Terroir 1996 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Tools for assessing vine nitrogen status; role of nitrogen uptake in the “terroir” effect

Tools for assessing vine nitrogen status; role of nitrogen uptake in the “terroir” effect

Abstract

Among the numerous nutrients vines extract from the soil, nitrogen is the one that interferes most with vine vigor, yield, berry constitution and wine quality. Many studies relate on the influence of various levels of nitrogen fertilization on vine growth, yield and berry constitution (KLIEWER, 1971; BELL et al., 1979; DELAS et al., 1991; SPAYD et al., 1993; SPAYD et al., 1994). Other papers deal with the depressive effect of cover crop on vine nitrogen supply, which can partly explain the quality-improving effect of this technique (SOYER et al., 1996).
Vine nitrogen uptake is likely to vary to a considerable extend with soil parameters, even when no nitrogen fertilization or cover crop occurs. Figuring among those parameters are: soil organic matter content, C/N ratio of soil organic matter and soil organic matter turnover. The latter depends mainly on soil temperature, soil aeration, soil pH and soil moisture content. Despite considerable empirical evidence, almost no literature is available on vine nitrogen status as a function of soil characteristics and the impact of this status on vine development, berry constitution and wine quality. This might be explained by the lack of accuracy of currently available indicators of vine nitrogen status, such as petiole or leaf blade nitrogen content, or their lack of accessibility, as is true for cane arginine content. In this paper we discuss the use of several forms of nitrogen in grape juice (must) as indicators of vine nitrogen status. The accuracy of these indicators provides the means to differentiate nitrogen offer by the soil in “terroir” studies and assess its impact on berry quality potential.

DOI:

Publication date: February 24, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2000

Type: Article

Authors

Cornelis VAN LEEUWEN (1, 2), Philippe FRIANT (1), Enzo RONCO (3), Cyril JOURDAN (2), Jean-Pierre SOYER (4), Christian MOLOT (4) and Xavier CHONE (2)

(1) ENITA de Bordeaux, 1 Crs du Général de Gaulle, F 33175 Gradignan Cedex
(2) Faculté d’OEnologie, 351 Cours de la Libération, F 33405 Talence Cedex
(3) Faculta’ di Farmacia, Universita’ degli studi di Torino, Italia
(4) INRA Agronomie, Domaine de la Grande Ferrade, F 33140 Villenave d’Ornon

Contact the author

Tags

Terroir 2000

Citation

Related articles…

Revisión de estudios sobre suelos vitícolas de las tierras del Jerez

Dada la importancia de los suelos y de los substratos geológicos en la zonificación vitivinícola, los autores realizan una revisión de estudios sobre las formaciones más importantes en la D.O. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry y Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

SENSORY IMPROVEMENT OF DEALCOHOLISED WINES

Interest and willing-ness to buy alcohol-free wines by customers is increasing for several years [1]. Due to the rising relevance of dealcoholised wines it is the objective of this study to contribute to a better understanding of the flavor variation among dealcoholised wines and to explore enological measures, how to improve final quality.
First a range of commercial, alcoholfree white wines were analysed by the holistic sensory method projective mapping, including a question for hedonic acceptance. Based on the combination of a non-target-HS-SPME-GC/MS analysis with sensory analysis we obtained a clustering of the wines into three groups.

Swiss program for the creation of fungal disease resistant grape varieties in Switzerland

Grapevine breeding is part of the research program of Agroscope in Switzerland since 1965. From 1965 to 1995, the aim of the Vitis vinifera crosses was to obtain a high resistance to grey rot (Botrytis cinerea), one of the most virulent fungal pathogens in the Swiss vineyard. In 2021, the grape varieties released from this first breeding program covered 936 ha of the 15’000 ha of the Swiss vineyard.
In 1996, a second breeding program aimed at obtaining, by classical interspecific hybridization, grape varieties resistant to downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and powdery mildew (Erisyphe necator) and less sensitive to grey rot (Botrytis cinerea). In order to accelerate and make the selection process more reliable, an early biochemical test was developed based on the natural defense mechanisms of the vine against downy mildew (stilbene phytoalexins). The synthesis of stilbenes (i.e., resveratrol and its oxidized dimers - and -viniférine) and pterostilbenes (methylated derivative) is among the most efficient induced defense mechanisms of grapevine against fungal pathogens on both the leaves and the clusters.

Application of UV-B radiation in pre- and postharvest as an innovative and sustainable cultural practice to improve grape phenolic composition

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a minor part of the solar spectrum, but it represents an important ecological factor that influences many biological processes related to plant growth and development. In recent years, the application of UVR in agriculture and food production is emerging as a clean and environmentally friendly technology.
In grapevine, many studies have been conducted on the effects of ambient levels of UVR, but there are few considering the effects of UV-B application on grape phenolic composition under commercial growing or postharvest conditions.

Physiological response to drought and heat stress in the leaves of table grape varieties

Increasingly pronounced climate changes, including prolonged drought periods, pose a significant challenge to the cultivation of table grape varieties.