Integrated, organic and biodynamic viticulture (INBIODYN): A comparative study over a 7-years-period

Abstract

Demand and production of organic and biodynamic crops have been growing exponentially in the last decades around the world. The organically managed viticultural surface in Europe increased substantially from 43.000 ha in 1998 to 230.000 ha in 2011, corresponding to around 5.3 % of all vineyards within Europe. Some of the most prestigious domains have converted to organic or biodynamic viticulture, respectively. This might be one reason why especially in viticulture these management systems are generating more and more interest. However, little research has been conducted on the impact of these management systems on vine growth, yield and product quality.

A viticultural field trial (INBIODYN) comparing integrated (GAP), organic (EU VO 834/07 and Ecovin-Standard) and biodynamic (EU VO 834/07 and Demeter Standard) viticulture (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling) was established at Geisenheim University, Geisenheim, Rheingau, Germany, in 2006. Yield, pruning weight and sugar content of the must differed significantly between treatments over a 7-year-period (2006-2012). The integrated treatment showed significantly higher pruning weight, yield and significantly lower sugar content of the must compared to the organic and the biodynamic treatment. No differences between the organic and the biodynamic treatment occurred. Furthermore, the different management systems did differ neither in must acidity nor in pH. Reasons for the changes in growth, generative performance and must quality such as differences in nutrient availability (nutrients in leaf tissue), water availability (pre-dawn water potential), physiological performance (A, E, gs), vigor (LAI, chlorophyll content in leaves) and disease frequency (Plasmopara viticola, Botrytis cinerea) will be discussed.