Canopy Management Flashcards
Canopy Management
Key Aims
Maximize the effectiveness of light interception
Reduce shade
Ensure microclimates for grapes is uniform to ripen evening
Balance between vegetative and reproductive functions of the vine
Arrange the vine canopy for mechanization and/or manual labor
Prompt air circulation through the canopy
Vine Balance
Balance between vegetative and reproductive functions of the vine
Vegetative Cycle
Shade depresses berry growth
Fruit Weight per shoot is reduced
Shoot growth increases because less fruit
Canopy Density increases due to more leaf
Yield
Optimal yield is one that will allow grape to grow the maximum weight of grapes that have the required composition for the desired wine style and quality
Vine density
The number of vines that are planted per hectare per vineyard
From a few hundred to over 10,000 per hectare
Row orientation
Generally north-south provides most even sunlight exposure. West side of the canopy may require more shading from leaves to protect them from sunburn. If winds are strong, planting to 90 degrees orientation would provide most shelter.
Vine Training, pruning and trellising
Key areas to consider are
Vigour of the vine
Topography of the site (ie steep sites might be trained on individual sticks vs tressing system)
Need for mechanization - VSP trellised vines are generally suited to mechanization as all fruit tends to be in the same area for each vine.
Vine Training
Refers tot he shape of the permanent wood of the vine. Two types head trained, cordon trained.
Head Training
Little permanent wood, which usually is just the trunk. Can be spur pruned or replacement cane pruned.
Cordon Trained
Have a trunk and one or more permanent horizontal arms of permanent wood (cordons). Usually spur pruned. Takes longer to establish but better for mechanization.
Vine Pruning
Removing unwanted parts of the vine during winter and summer. Winter pruning determines the location of buds that will form shoots in the coming growing season.
Spur Pruning
Spurs are short sections of one year old wood that have been cut back to two or three buds. Can be on cordon or top of trunk. Better for mechanization.
Replacement Cane Pruning
Canes are longer sections of one year old wood and can have anything between 8 and 20 buds. Typically laid down horizontally and need tying to a trellis for support. Requires skilled labor.
Trellises
Permanent structure of posts and wires that help support and position the vine shoots. Vines trendrills naturally curl around the trellis wires to help keep canopy in place.
Bush Vines
Untrellised vine whose vines are head trained and spur pruned. Planted in hot and sunny regions so some can be beneficial for grapes to avoid sunburn.
