GiESCO 2019 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 GiESCO 9 GiESCO 2019 9 Organic and biodynamic viticulture affect soil quality and soil microbial diversity

Organic and biodynamic viticulture affect soil quality and soil microbial diversity

Abstract

Context and purpose of the study ‐ The production of organically grown crops developed exponentially in the last few decades based on consumer demands for healthy food as well as environmentally friendly farming practices. Current agricultural and environmental policies are reacting to these demands with initiatives limiting the use of synthetic pesticides and thus promoting organic farming. In viticulture, 316,000 hectares of grapes are grown organically, which is a 4.5 % share of the global grape growing area. The effects of organic and biodynamic viticulture on soil quality and soil microbial diversity in comparison to conventional or integrated viticulture are very controversially discussed. The aim of this review is to summarize the outcomes of scientific trials performed on organic and biodynamic viticulture worldwide and hence to characterize the effects of the respective management systems on soil properties and soil microbial diversity.

Material and methods ‐ Literature searches of peer‐reviewed published literature were conducted to find studies investigating organic and/or biodynamic viticulture which deal with soil properties and biodiversity of the soil microbiota. Only field trials that used replicates of management treatments with representative plots or studies that used a representative number of samples were included in the review in order to avoid bias in individual studies.

Results – For describing the effect of organic and biodynamic viticulture on soil quality and microbial soil life, authors concentrated on reporting the effects of the respective management systems on biological activity of the soil, macronutrient supply, copper levels in the soil and soil microbial diversity. In several studies an increase of the biological activity of the soil under organic management is reported. Biodynamic and organic vineyards show a higher cumulative soil respiration, a higher content of microbial biomass C and a higher ratio of microbial biomass C to organic C, especially after conversion. The contents of organic C, total N, P and S as well as Cu do not differ among treatments in most of the trials. Fungal endophyte colonization of the roots of grapevines under organic management, species richness, diversity indices and arbuscular mycorrhizal spore abundance were higher compared to conventional management. No difference in fungal species richness was assessed in soils of biodynamically and conventionally managed vineyards in New Zealand. In contrast, management systems differed in the types of species present and in the abundance of the single species. These results are supported by a recent study from Germany, where a fungal community shift under organic viticulture was observed without affecting fungal species richness. Bacterial biodiversity was increased in topsoil under organic management compared to conventional viticulture. The links between soil microbial diversity, biological activity of the soil and macronutrient supply will be discussed. Their importance for organic and biodynamic viticulture will be discussed.

DOI:

Publication date: June 22, 2020

Issue: GiESCO 2019

Type: Article

Authors

Johanna DÖRING (1), Maximilian HENDGEN (1), Cassandra COLLINS (2), Georg MEIßNER (1), Matthias FRIEDEL (1), Manfred STOLL (1), Randolf KAUER (1)

(1) Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade-Str. 1, D-65366 Geisenheim, Germany
(2) University of Adelaïde, Australia

Contact the author

Keywords

Grapevine, biological activity of the soil, macronutrients, copper, soil microbiota

Tags

GiESCO 2019 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Physiological and growth reaction of Shiraz/101-14 Mgt to row orientation and soil water status

Advanced knowledge on grapevine row orientation is required to improve establishment, management and outcomes of vineyards on terroirs with different environmental conditions (climate, soil, topography) and in view of a future change to more extreme climatic conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the combined effect of row orientation, plant water status and ripeness level on the physiological and viticultural reaction of Shiraz/101-14 Mgt.

Effects of mechanical leafing and deficit irrigation on Cabernet Sauvignon grown in warm climate of California

San Joaquin Valley accounts for 40% of wine grape acreage and produces 70% of wine grape in California. Fruit quality is one of most important factors which impact the economical sustainability of farming wine grapes in this region. Due to the recent drought and expected labor cost increase, the wine industry is thrilled to understand how to improve fruit quality while maintaining the yield with less water and labor input. The present study aims to study the interactive effects of mechanical leafing and deficit irrigation on yield and berry compositions of Cabernet Sauvignon grown in warm climate of California.

The effects of cane girdling on berry texture properties and the concentration of some aroma compounds in three table grape cultivars

The marketability of the table grapes is highly influenced by the consumer demand; therefore the market value of the table grapes is mainly characterized by its berry size, colour, taste and texture. Girdling could cause accumulation of several components in plants above the ringing of the phloem including clusters and resulting improved maturity. The aim of the experiments was to examine the effect of girdling on berry texture characteristics and aroma concentration.

Application of a fluorescence-based method to evaluate the ripening process and quality of Pinot Blanc grape

The chemical composition of grape berries at harvest is one of the most important factors that should be considered to produce high quality wines. Among the different chemical classes which characterize the grape juice, the polyphenolic compound, such as flavonoids, contribute to the final taste and color of wines. Recently, an innovative non-destructive method, based on chlorophyll fluorescence, was developed to estimate the phenolic maturity of red grape varieties through the evaluation of anthocyanins accumulated in the berry skin. To date, only few data are available about the application of this method on white grape varieties.

Different yield regulation strategies in semi-minimal-pruned hedge (SMPH) and impact on bunch architecture

Yields in the novel viticulture training system Semi-Minimal-Pruned Hedge (SMPH) are generally higher compared to the traditional Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP). Excessive yields have a negative impact on the vine and wine quality, which can result in substantial losses in yield in subsequent vintages (alternate bearing) or penalties in fruit quality. Therefore yield regulation is essential. The bunch architecture in SMPH differs from VSP. Generally there is a higher amount but smaller bunches with lower single berry weights in SMPH compared to VSP.