On the way to control pruning, fertilization and grass cover with the embedded “Physiocap®” sensor

Abstract

Precision viticulture consists in using ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to implement more specific and better targeted technical vine practices. With proxy-detection, precision viticulture mobilizes on-board sensors, computers, and GNSS positioning. A pruning wood sensor (Physiocap®) designed and developed by CIVC was embedded on a tractor and used on different plots located in Champagne, France. Physiocap® was used during dormancy season to characterize vine architecture by measuring shoot vigour, shoot number and biomass. The sensor could map spatial vine variability inside a plot, among plots and among years. Phases of agronomical sensor’s validation have been carried out and cartographic representations of data have been improved. Analysis of data from the sensor showed several levels of heterogeneity of plots. Year after year, the physiological course of the different areas, especially through water availability, implements these physiological variations. After a first measurement campaign on different plots on the Champagne vineyard, agricultural practices have been observed and sometime adapted on some plots located at the Plumecoq experimental vineyard. Next work will focus on the development of downstream decision trees, taking the shot vigour as input factor. Physiocap® provides great opportunities to manage pruning, fertilization and grass cover, based on desired harvest objectives.