Advancements in the Sustainable Viticulture of Grapes

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Viticulture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2024) | Viewed by 6595

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany
Interests: stress physiology; polyphenols; wine quality; grape quality; canopy management; plant protection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is no doubt that viticulture is a high-input culture, and not just in the vineyard. The high use of pesticides worldwide, fertilization, and frequent driving of tractors leave their mark. In addition, climate change poses new problems for wine-growing regions, not only in the cultivation but also the vinification of wines. Critical consumers are increasingly questioning the sustainability of the entire production chain and making this a key factor in their purchasing decisions.

The aspects of environmental pollution must be taken into account during production.

The purpose of this Special Issue on “Advancements in the Sustainable Viticulture of Grapes" is to present the whole production chain; wine production as well as table grape and raisin production should be considered. Innovative articles on soil management, plant protection, grape quality, and winemaking are welcome in this Special Edition.

Dr. Nikolaus Merkt
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • grapevine
  • wine
  • sustainability
  • plant protection
  • global warming
  • soil management

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2443 KiB  
Article
Bacterial and Fungal Endophytes of Grapevine Cultivars Growing in Primorsky Krai of Russia
by Olga A. Aleynova, Nikolay N. Nityagovsky, Alexey A. Ananev, Andrey R. Suprun, Zlata V. Ogneva, Alina A. Dneprovskaya, Alina A. Beresh, Alexandra S. Dubrovina, Pavel A. Chebukin and Konstantin V. Kiselev
Horticulturae 2023, 9(12), 1257; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9121257 - 22 Nov 2023
Viewed by 857
Abstract
In this study, the biodiversity of endophytic bacteria of cultivated grape varieties from the vineyards of Primorsky Krai, Russia, was analyzed for the first time. Far Eastern grape varieties with a high level of stress resistance are a unique object of research as [...] Read more.
In this study, the biodiversity of endophytic bacteria of cultivated grape varieties from the vineyards of Primorsky Krai, Russia, was analyzed for the first time. Far Eastern grape varieties with a high level of stress resistance are a unique object of research as they are cultivated in cold and humid climates with a short summer season. Grapevine endophytic microorganisms are known as promising agents for the biological control of grapevine diseases and agricultural pests. Using genomic approaches, we analyzed the biodiversity of the endophytic bacteria and fungi in the most common grape varieties of Primorsky Krai, Russia: Vitis vinifera × Vitis amurensis cv. Adele (hybrid No. 82-41 F3), Vitis riparia × V. vinifera cv. Mukuzani (pedigree unknown), two cultivars Vitis labrusca × V. riparia cv. Alfa, and Vitis Elmer Swenson 2-7-13 cv. Prairie Star for the first time. The main representatives of the endophytic microorganisms included 16 classes of bacteria and 21 classes of fungi. The endophytic bacterial community was dominated by Gammaproteobacteria (31–59%), followed by Alphaproteobacteria (9–34%) and, to a lesser extent, by the classes Bacteroidia (9–22%) and Actinobacteria (6–19%). The dominant fungal class was Dothideomycetes (43–77%) in all samples analyzed, with the exception of the grapevine cv. Mukuzani from Makarevich, where Malasseziomycetes was the dominant fungal class. In the samples cv. Alfa and cv. Praire Star, the dominant classes were Tremellomycetes and Microbotriomycetes. A comparative analysis of the endophytic communities of the cultivated grape varieties and the wild grape V. amurensis Rupr. was also carried out. We found that 18–20% of the variance between the endophytic communities accounted for the differences between the cultivated and wild grapevines, while the factors “plant location” and “individual plants” accounted for 50–56% and 3–10% of the variance, respectively. The results of this study can be used to develop new means of biocontrol in vineyards to protect plants from abiotic stresses and pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in the Sustainable Viticulture of Grapes)
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13 pages, 2700 KiB  
Article
Inter-Row Management and Clay Content Influence Acari and Collembola Abundances in Vineyards
by Stefan Möth, Sarhan Khalil, Rudi Rizzoli, Magdalena Steiner, Astrid Forneck, Sven Bacher, Michaela Griesser, Pascal Querner and Silvia Winter
Horticulturae 2023, 9(12), 1249; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9121249 - 21 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 985
Abstract
Viticulture is a perennial cropping system that provides large inter-row space as a non-crop habitat for a range of different taxa. Extensive vegetation management has been shown to increase biodiversity and ecosystem service provision in vineyards. Important soil ecosystem services are decomposition, nutrient [...] Read more.
Viticulture is a perennial cropping system that provides large inter-row space as a non-crop habitat for a range of different taxa. Extensive vegetation management has been shown to increase biodiversity and ecosystem service provision in vineyards. Important soil ecosystem services are decomposition, nutrient cycling, and pest regulation provided by the mesofauna (e.g., Acari and Collembola). However, studies investigating the effects of inter-row management on soil mesofauna are scarce. We studied the effect of inter-row management intensity (complete vegetation cover, alternating vegetation cover, and bare ground) and local pedoclimatic conditions on Acari and Collembola in nine Austrian vineyards. Our results showed that the clay content of the soil was the most important factor and increased the abundances of both analyzed taxa. Complete and alternating vegetation cover increased their abundance in comparison to bare ground management. Higher soil respiration slightly contributed to higher abundances of those two taxa in both years. In conclusion, besides the positive effects of the clay content in the soil, complete and alternating vegetation cover are feasible management practices for increasing soil mesofauna in vineyards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in the Sustainable Viticulture of Grapes)
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14 pages, 794 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Viticulture of Italian Grapevines: Environmental Evaluation and Societal Cost Estimation Using EU Farm Accountancy Data Network Data
by Michel Frem, Alessandro Petrontino, Vincenzo Fucilli, Carlo Sansiviero and Francesco Bozzo
Horticulturae 2023, 9(11), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9111239 - 17 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1157
Abstract
Since the agriculture sector, such as Italian grapevine production, exert a pressure on the environment to some extent, this research aims to evaluate the environmental impacts and estimate the societal costs of four current grapevine production systems (i.e., vine grapes cultivated to produce [...] Read more.
Since the agriculture sector, such as Italian grapevine production, exert a pressure on the environment to some extent, this research aims to evaluate the environmental impacts and estimate the societal costs of four current grapevine production systems (i.e., vine grapes cultivated to produce common or quality wine using organic and non-organic agricultural practices), based on the Italian Farm Accountancy Network Data. For these purposes, the Life Cycle Analysis and Shadow Price techniques have been used. The results revealed that the levels of environmental impacts differed considerably between every cultivation system. Hence, the agricultural land occupation indicator induced the highest external costs, followed by climate change, terrestrial acidification, and freshwater eutrophication among the four grapevine cultivation systems. Accordingly, the assessment offers valuable insights into organic and non-organic viticulture practices to produce consistent and high-quality wine, as well as helping farmers make informed decisions that may improve environmental and societal impacts, leading to cost-effective management of their vineyards. We conclude that organic vineyard farming represents a promising sustainable viticulture production but is also important in exploring consumer perceptions and behavior towards this kind of grapevine production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in the Sustainable Viticulture of Grapes)
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15 pages, 2141 KiB  
Article
Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea on Grape Berries in Chile: Use of Registered Biofungicides and a New Chitosan-Based Fungicide
by Mario Herrera-Défaz, Denis Fuentealba, Luciano Dibona-Villanueva, Daniel Schwantes, Belén Jiménez, Brenda Ipinza, Bernardo Latorre, Héctor Valdés-Gómez and Marc Fermaud
Horticulturae 2023, 9(7), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9070746 - 26 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1540
Abstract
In organic phytosanitary management of vineyards, it is crucial to understand the available pathogen control alternatives in order to progress towards a more sustainable form of viticulture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of seven biofungicides registered in Chile [...] Read more.
In organic phytosanitary management of vineyards, it is crucial to understand the available pathogen control alternatives in order to progress towards a more sustainable form of viticulture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of seven biofungicides registered in Chile for the prevention and treatment of Botrytis Bunch Rot (BBR), and to test a novel fungicide composed of chitosan and riboflavin (CH-RF). Biofungicides including Trichoderma spp., Aureobasidium pullulans, and Melaleuca alternifolia were evaluated using biotests with grapevine berries. Registered products (specifically biological control agents) significantly reduced the in vitro growth of B. cinerea. However, the degree of pathogen control varied significantly among products in grapevine berries of the Chardonnay cultivar, and disease incidence and severity changed depending on the inoculation time. High control effectiveness was achieved with two biofungicides, A. pullulans (average efficacy 34%) and M. alternifolia oil (average efficacy 29%). In vitro tests showed CH-RF significantly reduced mycelial growth of B. cinerea. Noticeable differences between the new CH-RF fungicide (incidence under 50% and infection score under 1) and A. pullulans- and M. alternifolia-based products were detected in grapevine berries. Therefore, the new experimental formulation CH-RF constitutes a promising alternative for the control of B. cinerea and provides a basis for further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in the Sustainable Viticulture of Grapes)
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12 pages, 3158 KiB  
Article
Nutrient Changes in Berries of “Anab-e-Shahi” and “Perllete” Varieties of Grapes with Advancing Phenology in the Growing Season
by Abdul R. Malik, Rafiya Mushtaq, Shoaib N. Kirmani, Khalid M. Bhat, Mumtaz A. Ganie, Sajad M. Wani, Rifat Bhat, Amarjeet S. Soundri, Saba Banday and Hamed El-Serehy
Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020178 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1192
Abstract
Understanding how nutrients accumulate and change throughout the developmental stages according to the BBCH scale can be a very effective technique for developing fertilization programmes for high-quality, marketable grape production. Accordingly, the macro- and micronutrient concentrations at different growth stages were analyzed for [...] Read more.
Understanding how nutrients accumulate and change throughout the developmental stages according to the BBCH scale can be a very effective technique for developing fertilization programmes for high-quality, marketable grape production. Accordingly, the macro- and micronutrient concentrations at different growth stages were analyzed for two commercial grape cultivars, viz., “Anab-e-Shahi” and “Perlette”, by using an extended BBCH scale. The results show nitrogen content was reduced during the sampling period (D1 to D6) from 1.76 percent to 1.09 percent. Potassium concentration in developing berries kept on increasing from 0.15%, at principal growth stage 7 with BBCH code 73 (D1), to 0.26% at principal growth stage 8 code 89 (D6). The lowest phosphorus content of 253.88 ppm and the highest of 338.43 ppm were found in growth stages D1 and D6, respectively. The berry Ca however showed an increase first and thereafter decreased to 225.18 ppm at harvest. Mg content also recorded a similar trend from stages D1 to D6 of the BBCH scale and decreased to 116.08 ppm at D6. B and Cu concentrations increased from D1 to D6, and Mn and Zn increased first and decreased thereafter until harvest. No specific trend was recorded in Fe concentration. The concentration of nutrients in berries at different developmental stages can be used as the standard reference for growing berries using proper fertilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in the Sustainable Viticulture of Grapes)
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