Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Variety specific thresholds for plant-based indicators of vine nitrogen status

Variety specific thresholds for plant-based indicators of vine nitrogen status

Abstract

Aim: Several plant-based indicators of vine N status are reported in the literature. Among these, yeast assimilable nitrogen in grape must (YAN) and total N concentration of petiole and leaf blades are considered to be reliable indicators and so is the chlorophyll index, measured with a device called N-tester. The N-tester index is used to measure the intensity of the green colour of the leaf blade, and therefore to estimate its chlorophyll content. The aim of this study is to measure the nitrogen content of various grapevine organs (petiole, leaf blade, grape must) and the intensity of the green colour of leaf blades, in order to establish variety specific thresholds for the interpretation of plant-based indicators of vine nitrogen status.

Methods and Results: To study the varietal effect on indicators of vine N status, the latter were measured during 4 years on 35 grapevine varieties grafted on the same rootstock and planted with replicates in an experimental vineyard in the Pessac-Léognan appellation in Bordeaux. The results of N-tester measurements carried out at mid-flowering and mid-véraison were compared with the nitrogen content of leaf blades and petioles at véraison and the concentration of yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in the must at maturity. 

Conclusions: 

Strong varietal and year effects were observed for all indicators. Leaf blade nitrogen showed the lowest variability and YAN the highest. The N-Tester values recorded at mid-flowering were more consistent than those at mid-véraison.

Significance and Impact of the Study: Among the nutrients required by the vine, nitrogen is one of the most important. It is an essential factor in vegetative and reproductive development. Vine nitrogen status influences grape composition and wine quality. In addition, a low concentration of assimilable nitrogen in the must causes fermentation problems because N is one of the essential substrates for yeast growth. Vine N status depends on environmental factors (soil and climate) but can be managed through fertilisation and vineyard floor maintenance. Hence, plant-based indicators for vine nitrogen status are of utmost importance to optimize management practices for obtaining high wine quality and sustainable yields. The data generated by this experiment can help to take into account varietal specific responses to nitrogen availability when establishing thresholds for plant-based indicators of vine N-status. An example is provided for N-tester values at mid-flowering.

DOI:

Publication date: March 17, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type: Video

Authors

Agnès Destrac-Irvine, Elisa Marguerit, Mark Gowdy, Bruno Suter, Julien Fort, Francesco Rinaudi and Cornelis van Leeuwen 

EGFV, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, INRAE, Univ. Bordeaux ISVV, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France

Contact the author

Keywords

Vine nitrogen status, petioles, leaf blades, must

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Impact of non-Saccharomyces in malolactic fermentation of white and red winemaking

Nowadays the use of non-Saccharomyces as starters of alcoholic fermentation (AF) has increased because of the modulation of the organoleptic profile of wines

How different SO2 doses impact amino acid and volatile profile of white wines

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a well-established preservative in the wine industry. Its ability to act in different stages of the process as an antioxidant and an antiseptic as main characteristics makes it versatile. However, the need for its reduction or even its replacement has been increasing by the regulatory authorities as well as by the final consumer. To understand the impact of SO2 during ageing on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and amino acids (AAs) profiles, two white wines (one varietal and one blend) were aged under the same conditions, in the presence of different doses of SO2. After fermentation (t=0), 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/L of SO2 were applied, wines were kept over lees for 3 months (t=3), then were bottled after 3 (t=6) and 9 (t=12) months.

Enhancing the color traits of ‘Nebbiolo’ and ‘Dolcetto’ grapes: the role of abscisic acid during ripening

The red Italian variety Nebbiolo (Vitis vinifera L.), used in the production of the prestigious Barolo and Barbaresco wines, is renowned for its aromatic and structural complexity but also for its low color intensity.

Prediction of sauvignon blanc quality gradings with static headspace−gas chromatography−ion mobility spectrometry (SHS−GC−IMS) and machine learning

The main goal of the current study is the development of a cost-effective and easy-to-use method suitable for use in the laboratory of commercial wineries to analyze wine aroma. Additionally, this study attempted to establish a prediction model for wine quality gradings based on their aroma, which could reveal the important aroma compounds that correlate well with different grades of perceived quality METHODS: Parameters of the SHS−GC−IMS instrument were first optimized to acquire the most desirable chromatographic resolution and signal intensities. Method stability was then exhibited by repeatability and reproducibility. Subsequently, compound identification was conducted. After method development, a total of 143 end-ferment wine samples of three different quality gradings from vintage 2020 were analyzed with the SHS−GC−IMS instrument. Six machine learning methods were employed to process the results and construct a quality prediction model. Techniques that aim to explain the model to extract useful insights were also applied.

Impact of red blotch disease on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape and wine composition and wine sensory attributes

Grapevine Red Blotch disease (RB) is a recently discovered disease that has become a major concern for the viticulture and winemaking industry in California, USA. The causal
agent, Grapevine Red Blotch Virus (GRBV) was identified in 2011 and its presence was confirmed in several states in the US, in Canada, and in Switzerland. It has been demonstrated that RB compromised the regulation of ripening by suppressing specific ripening events, altering the expression patterns of transcription factors and causing hormonal imbalances in Zinfandel.