Geostatistical analysis of the vineyards in the canton of Geneva in relation to soil and climate

Context and purpose of the study. Berry sunburn in vineyards is a recurring disorder that can cause severe yield loss. As sunburn observations are often associated with heat waves, a link to climate change is likely.

A seven years survey (2003 to 2009) has been carried out over old traditional vineyards cv. Cencibel in La Mancha region (Spain). Seven plots with more than 35 years old were sampled from veraison to harvest, measuring soluble solids (ºBaumé) and acid concentration (g/l in tartaric acid).

This work is a first step to make a map of vineyard soils. The characterization of the soils of the Protected Designation of Origin (D.P.O.) Valdepeñas will allow to group the studied profiles according to their physico-chemical characteristics and the concentrations of most relevant chemical elements. 90 soil profiles were analysed throughout the territory and the soils were sampled and described according to FAO (2006) and classified according to and Soil Taxonomy (2014). All samples were air dried, sieved and some physico-chemical parameters were determined following standard protocols. Also, major and trace elements were analysed by X-ray fluorescence. The statistically study was made using the SPSS program. Trend maps were made using the ArcGIS program. The studied soils have the following average properties: pH, 8.3; electrical conductivity, 0,20 dS/m (low); clay, 18.8% (medium) and CaCO3, 17.1% (high). In the study for the major elements. The major elements of these soils are Si, followed by Ca and Al, with an average content of 203.7 g/kg, 105.5 g/kg and 74.0 g/kg respectively. On the other hand, 27 trace elements have been studied. Of all of them, it can be highlighted the average values of Ba (361.8 mg/kg), Sr (129.3 mg/kg), Rb (83.4 mg/kg), V (74.2 mg/kg) and Ce (70.6 mg/kg). Ba, V and Ce values are higher and the values of Sr and Rb are lower to those found in the literature. The discriminant analysis shows a percentage of grouping of 91%. The content of chemical elements together with the physico-chemical characteristics allows grouping the soils in 4 group according to their order in the classification to Soil Taxonomy; due to the importance of the Calcisols in Castilla-La Mancha, it has been decided to establish them as their own group even if they do not appear in Soil Taxonomy classification.

Sangiovese is one of Italy’s most cultivated grape varieties, and currently, over 130 different clones are registered in the national register of grape varieties. However, despite the sangiovese genome having been re-sequenced, limited molecular and genomic information is still available for this cultivar. The present study investigates the complexity of genotype-environment interactions of ten different Sangiovese clones, cultivated in the Chianti Rufina DOCG district over five consecutive vintages (2016-2020).

As an economically important fruit crop, continuous cropping of grapes can potentially impact soil health resulting in decreased yields.