GiESCO 2019 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 GiESCO 9 GiESCO 2019 9 Effect of kaolin foliar application on grape cultivar Assyrtiko (Vitis vinifera L.) under vineyard conditions

Effect of kaolin foliar application on grape cultivar Assyrtiko (Vitis vinifera L.) under vineyard conditions

Abstract

Context and purpose of the study – In the context of climate change and for the sustainable exploitation of Mediterranean vineyards, it is necessary to use new strategies to adapt to the new climatic conditions. High temperatures and radiation along with the increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere affect the maturity process, the technological maturity, as well as the physiology of the grapevine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of kaolin foliar application on water relations, photosynthesis and berry composition of grape cultivar Assyrtiko, under drought conditions in Santorini and with two different training systems. 

Material and methods – The experiment took place in the cultivation season 2017-2018 in Santorini. There were two vineyards, one with the traditional training system of Santorini ‘kouloures’, and one with a unilateral Guyot training system, on vines of grape cultivar Assyrtiko. In both vineyards, there were vines that underwent kaolin application and control vines.  

Results – The use of kaolin reduced the leaf temperature in both training systems by 6.2 % for the unilateral Guyot system and by 6.9% for the traditional system. Chlorophyll concentration was higher after kaolin application for both training systems. Regarding the water potential, the kaolin application reduced water stress in both training systems, with significant difference observed in the unilateral Guyot system. Vine transpiration did not present statistically significant difference after the kaolin application. The photosynthesis of the vines after kaolin application was lower in comparison with the control vines, while in the case of stomatal conductance, there were no statistically significant differences observed. Kaolin delayed the maturation of the grapes in the case of the traditional training system. Water use efficiency was lower in the treatments with kaolin application compared to control vines. Regarding the other mechanical properties of the grapes and analyses of the must, there were no significant differences observed between the treatments. Therefore, the application of kaolin can be an effective and economical solution for the water saving of the vines in dry conditions, while at the same time it can improve the physiology of the plant and preserve the qualitative and quantitative characters of the grapes

DOI:

Publication date: June 18, 2020

Issue: GiESCO 2019

Type: Poster

Authors

Eustratios Guillaume XYRAFIS1, Maritina STAVRAKAKI1, Ioannis DASKALAKIS1, Konstantinos TELLIS2, Despoina BOUZA1, Katerina BINIARI1*

(1) Laboratory of Viticulture, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855, Athens, Greece
(2) Domaine Sigalas, Baxes, Oia Santorini 84702, Santorini, Greece

Contact the author

Keywords

Kaolin, Santorini, Vitis vinifera L., water stress, water use efficiency

Tags

GiESCO | GiESCO 2019 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Using remotely sensed (UAV) and in situ field measurements to describe grapevine canopy characteristics

Row orientation and canopy management are essential for high quality grapevine production. Microclimatic conditions of the leaves and fruits can be influenced by the canopy geometry. Remote sensing is a very promising tool to describe vegetative growth and physiological behavior of vineyards. However, the correlation between remotely sensed data and in situ field measurements has been described scarcely in the scientific literature so far. The aim of the study was to correlate remotely sensed data obtained with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with in situ field measurements to describe canopy structure.

Survey reveals training needs for airblast sprayer operators

In California, little training in sprayer calibration or pesticide drift management is required to apply pesticides. Yet, there is a need to maximize pesticide efficacy and minimize drift. Therefore, our team is developing a training course on airblast application best practices. We distributed a survey to identify current practices and used importance-performance analysis to interpret responses to the importance of spray related topics and satisfaction with previous training.

A new path for sustainable development. First results in a Venetian “bio-métaéthique company“ (Italy)

This paper will show the results of changes in income in a Veneto winery located in the municipality of Motta di Livenza (Treviso) in the North East of Italy, determined by the application of the “Holistic Universal Sustainability Charter” Metaethic 4.1CC “or” Sustainability Charter BIO-MétaÉthique 4.1CC “of GiESCO (Carbonneau, Cargnello, 2017).

Piloting grape ripening in a global warming scenario: feasible techniques are available

Under the pressure of global warming, several wine grape growing regions around the world are increasingly suffering from advanced and compressed phenology; endangering wine character while also creating serious logistic problems. From a physiological standpoint, the issue of delaying ripening is not simple as, in several instances, only a few processes must be delayed (i.e. sugar accumulation into the berries) while other events such as pigmentation and accumulation of other important phenolic compounds should proceed at a normal rate. Thus, the issue of decoupling technological maturity from phenolic maturity is another important consideration. Over the last decades, several research groups have endeavored to establish alternate cultural practices aimed at addressing this decoupling. In some cases, special applications of quite robust and well known practices regarding physiological principles have been utilized, however some completely new techniques are also being studied. In figure 1 of the review, we offer a panorama of the available tools and in the text we elaborate on those having provided most reliable and consistent results under an array of genotypes and environmental conditions. Among these, primary focus is given to post‐veraison—apical to the cluster—leaf removal (that can also be suitably replaced by applications of anti‐transpirants); the use of kaolin against multiple summers’ stresses; and a drastic version of late winter pruning having the potential to postpone ripening into a cooler period with improved grape composition and a limited negative impact on yield and storage reserves replenishment. 

Effect of topography on vine evapotranspiration and water status in hillside vineyards

Many winegrape regions have hillside vineyards, where vine water use is affected by vine age, density and health, canopy size, row orientation, irrigation practices