Macrowine 2021

Smartphone application use as a tool for water supply management

Abstract

Uruguay had an average annual rainfall of 1200 mm characterized by a high monthly variability, which generates periods of water deficit and excess. The rational water management, in the moments of deficit becomes more and more necessary in a viticulture that for this region is not used to irrigation. Therefore, permanent and real-time monitoring of the water status of the vineyard is important to avoid negative consequences on the yield and composition of the grapes. The availability of numerous smartphone applications allows the winegrower to use his own Smartphone as a tool for monitoring the vineyard. The objective of this work was to provide a reasonable water supply to the vineyard using digital tools that facilitate the management of the vineyard at a productive level. The experiment was carried out in a commercial vineyard of the red variety Tannat during the 2020 season. An irrigation treatment (70% ETP) was compared with a control without irrigation. Leaf water potential, leaf area, yield, grape composition (acidity, sugars, anthocyanins) were determined. The used smartphone applications were Viticanopy and ApexVigne. The data provided by the apps were correlated with the variables obtained in the field. It was possible to estimate the evolution of Kc in a quick and simple way, which allowed to made adjustments of the irrigation dose almost in real-time. During the season, 140 mm of water were applied leading to an enhancement in the response of the plant. The yield was increased by 35% while sugar and phenolic compounds concentrations were improved in the grape in comparison with the control sample. The use of smartphone applications proven to be a useful tool for the winegrower to manage the use of water resources.

DOI:

Publication date: September 2, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Gustavo Pereyra, Bruno Tisseyre, Milka FERRER

Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. E. Garzón 780, CP 12900 Montevideo, Uruguay,

ITAP, Univ. of Montpellier, Institut Agro Montpellier, INRAE, Montpellier, France

Plant Production Department Universidad de la República, Av. E. Garzón 780, CP 12900 Montevideo, Uruguay

Contact the author

Keywords

water management; canopy vigor; lai; smartphone; precision viticulture; Vitis vinifera

Citation

Related articles…

Laying footprints on a new path: proper accounting of biogenic fluxes makes viticulture carbon neutral

To limit the acceleration of global warming we need to reduce greenhouse gases emissions (GHG), making our production processes more carbon-efficient and optimizing absorptions.

Impact of deficit irrigation strategies on terpene concentration in Gewürztraminer grapes

Deficit irrigation is a viticultural practice often applied to improve the phenolic composition of red grapes and wines. However, the impact of this practice on grape terpenes – key aromatics for several grapes and wines – remains largely unknown. This study investigated the impact of deficit irrigation strategies on free and glycosylated terpenes in Gewürztraminer grapes. In a field study conducted in Oliver, BC, in 2016, 2017, and 2018, deficit irrigation regimes were applied to Gewürztraminer vines at different developmental stages (pre-veraison = Early Deficit, ED; post-veraison = Late Deficit, LD; throughout the season = Prolonged Deficit, PD). A well-irrigated control (CN) treatment was also established.

Redwine project: how to valorize CO2 and effluents from wineries in vineyards and winemaking with microalgae biomass

Global warming due to greenhouse gases (GHG) has become a serious worldwide concern. The new EU green deal aims to achieve GHG emissions reduction by at least 55% by 2030 and a climate neutral eu economy by 2050. The deal strongly encourages GHG reducing measures at local, national and european levels. The redwine project will demonstrate the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of reducing by, at least, 31% of the CO2 eq.

Towards adaptation to climate change in Rioja: Quality evaluation of wines obtained from Grenache x Tempranillo selections

The wine sector is of great relevance and tradition in Mediterranean countries, however, it may be most susceptible to climate change. In recent years, wine production is facing changes worldwide, both at environmental as well as commercial levels, due to global warming and the shift in consumers’ preferences. Wine growers and wine makers are in search of solutions that allow to face these new challenges. One of the most promising initiatives in the long term is the introduction of new plant materials, specifically intraspecific hybridizations between premium varieties that may improve traditional germplasm in its adaptation to climate change. These inter-varietal crosses have the potential to generate quality wines, whilst maintaining the regional typicity, and constitute an attractive alternative for the consumer due to their sensory attributes. In this study, we have evaluated wines from 29 intraspecific Garnacha x Tempranillo hybrids in two different locations, with the aim to assess their oenological potential and sensory attributes. Thirteen of the selections were white and 16 were red. Microvinifications were conducted with two or three replications depending on grape availability. Conventional oenological parameters were determined for all wines. The sensory evaluation and hedonic scores were given by five experts. Red selections obtained higher quality scores than white ones. Among the white selections with higher quality scores, GT-41 Varea and GT-159 Varea outstand, due to their high total acidity and high malic acid content. Regarding red selections, GT-57 Varea and GT-57 UR were perceived as higher in quality, highlighted for their moderate alcoholic and high anthocyanin content. Our results indicate that intraspecific hybridization may be a powerful tool for adapting traditional cultivars to climate change in Rioja.

Screening of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosine related metabolites in commercial wines by an UHPLC/MS validated method.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a bioactive phenolic compound with antioxidant activity. Yeast synthetise tyrosol from tyrosine by the Ehrlich pathway which is subsequently hydroxylated to HT. The aim of the present work is to develop and validate an UHPLC–HRMS method to assess the metabolites involved in this pathway as well as to screen Spanish commercial wines for HT bioactive compound.