Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Macrowine 9 Macrowine 2021 9 Grapevine diversity and viticultural practices for sustainable grape growing 9 Influence of early leaf removal on the yield and composition of the grape of three white varieties in the D.O.Ca.Rioja (Spain)

Influence of early leaf removal on the yield and composition of the grape of three white varieties in the D.O.Ca.Rioja (Spain)

Abstract

AIM: Defoliation is one of the green operations more used in viticulture, whose results can be very different depending on the variety and the moment of realization. Early leaf removal consists of the elimination of basal leaves on the shoots around pre-bloom stage, which limits fruit set and initial growth of the berry, leading to less compact clusters and less weight [1]. This practice allows to control the yield, improve the sanitary state and consequently the quality of the grape [2]. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of early leaf removal on the yield and composition in the grape of three white varieties: Tempranillo Blanco, Maturana Blanca and Garnacha Blanca.

METHODS: This study was conducted during the 2019 season, in a vineyard located in the D.O.Ca. Rioja (Spain). At the moment of harvest, the influence of early leaf removal on different yield components (unit production, number of bunches per vine, bunch weight, weight of 100 berries and number of berries per bunch) was determined. Prior to the harvest, 500 berries were sampled for each repetition and the must was extracted. Musts were physicochemically characterized by determining probable alcohol, pH, total acidity, tartaric acid, malic acid, potassium and total polyphenols.

RESULTS: The results obtained showed notable varietal differences. The early leaf removal gave rise to a decrease in the yield components, which only were significant in Tempranillo Blanco for the unit production, bunch weight and number of berries per bunch. Also, the effects of leaf removal on the composition of the grape were higher in Tempranillo Blanco. The total polyphenol content increased significantly in the three varieties. Maturana Blanca presented a significant rise in total acidity. On the contrary, Tempranillo Blanco showed a significant decrease, significantly increasing the pH and potassium. The probable alcohol showed a significant increase in Tempranillo Blanco and Garnacha Blanca.

CONCLUSIONS

To conclude, the influence of early leaf removal on the yield and composition of the grape is variable depending on the variety.

DOI:

Publication date: September 2, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Laura, Alti-Palacios

Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (Gobierno de La Rioja, CSIC, Universidad de La Rioja),Sara, GARCÍA, Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (Gobierno de La Rioja, CSIC, Universidad de La Rioja) Juana, MARTÍNEZ, Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (Gobierno de La Rioja, CSIC, Universidad de La Rioja)

Contact the author

Keywords

early leaf removal, yield components, chemical composition, white grape

Citation

Related articles…

PIWIs’ variation in drought response under semi-controlled conditions 

Grapevine interspecific hybrids (PIWIs, from German “pilzwiderstandsfähige Rebsorten” meaning fungus tolerant grapevine cultivars), offer a promising alternative to traditional cultivars in many wine regions due to their tolerance to certain fungal diseases. This makes them a potential solution for sustainable wine production, particularly under organic systems. Despite extensive research on certain agronomic traits and susceptibility to biotic diseases, such as powdery and downy mildews, the response of these cultivars to abiotic stressors, such as drought, remains unclear. Our study aims to investigate the eco-physiological traits of two commercial PIWI cultivars, Muscaris and Souvignier gris, at the leaf level to evaluate their response to drought stress.

The impact of differences in soil texture within a vineyard on vine development and wine quality

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has rapidly gained an international reputation for style and quality. The extent to which this can be attributed to the climate, soils or vineyard management is at present unclear. However, the young alluvial soils of the Wairau Plains are considered to play an important role in determining this unique wine style. Marked changes in soil texture occur on the Wairau Plains over short distances.

Viticultural agroclimatic cartography and zoning at mesoscale level using terrain information, remotely sensed data and weather station measurements. Case study of Bordeaux winegrowing area

Climate is a key variable for grapevine development and berry ripening processes. At mesoscale level, climate spatial variations are often determined empirically, as weather station networks are generally not dense enough to account for local climate variations.

Terroir effects on wine aromatic metabolomics in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain, Ningxia, China

Aim: The eastern foot of Helan Mountain, Ningxia, China is one of the most important wine production regions in China and grape cultivation has spread in several sub-regions with different soils and cultivars. Large diversity in wine aromas have been observed at Ningxia region but which terroir factors drive those diversity in aromas remain to uncover. This study aims to investigate the impacts of grape varieties and soil chemical properties on wine aromas at Ningxia, in order to characterize the aromatic typicality of Ningxia wines and provide foundation for developing a ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ system. 

Efecto de distintos ambientes sobre las características físico – químicas y sensoriales del Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC

La región de Abruzzo está situada entre los Apeninos y el mar Adriático, limitando al norte con el río Tronto y al sur con el Trigno. Desde un punto de vista físico se divide en dos franjas