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IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 OIV 9 OIV 2024 9 Orals - Viticulture, table grapes, dried grapes and unfermented grape products 9 Enhancing vineyard resilience: evaluating sustainable practices in the Douro demarcated region

Enhancing vineyard resilience: evaluating sustainable practices in the Douro demarcated region

Abstract

In Mediterranean agriculture, sustainability and productivity are seriously threatened by climate change and water scarcity. This situation is exacerbated by poor management practices such as excessive use of agrochemicals, overgrazing, and monoculture. The Douro Demarcated Region (DDR) is an emblematic region, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. Viticulture is the main agricultural activity in DDR, widely known to produce Port wine. So far, new approaches have been developed to redesign Mediterranean agroecosystems with greater resilience and productivity, focusing on the development of sustainable agricultural production systems through the combined use of biotechnological tools and environmentally respectful agronomic practices, enhancing soil functions and health by employing bioinoculants, remediation techniques, cultivation systems, and climate-adapted crops in each studied region. The present study aims at assessing the impact of bioinoculants’ application and cover cropping on grapevine growth and water stress management in DDR vineyards. A trial was conducted in a commercial vineyard, where treatments with bioinoculants (plant growth promoting bacteria and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) and cover cropping (sown with hydrogel), were applied. Exposed leaf area and predawn leaf water potential were measured to assess treatment impacts on grapevines. The results indicate that bioinoculants’ application in cover cropping seeded with hydrogel promote grapevine leaf expansion, increasing vegetative biomass, and enhancing nutrient uptake. Additionally, cover cropping contributed to greater soil water availability, reducing plant water stress during dry periods. These findings underscore the potential of these sustainable practices to improve vine health and increase resilience to adverse climatic conditions in the Douro region.

Améliorer la résilience des vignobles : évaluation des pratiques durables dans la région délimitée du Douro

Dans l’agriculture méditerranéenne, la durabilité et la productivité sont sérieusement menacées par le changement climatique et la pénurie d’eau. Cette situation est exacerbée par de mauvaises pratiques de gestion telles que l’utilisation excessive de produits agrochimiques, le surpâturage et la monoculture. La région délimitée du Douro (DDR) est une région emblématique, classée au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO en 2001. La viticulture est la principale activité agricole de la ddr, largement connue pour produire le vin de porto. Jusqu’à présent, de nouvelles approches ont été développées pour redessiner les agroécosystèmes méditerranéens avec plus de résilience et de productivité, en se concentrant sur le développement de systèmes de production agricole durables grâce à l’utilisation combinée d’outils biotechnologiques et de pratiques agronomiques respectueuses de l’environnement, améliorant les fonctions et la santé du sol en utilisant des bioinoculants, des techniques de remédiation, des systèmes de culture et des cultures adaptées au climat dans chaque région étudiée. La présente étude vise à évaluer l’impact de l’application de bioinoculants et de cultures de couverture sur la croissance de la vigne et la gestion du stress hydrique dans les vignobles de la rda. Un essai a été mené dans un vignoble commercial, où des traitements avec des bioinoculants (bactéries favorisant la croissance des plantes et/ou champignons mycorhiziens à arbuscules) et des cultures de couverture (ensemencement avec de l’hydrogel) ont été appliqués. La surface foliaire exposée et le potentiel hydrique des feuilles avant l’aube ont été mesurés afin d’évaluer l’impact des traitements sur la vigne. Les résultats indiquent que l’application de bioinoculants dans des cultures de couverture ensemencées avec de l’hydrogel favorise l’expansion des feuilles de vigne, l’augmentation de la biomasse végétative et l’amélioration de l’absorption des nutriments. En outre, les cultures de couverture ont contribué à une plus grande disponibilité de l’eau dans le sol, réduisant ainsi le stress hydrique des plantes pendant les périodes sèches. Ces résultats soulignent le potentiel de ces pratiques durables pour améliorer la santé des vignes et accroître la résistance aux conditions climatiques défavorables dans la région du douro. 

Mejora de la resiliencia de los viñedos: evaluación de las prácticas sostenibles en la región demarcada del Duero

En la agricultura mediterránea, la sostenibilidad y la productividad se ven seriamente amenazadas por el cambio climático y la escasez de agua. Esta situación se ve agravada por malas prácticas de gestión, como el uso excesivo de productos agroquímicos, el pastoreo excesivo y el monocultivo. La región demarcada del Duero (DDR) es una región emblemática, clasificada patrimonio de la humanidad por la UNESCO en 2001. La viticultura es la principal actividad agrícola de la ddr, ampliamente conocida por producir vino de oporto. Hasta ahora, se han desarrollado nuevos enfoques para rediseñar los agroecosistemas mediterráneos con mayor resiliencia y productividad, centrándose en el desarrollo de sistemas de producción agrícola sostenibles mediante el uso combinado de herramientas biotecnológicas y prácticas agronómicas respetuosas con el medio ambiente, mejorando las funciones y la salud del suelo mediante el empleo de bioinoculantes, técnicas de remediación, sistemas de cultivo y cultivos adaptados al clima de cada región estudiada. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar el impacto de la aplicación de bioinoculantes y cultivos de cobertura en el crecimiento de la vid y la gestión del estrés hídrico en viñedos de la ddr. Se realizó un ensayo en un viñedo comercial, en el que se aplicaron tratamientos con bioinoculantes (bacterias promotoras del crecimiento vegetal y/o hongos micorrícicos arbusculares) y cultivos de cobertura (sembrados con hidrogel). Se midió el área foliar expuesta y el potencial hídrico foliar antes del amanecer para evaluar el impacto de los tratamientos en la vid. Los resultados indican que la aplicación de bioinoculantes en cultivos de cobertura sembrados con hidrogel promueve la expansión foliar de la vid, aumentando la biomasa vegetativa y mejorando la absorción de nutrientes. Además, el cultivo de cobertura contribuyó a una mayor disponibilidad de agua en el suelo, reduciendo el estrés hídrico de las plantas durante los periodos secos. Estos resultados subrayan el potencial de estas prácticas sostenibles para mejorar la salud de la vid y aumentar la resistencia a las condiciones climáticas adversas en la región del duero. 

DOI:

Publication date: November 18, 2024

Issue: OIV 2024

Type: Article

Authors

Manuel João Oliveira¹, Igor Gonçalves¹, Rui Soares², Sofia Pereira³, Helena Moreira³, Ana Sofia Sousa³, Paula Castro³, Catarina Barbosa¹

¹ ADVID – Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Viticultura Duriense, Edifício Centro de Excelência da Vinha e do Vinho, Régia Douro Park, Vila Real, Portugal
² Real Companhia Velha, Rua de Azevedo Magalhães, 314, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
³ CBQF – Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, Porto, Portugal

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Full papers OIV 2024 | IVES Conference Series | OIV | OIV 2024

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