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…

METABOLIC INTERACTIONS OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE COCULTURES: A WAY TO EXTEND THE AROMA DIVERSITY OF CHARDONNAY WINE

Yeast co-inoculations in winemaking have been investigated in various applications, but most often in the context of modulating the aromatic profiles of wines. Our study aimed to characterize S. cerevisiae interactions and their impact on wine by taking an integrative approach. Three cocultures and corresponding pure cultures of S. cerevisiae were characterized according to their fermentative capacities, the chemical composition and aromatic profile of the associated Chardonnay wines. The various strains studied within the cocultures showed different behaviors regarding their development.

UNTARGETED METABOLOMICS ANALYSES TO IDENTIFY A NEW SWEET COMPOUND RELEASED DURING POST-FERMENTATION MACERATION OF WINE

The gustatory balance of dry wines is centered on three flavors, sourness, bitterness and sweetness. Even if certain compounds were already identified as contributing to sweetness, some taste modifications remain largely unexplained1,2. Some empirical observations combined with sensory analyzes have shown that an increase of wine sweetness occurs during post-fermentation maceration³. This step is a key stage of red winemaking during which the juice is left in contact with the marc, that contains the solid parts of the grape (seeds, skins and sometimes stems). This work aimed to identify a new taste-active compound that contributes to this gain of sweetness.

POTENTIAL OF PEPTIDASES FOR AVOIDING PROTEIN HAZES IN MUST AND WINE

Haze formation in wine during transportation and storage is an important issue for winemakers, since turbid wines are unacceptable for sale. Such haze often results from aggregation of unstable grape proteinaceous colloids. To date, foreseeably unstable wines need to be treated with bentonite to remove these, while excessive quantities, which are often required, affect the wine volume and quality (Cosme et al. 2020). One solution to avoid these drawbacks might be the use of peptidases. Marangon et al. (2012) reported that Aspergillopepsins I and II were able to hydrolyse the respective haze-relevant proteins in combination with a flash pasteurisation. In 2021, the OIV approved this enzymatic treatment for wine stabilisation (OIV-OENO 541A and 541B).

RED WINE AGING THROUGH 1H-NMR METABOLOMICS

Premium red wines are often aged in oak barrel. This widespread winemaking process is used, among others, to provide roundness and complexity to the wine. The study of wine evolution during barrel aging is crucial to better ensure control of wine quality.
¹H-NMR has already been proved to be an efficient tool to monitor winemaking process [1]. Indeed, it is a non-destructive technique, it requires a small amount of sample and a short time of analysis, yet it provides clues about several chemical families.

INFLUENCES OF SO2 ADDITION AND STORAGE CONDITIONS IN THE DETERMINATION OF MEAN DEGREE OF POLYMERIZATION OF PROANTHOCYANIDINS IN AGED RED WINES

The structural diversity is one of the most remarkable characteristics of proanthocyanidins (PA). Indeed, PA in wines may vary in the B-ring and C-ring substitutes, the C-ring stereochemistry, the degree of polymerization (DP) and the linkage between the monomers. Knowing in detail the structural characteristics of the PA of a wine can help us to understand and modulate several sensorial characteristics of the wine, such as color, antioxidant properties, flavor, and mouthfeel properties. In the last years was discovered and confirmed the presence of sulfonated monomeric and oligomeric flavan-3-ols in wine [1], as well as was pointed out their importance in wine quality [1,2].