terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Influence of agrophotovoltaic on vine and must in a cool climate

Influence of agrophotovoltaic on vine and must in a cool climate

Abstract

The current energy crisis means that interest in agrophotovoltaics has increased significantly. The reason behind this is that the system aims to combine agricultural production with energy production. During the three-year period from 2020 to 2022, the effects of photovoltaic panels on the vine, the yield and the quality of the must were studied in Walenstadt in northern Switzerland, an area with a cool, humid climate. 65 Pinot noir vines were planted in the 160m2 study area. Because of the large edge effects, only 3 repetitions with 4 vines each could be created. A significantly lower leaf infestation by Plasmopara viticola was observed among the panels in each of the three years. However, in 2021 a significantly lower grape infestation was observed with an extremely high infestation pressure. In contrast, significantly higher powdery mildew leaf infestations were observed in 2020 and 2022, with infestations well below the economic threshold. During the three-year study period, the sugar content among the panels was significantly lower at around 0.9 to 1.8 Brix, and the total acidity was significantly higher between 1 and 1.3 g/l. These results indicate an approximate 1-week delay in ripening. Growth was optically stronger underneath the panels throughout the dry years 2020 and 2022, but only in the latter was it possible to measure a significantly higher pruning weight. The significantly lower value of the relative carbon isotope composition (Δ13C) in must sugars under the panels indicates greater water stress compared to the control, which can be attributed to reduced transpiration under the panels.
Conclusion: In the three years observed no significant negative impact of the photovoltaic panels could be determined, either on the yield or on the components of the must. The delay in ripening is usually a positive aspect, as is the reduced pressure from downy mildew. However, there is still a need for optimisation in construction so that unhindered mechanical cultivation is possible.

DOI:

Publication date: December 20, 2023

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Article

Authors

Peter Schumacher1

1 ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Contact the author*

Keywords

Agrophotovoltaic, Plasmospara viticola, berry composition, water stress

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

Rootstock mediated responses of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) metabolism and physiology to combined water deficit and salinity stress in Syrah grafts

Water deficit and salinity are increasingly affecting the viticulture and wine industry. These two stresses are intimately related; understanding the physiological and metabolic responses of grapevines to water deficit, salinity and combined stress is critical for developing strategies to mitigate the nega- tive impacts of these stresses on wine grape production. These strategies can include selecting more tolerant grapevine cultivars and graft combinations, improving irrigation management, and using soil amendments to reduce the effects of salinity. For this purpose, understanding the response of grape- vine metabolism to altered water balance and salinity is of pivotal importance.

Beyond liking scores: the importance of the drinking experience to understand our consumers

The presentation will approach the understanding of wine consumers´ perception based on the experiential model suggested by Warell (2008). In this framework, wine consumption gives rise to a
variety of experiences related to the perception, understanding, and judgment of the product. These
multidimensional facets of the drinking experience can be explored by measuring affective, cognitive,
and sensory responses of consumers, which are shown to be stable regardless of the social context.

OENOLOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR THE REMOVAL OF PINKING IN WHITE WINE

The pinking of in white wine is the turning of color from yellow to salmon hue. White wines obtained from certain grape varieties (e.g. Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Riesling, Trebbiano di Lugana) showed to be susceptible to pinking [1] that has been evaluated by an assay providing the addition of hydrogen peroxide. Even if its appearance does not seem to affect the sensory properties [2], strategies are necessary for its removal. Nowadays, the treatment with polyvinylpolipirroline (PVPP) was reported to significantly decrease the pink color [3].

NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE EFFECT OF TORULASPORA DELBRUECKII/SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE INOCULATION STRATEGY ON MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION PERFORMANCE

Winemaking is influenced by micro-organisms, which are largely responsible for the quality of the product. In this context, Non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces species are of great importance not only because it influences the development of alcoholic fermentation (AF) but also on the achievement of malolactic fermentation (MLF). Among these yeasts, Torulaspora delbrueckii allows in sequential inoculation with strains of S. cerevisiae shorter MLF realizations [5] . Little information is available on the temporal effect of the presence of T. delbrueckii on (i) the evolution of AF and (ii) the MLF performance.

MOUSY OFF-FLAVOURS IN WINES: UNVEILING THE MICROORGANISMS BEHIND IT

Taints and off-flavours are one of the major concerns in the wine industry and even if the issues provoked by them are harmless, they can still have a negative impact on the quality or on the visual perception of the consumer. Nowadays, the frequency of occurrence of mousy off-flavours in wines has increased.
The reasons behind this could be the significant decrease in sulphur dioxide addition during processing, the increase in pH or even the trend for spontaneous fermentation in wine. This off-flavour is associated with Brettanomyces bruxellensis or some lactic acid bacteria metabolisms.