Evaluating the STICS model for simulating grapevine development across contrasting soil types at a local scale in Saint-Émilion

Abstract

Viticulture is increasingly threatened by climate change, making crop models essential tools for assessing vineyard adaptation. This study evaluates the performance of the STICS model (v10.4.1) in simulating key grapevine variables such as predawn leaf water potential, yield, and phenological dates across three contrasting soil types and two cultivars at a local scale in the Saint-Émilion appellation, using a multi-year dataset (2004–2016). A development version of STICS, integrating new formalisms to better capture yield variability, was also tested and compared with the standard version. Results show that the model correctly simulates predawn leaf water potential and captures the effect of soil on vine water status. Phenological dates were reproduced with acceptable accuracy. Fresh fruit weight was systematically overestimated by the standard version, while the development version, incorporating variable sink strength, improved yield simulations by better capturing interannual variability. These results highlight the potential of STICS for local-scale vineyard modelling and provide guidance for its application in the context of the Vitilience project.

References

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Acknowledgments

The VILITIENCE project which is funding this study is supported by the French Ministry of Agriculture (program 776 “Applied Research and Innovation in agriculture”, action n° 776-01 « Applied Research and Innovation », sub-action n° 0776-01-02 « Project Call », of the specific envelop “Agricultural and rural Extension” – CASDAR).