Influence of spraying of copper fungicides on physiological parameters of Vitis vinifera L. Cv. ‘Merlot’

L’agricoltura dei territori costituenti l’antica “Terra di Lavoro”, territorio che oggi è compreso nella provincia di Caserta ed in parte di quelle di Frosinone e Latina, ha subito a partire dal 1970

Climate change strongly affects the wine-growing sector which increasingly requires in situ adaptation strategies aimed at preserving the sustainability of production. Investigating microclimate becomes crucial in comprehending environmental pressures on plants. The microclimatic investigation conducted in the Orvieto PDO (central Italy) allowed us to highlight the climatic dynamics occurring in the last 25 years and the frequency and intensity of abiotic stresses. Two management strategies for the canopy were identified: early defoliation (ELR) and foliar application of Basalt Flour ® (FB) compared to the ordinary management (C) of the company (bud selection and topping). The effects on plant vigour indices (LAI), resource allocation in terms of carbon stored in the above-ground organs of the vine, and the microclimate of the canopy and the berry were evaluated. In particular, microclimate was evaluated through a network of sensors connected wirelessly (Wireless Sensor Network), dedicated to collecting information on temperature and humidity in the canopy and clusters.

Non-Saccharomyces yeasts not only increase microbial diversity during wine fermentation, but also have a positive effect on improving wine aroma. Among these non-Saccharomyces yeast species, Metschnikowia pulcherrima is often studied and used in winemaking in recent years, but its application in icewine has been rarely reported. In this study, indigenous M. pulcherrima strains and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (commercial and indigenous strains) were sequentially inoculated for icewine fermentations; meanwhile, pure S. cerevisiae fermentations were used as the control; indigenous strains used above were screened from spontaneous fermentations of Vidal blanc icewine.

Over the next 25 years, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2013) predicts a ~20% increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration compared to the current level. Concurrently, temperatures are steadily rising. Grapevines, known for their climate sensitivity, will show changes in phenology, physiological processes and grape compositions in response. Investigating eco-physiological processes provides insights into the response of field-grown grapevines to elevated CO2 conditions. A Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) facility was established in the Rheingau region of Germany. Two grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L., cvs. Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon) were planted, with the VineyardFACE comprising three rings with ambient atmospheric CO2 (approx. 400 – 420 ppm from 2014 to 2023, aCO2) and three rings with elevated CO2 concentration (+20% to ambient; eCO2).

The study of the physiological behaviour of the grapevine (cv. Chasselas), and of plant hydraulics in particular, was conducted on various « terroirs » in the Canton of Vaud (Switzerland) between 2001 and 2003 by Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, in collaboration with the firm I. Letessier (SIGALES) in Grenoble and the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL). An evaluation of the vine plant hydraulics was made by means of physiological indicators (leaf and stem water potentials, transpiration and leaf stomatal conductance, carbon isotope discrimination and a model of transpirable soil water), in relation to estimations of the soil water reservoir and climatic factors.