Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Nitrogen isotope ratio (δ15N) as a tool to trace the major nitrogen source in vineyards

Nitrogen isotope ratio (δ15N) as a tool to trace the major nitrogen source in vineyards

Abstract

Aim: to elucidate if it is possible to detect variations in the source of nitrogen (organic vs. inorganic) measuring nitrogen isotope ratio (δ15N) in berries and to examine the degree of variation occurring for this parameter naturally within a vineyard.

Methods and Results: two nitrogen fertilization strategies based on the use of organic and inorganic nitrogen sources were compared through four consecutive seasons in a vineyard, and berry δ15N was measured at harvest. The source of nitrogen affected remarkably nitrogen isotope ratio, as samples from organically fertilized vines always showed higher δ15N values. Additionally, variations in berry δ15N were measured during two seasons in a 60-node sampling grid in a 4.2 ha vineyard, showing that a wide range of variation existed for δ15N within the vineyard, and that its values followed a structured pattern that was in accordance with variations in altitude, being lower in the highest parts of the field.

Conclusions:

The source of nitrogen (organic vs. inorganic) affects berry δ15N. Nevertheless, the degree of variation observed naturally within a single field is very relevant, and associated to variations in altitude. 

Significance and Impact of the Study: this is the first study that, to our knowledge, demonstrates a direct relationship between nitrogen source and nitrogen isotope ratio in grapevines, and opens the door to its use in grapevine nutrition and terroir studies.

DOI:

Publication date: March 25, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type : Video

Authors

Luis G. Santesteban1*, Maite Loidi1, Inés Urretavizcaya2, Oihane Oneka1, Diana Marín1, Ana Villa1, Blanca Mayor1, Sara Crespo1, Jorge Urrestarazu1, Carlos Miranda1, F. Javier Abad1, 2, José B. Royo1

1Dept. of Agronomy, Biotechnology and Food Science, Univ. Pública de Navarra- UPNA, Campus Arrosadia, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
2Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB-CSIC), Avenida Pamplona 123, 31192, Mutilva Baja, Spain
3INTIA, Edificio de Peritos Avda. Serapio Huici nº 22, 31610, Villava, Spain

Contact the author

Keywords

Nitrogen, fertilization, organic, inorganic, Vitis vinifera L.

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Terroir aspects of harvest timing in a cool climate wine region: physiology, berry skin phenolic composition and wine quality

Preliminary experiment of harvest timing was carried out in Eger wine district, Hungary in 2009. In situ physiological responses, berry quality parameters and wine quality of the Kékfrankos grapevine were studied at two growing sites (Eger-K6lyuktet6 – non-stressed, flat vineyard, and Eger-Nagyeged hill – water stressed, steep slope vineyard).

Long-term drought resilience of traditional red grapevine varieties from a semi-arid region

In recent decades, the scarcity of water resources in agriculture in certain areas has been aggravated by climate change, which has caused an increase in temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, as well as an increase in the frequency of extreme phenomena such as droughts and heat waves. Although the vine is considered a drought-tolerant specie, it has to satisfy important water requirements to complete its cycle, which coincides with the hottest and driest months. Achieving sustainable viticulture in this scenario requires high levels of efficiency in the use of water, a scarce resource whose use is expected to be severely restricted in the near future. In this regard, the use of drought-tolerant varieties that are able to maintain grape yield and quality could be an effective strategy to face this change. During three consecutive seasons (2018-2020) the behavior in rainfed regime of 13 traditional red grapevine varieties of the Spain central region was studied. These varieties were cultivated in a collection at Centro de Investigación de la Vid y el Vino de Castilla-La Mancha (IVICAM-IRIAF) located in Tomelloso (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain). Yield components (yield, mean bunch and berry weight, pruning weight), physicochemical parameters of the musts (brix degree, total acidity, pH) and some physiological parameters related with water stress during ripening period (δ13C, δ18O) were analysed. The application of different statistical techniques to the results showed the existence of significant differences between varieties in their response to stressful conditions. A few varieties highlighted for their high ability to adapt to drought, being able to maintain high yields due to their efficiency in the use of water. In addition, it was possible quantify to what extent climate can be a determinant in the δ18O of musts under severe water stress conditions.

Les paysages viticoles des régions Vale Dos Vinhedos et Monte Belo (Brésil), un lien avec l’Etrurie

[lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text="IVES" use_before_icon="on" before_icon="||divi||400" module_id="publication-ariane" _builder_version="4.19.4" _module_preset="default" module_text_align="center" module_font_size="16px" text_orientation="center"...

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with Tof-MS, a powerful tool for analysis of the volatomes of grapes and wines

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) has emerged as a powerful analytical technique for unraveling the volatile composition of complex matrices. This work will present three applications of GCxGC Tof-MS to the oenological field, aimed to identify novel biomarkers to be used in the quality control process of the wine industry. Comprehensive mapping of volatile compounds was conducted in a large sample of 70 sparkling wines, produced by 48 different wineries across 6 vintages and representative of the two main production areas for premium Italian sparkling wines (Franciacorta (FC) and Trentodoc (TN)), using HS-SPME followed by GCxGC-Tof-MS and multivariate analysis. Selection and identification of 196 putative biomarkers allowed clear separation of sparkling wines from FC and TN.

Les justifications “terroirs” en terme de marketing: les conditions sont réunies pour une rencontre de qualité entre le consommateur moderne et le vin

[lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text="IVES" use_before_icon="on" before_icon="||divi||400" module_id="publication-ariane" _builder_version="4.19.4" _module_preset="default" module_text_align="center" text_orientation="center" custom_margin="65px||18px||false|false"...