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IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Study of grape plant behaviour (cv. Chasselas) on various “terroirs” of the Vaud county (Switzerland)

Study of grape plant behaviour (cv. Chasselas) on various “terroirs” of the Vaud county (Switzerland)

Abstract

[English version below]

L’étude du comportement physiologique et agronomique de la vigne (cv. Chasselas) a été réalisée en 2001 par la Station fédérale de recherches en production végétale de Changins sur divers terroirs viticoles vaudois (Suisse), dans le cadre d’un projet d’étude des terroirs viticoles vaudois en collaboration avec le bureau I LETESSIER (SIGALES) à Grenoble et l’École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Les unités pédologiques définies et représentatives du vignoble (moraines épaisses peu compactes, moraines compactes de pente, colluviosols de bas de pente et peyrosols) ont entraîné des réponses pertinentes du végétal, notamment sur le comportement hydrique de la vigne, l’expression végétative et la vigueur des souches ainsi que sur les caractéristiques qualitatives de la récolte (les moraines représentant plus de 80% de la surface viticole). Le suivi de l’alimentation hydrique de la vigne, effectué au moyen du Ψbase, a montré que le niveau de contrainte hydrique a été faible durant la plus grande partie de la saison 2001 (année humide) sur l’ensemble du vignoble. Néanmoins, les vignes établies sur des sols à réserve utile (RU) et enracinement limités (moraines compactes de pente, moraines sur molasse conglomératique ou gréseuse) ont présenté un niveau de contrainte, qualifiée de modérée durant la maturation du raisin. Les vignes situées sur des colluviosols, des moraines épaisses et peu compactes, et des peyrosols à RU et enracinement plus importants ont été caractérisées par une absence de contrainte hydrique tout au long de la saison. La précocité des terroirs et la vitesse de croissance végétative ont été principalement influencées par le mésoclimat thermique (altitude, inclinaison et orientation des pentes).
L’expression végétative de la vigne, analysée à travers la taille moyenne des feuilles, la biomasse foliaire rognée et l’indice chlorophyllien, ainsi que la vigueur des souches (poids des bois de taille) ont été largement tributaires du réservoir en eau des sols et des conditions, d’alimentation hydrique de la plante durant la saison. Les caractéristiques de la production (poids des baies et des grappes) et de la maturation du raisin ont également été conditionnées par les terroirs. L’accumulation des sucres dans les baies a été influencée par le rapport feuille-fruit ou en d’autres tenues par la SFE/kg de raisin obtenue dans les principaux terroirs. La maîtrise de ce rapport semble déterminante. Les teneurs en acidité totale et en acide malique des moûts ont été plus élevées dans les vignes implantées sur des colluviosols, les autres terroirs indiquant des valeurs plus faibles. Le mésoclimat (principalement l’altitude) a conditionné la teneur en acidité des baies en début de maturation. L’évolution de la teneur en acide tartrique des raisins a été équivalente pour les divers terroirs. Le suivi de l’indice de formol, effectué durant la maturation, a indiqué que l’alimentation en azote des baies a été bonne à élever sur l’ensemble du réseau. Les vignes vigoureuses ont affiché des taux supérieurs de pourriture à la vendange.

In 2001 a study of the physiological and agronomic behavior of grape plant (cv Chasselas) in various “terroirs” of the Vaud county (Switzerland) was performed by the Swiss Federal Research Station for Plant Production of Changins in the frame of the study project “Wine terroirs of Vaud” and in collaboration with the office I. LETESSIER (SIGALES) in Grenoble and the Federal Polytechnic High School of Lausanne (EPFL). The soil composition representative of the units of vineyard – thick and not very compact moraines, sloping and compact moraines, moraines on conglomerate or sandstone (moraines representing more than 80% of vineyard surface), colluvial downhill soils and various stony soils (peyrosoil) – was important for plant response, in particular for the mechanism of water regulation system and for qualitative assessment (growth speed of berries, final weight of berries and bunches, grape maturation). A study of the water supply system to vines, carried out using Ψbase, has shown that water stress levels were low during the greater part of the season 2001 (wet year) over the whole of the vineyards. Nevertheless, moderate stress levels were recorded during the time of grape ripening in vines set on soils with lower useful reservoirs (RU) and shallow root systems (sloping and compact moraines, moraines on conglomerate or sandstone). Vines situated on stony soils with higher RU levels and deeper root systems were characterized by a complete lack of water stress throughout the whole season. The advance in “terroir” plant development and speed of growth were mainly influenced by the thermic mesoclimate (altitude, angle and orientation of slopes). The vegetative outgrowth of the vine (analyzed by average leaf size), clippings of the foliage biomass, the chlorophyll index, together with plant strength (weight of pruned wood) all largely contributed to the soil water reservoir and conditions of water supply to plants during the season of growth. Production characteristics (weight of grapes and bunch of grapes) and fruit ripening were also conditioned by the “terroir”. Sugar accumulation in berries was influenced by the leaf fruit ratio or, in other words, by the SFE/kg of grapes obtained in principle vineyards. The importance of this ratio appears to be determinant. The amounts of total acidity and malic acid in the must were higher in vines planted on colluvial soils, while other “terroirs” indicated lower values. The mesoclimate (essentially the altitude) conditioned acidity levels in the grapes at the start of ripening. The development of tartaric acid levels in grapes was equivalent in the various vineyards. A follow up of the Formol index, carried out during the time of ripening, showed that nitrogen supply to berries was good to high over the whole of the region. Healthy vines boasted higher rates of Botrytis cinerea at harvest.

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DOI:

Publication date: February 15, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2002

Type: Article

Authors

V. ZUFFEREY (1), F. MURISIER (1) , Véronique BONNET (3), C. VERDUN (4), D. LOIZEAU (5), J.-L. SPRING (1), C. BRIGUET (2)

(1) Station Fédérale de Recherches en production végétale de Changins, Centre viticole du Caudoz, CH-1009 Pully, Suisse
(2) Prométerre, Avenue des Jordils 1, CH-1000 Lausanne 6, Suisse
(3) ENSA Montpellier, 4) ENSA Rennes, 5) UFR Sciences Angers, France

Keywords

terroirs viticoles, fonctionnement hydrique, expression végétative, qualité des raisins
wine terroir, mechanism of water regulation system, vegetative outgrowth, grape quality

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2002

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