Retallack Viticulture EcoVineyards video

To alter the vineyard microclimate and produce quality wine under a semi-arid climate, black geotextile inter-row mulch (M) was applied for two vintages (2016-2017). The grapes were sampled at three growing stages to conduct the untargeted metabolome and transcriptome analysis. The upregulated genes related to photosynthesis and heat shock proteins confirmed that M weakened the total light exposure and grapes suffered severe heat stress, resulting in lower sugar and higher acids at harvest. The integration of metabolome and transcriptome analysis identified the key genes responsible for the enhancements in phenylalanine, glutamine, ornithine, arginine, and C6 alcohol concentrations, and the downward trend in ε-viniferin, anthocyanins, flavonols, terpenes and norisoprenoids concentrations in M grapes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) for winegrowers refers to robotics, smart sensor technology, and machine learning applied to solve climate change problems. Our research group has developed novel technology based on AI in the vineyard to monitor vineyard growth using computer vision analysis (VitiCanopy App) and grape maturity based on berry cell death to predict flavor and aroma profiles of berries and final wines.

Hydrogels are soil-conditioning materials capable of absorbing substantial amounts of water relative to their weight.

Aerial architecture plays a key role in plant functioning as it affects light interception and microclimate. In grapevine, this architecture is primarily shaped by winter pruning and further adjusted through practices such as leaf thinning and topping during the growth cycle.

The observation of Earth by satellites has demonstrated the feasibility of establishing differences between plant species, from their spectral features. The reflectance spectrum of vine plants follows this trend, being possible to identify vineyards in satellite images, among other species.