.1% higher with a narrower LFR (14.01 cm2 g−1), compared with VSP (3.32 ± 1.02 kg, LFR: 16.99 cm2 g−1). The yield was successfully reduced and LFR simultaneously increased with shoot thinning (−33.1%, LFR: 19.04 cm2 g−1), biotechnological thinning (−18.3%, LFR: 16.69 cm2 g−1) and bunch thinning (−37.3%, LFR: 21.49 cm2 g−1). Ripening was delayed in SMPH. On average, two maturity thresholds (14.1 °Brix and 18.2 °Brix) were achieved 129 GDD (seven days according to the recorded daily mean temperatures, respectively) and 269 GDD (16 days) later in non-thinned SMPH, compared to VSP. All thinning treatments accelerated maturity progress ranging from 27 GDD (two days) to 58 GDD (three days) for 14.1 °Brix and 59 GDD (three days) to 105 GDD (six days) for 18.2 °Brix. Apart from immediate benefits on the economic efficiency, the adaption of the leaf area to fruit weight ratio using SMPH holds high potential to, (i) produce grapes targeting specific wine profiles and/or (ii) reducing the velocity of ripening under conditions of climatic change.

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Validating the Strategic Deployment of Blackleg Resistance Gene Groups in Commercial Canola Fields on the Canadian Prairies

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.669997 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Justine Cornelsen ◽

Zhongwei Zou ◽

Shuanglong Huang ◽

Paula Parks ◽

Ralph Lange ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Key Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Genetic Resistance ◽

Leptosphaeria Maculans ◽

R Genes ◽

Blackleg Disease ◽

Canadian Prairies ◽

Blackleg Resistance ◽

The Impact

Blackleg, caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is a serious threat to canola (Brassica napus L.) production in western Canada. Crop scouting and extended crop rotation, along with the use of effective genetic resistance, have been key management practices available to mitigate the impact of the disease. In recent years, new pathogen races have reduced the effectiveness of some of the resistant cultivars deployed. Strategic deployment and rotation of major resistance (R) genes in cultivars have been used in France and Australia to help increase the longevity of blackleg resistance. Canada also introduced a grouping system in 2017 to identify blackleg R genes in canola cultivars. The main objective of this study was to examine and validate the concept of R gene deployment through monitoring the avirulence (Avr) profile of L. maculans population and disease levels in commercial canola fields within the Canadian prairies. Blackleg disease incidence and severity was collected from 146 cultivars from 53 sites across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta in 2018 and 2019, and the results varied significantly between gene groups, which is likely influenced by the pathogen population. Isolates collected from spring and fall stubble residues were examined for the presence of Avr alleles AvrLm1, AvrLm2, AvrLm3, AvrLm4, AvrLm5, AvrLm6, AvrLm7, AvrLm9, AvrLm10, AvrLm11, AvrLepR1, AvrLepR2, AvrLep3, and AvrLmS using a set of differential host genotypes carrying known resistance genes or PCR-based markers. The Simpson’s evenness index was very low, due to two dominant L. maculans races (AvrLm2-4-5-6-7-10-11 and AvrLm2-5-6-7-10-11) representing 49% of the population, but diversity of the population was high from the 35 L. maculans races isolated in Manitoba. AvrLm6 and AvrLm11 were found in all 254 L. maculans isolates collected in Manitoba. Knowledge of the blackleg disease levels in relation to the R genes deployed, along with the L. maculans Avr profile, helps to measure the effectiveness of genetic resistance.

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