7. Canopy Management Flashcards

1
Q

What are the differences of a Vegetative vs Balanced Cycle in terms of

SHADE

FRUIT WEIGHT

SHOOT GROWTH

BALANCE

CANOPY DENSITY

A
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2
Q

What is vertical shoot positioning (2)?

Best suited for:

A
  • most common type of trellising + very simple
  • Vine’s shoots are trained vertically + held in place by trellising wires.
  • best suited to vines with low-moderate vigour
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3
Q

In what ways does between-row spacing need to be considered in terms of canopy management (3)?

A
  • Vine rows need to be far enough apart to avoid shading each other. Therefore, vigorous vines that are high-trained = greater space between rows.
  • Width of machinery also needs to be considered.
  • More spacing needed to reduce competition between rows for water/resources.
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4
Q

What is meant by OVERCROPPING?

How can this negatively affect grape growth/development (2)?

A

OVERCROPPING: Yield is too high comapred to vine vigor.

  • Abundance of grapes will gain sugars from carbs stored in trunk/cordons/roots.
  • These carbs are needed for vine during dormancy = weakened vine for future years.
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5
Q

The pictures below are examples of:

A

1 = Replacement Cane-pruned vine.

Vertical Shoot Positioning

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6
Q

Briefly explain Shoot Positioning and its purpose (2):

A

Tucking shoots into trellis wires to better organize canopy + facilitate mechanization.

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7
Q

The picture below is an example of:

What are 4 other terms for this type of vine?

Give an example of a region where this is commonly found:

A

Head-trained, spur-pruned vine.

AKA Bush vine / “Gobelet” (France) / “Alberello” (Italy) / “En Vaso” (Spain)

Commonly found in La Mancha, Spain.

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8
Q

Some varietals are more vigorous than others.

Give an examples of a MORE and LESS vigorous grape variety:

A

MORE VIGOROUS: Cabernet Sauvignon

LESS VIGOROUS: Merlot

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9
Q

What is the link between the yield of a vine and the quality of its fruit?

What factors affect vine balance (5)?

Therefore:

A
  • if the vine is out of balance (under or over cropping), it is likely to produce fruit of lesser quality than that of a balanced vine.
  • the yield at which the vine is in balance will differ depending on natural resources, planting material, vine age, presence of disease, and wine style desired by the grape grower.
  • Therefore, some vines will be balanced at higher yields than others.
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10
Q

What is the definition of cordon training?

How are they usually pruned?

How does this method compare to head training?

A

Vine training done on vines with 1 or more horizontal arms or “cordons” (usually spur pruned)

This method takes longer to establish than head training because of the amount of permanent wood needed.

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11
Q

What is meant by Vine Balance?

Why is this important?

What is considered to be the “optimal” crop load?

A

Vine Balance: Balance btw/vine’s vigor + crop load.

Essential for successful ripening + sustained production in future growing seasons.

Optimal Crop Load: Max. yield of grapes that have the required composition for the desired wine style/quality.

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12
Q

What are the 2 types of Vine Training?

What are the 2 types of Vine Pruning?

A

Cordon Training / Head Training

Spur-Pruned / Replacement Cane-Pruned

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13
Q

6 ways in which increasing exposure of leaves and grapes to sunlight has a positive effect on grape quality:

A

1) Increased sugar levels
2) Increased tannin levels + polymerisation of tannins (less bitterness)
3) Enhanced anthocyanin development
4) Decreased malic acid (broken down during cellular respiration, Tartaric remains)
5) Increased aroma precursors + compounds (e.g. terpenes)
6) Decreased methoxypyrazines (herbal/green bell pepper notes in Cab. Sauv.)

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14
Q

What is spur pruning?

How does spur pruning compare to replacement cane pruning?

A
  • spurs are short sections of 1 year old wood that have been cut back to 2-3 buds

Spur pruning is easier to carry out/can be mechanized.

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15
Q

What is the definition of head training?

How are they usually pruned?

A

Vine training done on vines with little permanent wood (can be either spur pruned or replacement cane pruned)

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16
Q

Briefly explain Crop Thinning / Green Harvesting and its purpose (3):

When is it usually carried out?

A

Removal of excess / imperfectly ripe grape bunches to increase ripeness of grapes left on the vine via redirection of resources.

Improves uniformity of ripening, enhancing quality.

Usually carried out near véraison.

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17
Q

What is the definition of vine density?

What would be examples of low and high densities?

What determines optimum density (3)?

A
  • the number of vines that are planted per hectare in the vineyard

LOW: 2,000 - 2,500 vines / ha

HIGH: 10,000 vines / ha

The optimum density is determined by :

  • the availability of water and nutrients
  • the vigour of the vine
  • the type of trellising
  • what access is needed between rows
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18
Q

What is the definition of yield?

A

A measure of amount of fruit being produced (can be measured in kg/vine or kg/hectare / tons/acre)

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19
Q

Vineyards on slopes at an angle of greater than ___% might need to be planted how?

Why?

A
  • 10%
  • up and down the slope (vs across)
  • Machinery may slip (unless terraced)
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20
Q

Explain how a fully ripened Cabernet Sauvignon crop’s high quality potential compares to an underripe one (4 for each):

A

FULLY RIPENED: Good depth of color / Ripe fruit aromas / Balanced Acidity / Ripe Tannins

UNDERRIPE: Unpleasantly high acidity / Harsh tannins / unripe fruit character / less development of anthocyanins (color)

21
Q

What are PROS (3) and CONS (2) of using bush vines?

A

PROS: - The system is simple, easy and inexpensive to develop.

  • Shoots can droop down and shade fruit, which is appropriate, because this method of canopy management is more appropriate for hot, dry regions.
  • Hot, dry regions restrict vigor, creating smaller vines.

CONS: - Cannot be mechanically harvested = higher labor $$$

  • Not suitable for regions w/high rainfall and fertile soils: higher vigor would create too dense of a canopy which would shade fruit too much and could harbor mildew and disease.
22
Q

The picutre below is an example of:

A

Cordon trained, spur-pruned vine.

23
Q

Briefly explain Shoot Trimming and its purpose (3):

A
  • Cutting shoots to limit growth/reduce canopy thickness.
  • Enhances fruit ripening.
  • Lowers disease pressure via better air circulation/improved spray penetration.
24
Q

How does the vine ITSELF affect vine balance (4)?

A

1) Some varietes are more vigorous than others (e.g. Cab Sauv. more than Merlot)
2) Rootstock
3) Disease presence (e.g. viruses lower vigor.)
4) Vine age (Vines over 40+ will be less vigorous)

25
Q

Why might rows on the west side of a canopy need more shading than those on the east side?

A

Western side will be more exposed to the warmer afternoon sun = risk of sunburn.

26
Q

What is “Bud Fruitfulness?”

A

The number of inflorescences developing inside the dormant/latent buds.

27
Q

What is replacement cane pruning (3)?

How does replacement cane pruning compare to spur pruning?

A
  • canes are sections of 1 year old wood that have 8-20 buds
  • typically laid down horizontally and need tying to a trellis
  • number of buds will depend on vigour / pruning.

Replacement Cane Pruning is more complex than spur pruing and requires skilled labor.

28
Q

How does cost vary for widely-spaced vs tightly-spaced vineyards?

A

Widely-spaced = cheaper due to less planting material + easier mechanization.

29
Q

Briefly explain the purpose of Leaf Removal (2):

Why is this technique not suitable for every climate (1)?

A

Purpose is to reduce shading of fruit + enhance ripening + lower disease pressure via better air circulation/spraying penetration.

Not suitable for excessively warm/hot climates because grapes could be exposed to too much sun/heat and become sunburnt.

30
Q

What type of row orientation provides the most protection from prevailing winds?

A

Rows at a 90o angle to the direction of the wind.

31
Q

What is meant by UNDERCROPPING?

How can this negatively affect grape growth/development (4)?

A

UNDERCROPPING: Yield of fruit is too low for the vigor of the vine.

  • Shoot growth continues b/c less fruit to ripen.
  • Shoots compete for resources = impeded grape formation/ripening.
  • Leads to a dense, shady canopy = sunlight interception + disease pressure.
  • Leads to low yields next year as well due to reduced bud fruitfulness.
32
Q

Briefly explain Shoot Removal and its purpose (2):

A
  • Removal of infertile/poorly positioned shoots to maintain a well-organized, open canopy.
33
Q

What row orientation is generally considered to provide the most even sunlight exposure through the canopy?

Logistically, what is the most efficient way to orient rows?

A

North-South

  • Parallel to the longest side of the vineyard.
34
Q

What is Guyot training?

What are the 2 different types?

A

Guyot Training = Replacement Cane Pruned vines with VSP.

1 cane = Single Guyot

2 canes = Double Guyot

35
Q

What are the main aims of summer pruning?

Can summer pruning be mechanized (2)?

What technique is the exception?

A

Enhancing grape ripening, reducing chance of fungal disease and aiding vineyard management/mechanization.

Most techniquew can be mechanized as long as the vineyards are properly set up (trellised, straight, well-maintained rows).

Mechanized summer pruning is becoming popular in areas where it is harder to allocate skilled labor.

pinching is the exception

36
Q

The picture below is an example of:

A

Head trained, replacement cane pruned vine.

37
Q

Give a specific example of how the style of wine desired might affect canopy management (2):

A

e.g. grapes needed for Rosé production don’t need as much anthocyanin/color development = shorter macerations = larger yields are ok.

V.S. grapes needed for Red wine production need more tannin ripeness + color.

38
Q

What are some examples of summer pruning (6)?

A
  • shoot removal,
  • shoot positioning,
  • pinching,
  • shoot trimming,
  • leaf removal
  • crop thinning / green harvesting
39
Q

Why is it important to maximize leaf surface area that is exposed to sunlight (2)?

A
  • Increases vine’s photosynthetic capacity = abillity to ripen larger yields.
40
Q

What are the aims of canopy management? (6)

A

1) maximize effectiveness of light interception by canopy
2) reduce shade within canopy
3) ensure microclimate for grapes is as uniform as possible (even ripening)
4) promote balance between vegetative + reproductive functions of vine
5) arrange vine canopy to ease in mechanization + manual labour
6) promote air circulation to reduce disease

41
Q

What will determine the most appropriate training + trellising system (3)?

A

1) the vigour of the vine
2) the topography of the site (many systems can’t be used on steep slopes / windy areas)
3) the need for mechanization (some methods don’t allow mechanization e.g. Gobelet training)

42
Q

Describe the results of a balanced vine growth cycle (4):

A

A Balanced Vine Growth Cycle would be the result of a well-maintained canopy in which there is a balance between cropload and vegetative growth.

  • Until véraison, the vine’s sugars/nutrients are mainly allocated to shoot/root growth.

After véraison, the sugars+nutrients are allocated to fruit, and shoot growth is depressed, resulting in less densely shaded canopies and better light exposure for higher quality fruit.

Also results in enhanced bud fruitfulness in the next year.

43
Q

In what ways does WITHIN-ROW spacing need to be considered (4)?

A
  • Vines low in vigor w/VSP can be planted close together within row because vines are smaller.
  • Planting w/greater spacing within rows would not maximize vineyard land.
  • Vines high in vigor will need greater within-row spacing to grow and be in balance.
  • Planting too close together would lead to overlapping canopies, increased shading and reduced ripeness + quality.
44
Q

How do dense, shaded canopies affect a vine’s susceptibility to fungal disease pressure (4)?

A
  • Leads to poor air circulation = canopies dry more slowly after rainfall/morning dew = suitable conditions for fungal diseases.
  • Also decreases spraying penetration.
45
Q

Briefly explain Pinching and its purpose (2):

A

Removal of shoot tips at flowering to improve fruit set.

46
Q

3 main PROS of using having a trellised vineyard?

1 major drawback?

A

PROS: Better light interception, better airflow to limit disease pressure, ability for mechanization.

DRAWBACK: Compared to untrellised vines, much more expensive and labor-intensive to establish and maintain.

47
Q

Briefly explain what Disbudding is (4):

A

Aka “Debudding”. Growers will often leave many buds on the vine over the winter incase some are damaged.

  • Removal of buds to manage balance + yield.
  • Removal of poorly positioned buds.
  • Removal of non-fruit-bearing shoots (reduces competition.)
48
Q

Identify the Complex Training Systems illustrated below:

Why would a grape grower choose to use these trellising systems?

What is a major drawback of using these systems?

A
  1. Geneva Double Curtain
  2. Lyre
  3. Scott-Henry

Allows for maximization of vineyard space / resources to produce large yields / high quality fruit.

They are much more difficult to manage / mechanize.