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…

ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION AND COLOR OF ROSÉ WINES: INVESTIGATIONS ON THE MECHANISMS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH DIVERSITY

Color is one of the key elements for the marketing of rosé wines due to their packaging in transparent bottles. Their broad color range is due to the presence of pigments belonging to phenolic compounds extracted from grapes or formed during the wine-making process. However, the mechanisms responsible for such diversity are poorly understood. The few investigations performed on rosé wines showed that their phenolic composition is highly variable, close to that of red wines for the darkest rosés but very different for light ones [1]. Moreover, large variations in the extent of color loss taking place during fermentation have been reported but the mechanisms involved and causes of such variability are unknown.

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.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT VITICULTURAL AND ENOLOGICAL PRACTICES ON THE PHENOLIC COMPOSITION OF RED WINES

Global climate change is exerting a notable influence on viticulture sector and grape composition. The increase in temperature and the changes in rainfall pattern are causing a gap between phenolic and technological grape maturities [1]. As a result, the composition of grapes at harvest time and, consequently, that of wines are being affected, especially with regards to phenolic composition. Hence, wine quality is decreasing due to changes in the organoleptic properties, such as color and astringency, making necessary to implement new adaptive technologies in wineries to modulate these properties in order to improve wine quality.

INFLUENCE OF WINEMAKING VARIABLES AND VINEYARD LOCATIONS ON CHEMICAL AND SENSORY PROFILES OF SOUTH TYROLEAN PINOT BLANC

Pinot Blanc, an important grape variety grown in some mountain areas of Northern Italy such as South Tyrol over the last decades, with its cultivation covering 10.3% of the total vineyards, has compatible climatic conditions (e.g. heat requirements) which are normally found in the geographical areas of the mountain viticulture [1,2,3,4]. Climatic changes are hastening the growth of this variety at higher elevations, particularly for the production of high quality wine.

DETERMINATION OF MINERAL COMPOSITION IN CV. TERAN (VITIS VINIFERA L.) RED WINE AFFECTED BY PRE-FERMENTATIVE MASH COOLING, HEATING, SAIGNÉE TECHNIQUE AND PROLONGED POST-FERMENTATIVE MACERATIONS

This study aimed to determine mineral composition in red wine obtained from cv. Teran (Vitis vinifera L.), autochtonous Croatian grape variety. Six different vinification treatments, including the control treatment (7-day standard maceration), were performed to study the effects of: 48-hour pre-fermentative mash cooling (8 °C) followed by prolonged post-fermentative maceration of 13 days (C15), 28 days (C30), and saignée technique (juice runoff) proceeded with prolonged post-fermentative maceration of 13 days (CS15); and effect of 48-hour heating (50 °C) followed by prolonged post-fermentative maceration of 13 days (H15) and 28 days (H30) on macro- and microelements in wine.