Ch 5 The Growing Environment - Soil Flashcards
What does soil supply to the vine?
Water and nutrients
What does soil consist of?
It consists of particles of different sizes which is critical. Rocks and stones;(largest) Sand;(next largest) Clay;(smallest) Humus
What is the benefit of rocks and stones in the soil?
They can heat up a vineyard from retained heat;
They provide drainage
e.g. Gravel in soils of Bordeaux left bank provide additional heat to ripen Cab Sauv grapes
What does humus consist of?
Decomposing plant and animal material that are rich in plant nutrients and excellent water retaining properties.
How is grape quality affected by the amount of water available?
The vine needs a good supply of water early in the season to support strong shoot and leaf growth followed by some water stress after veraison to promote grape ripening.
What can happen if too much clay in the soil?
It can become waterlogged and can kill the vine roots in extreme cases.
What if there is too much sand nd stones in the soil?
Not enough water will be held and irrigation may be needed even in areas of high rainfall.
What is regarded as good soil?
A mixture of sand and clay called loam which has good drainage but also retains enough water for vine growth.
What are the most important nutrients provided by soil?
Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. (NPK). Enough to thrive but not too much to grow too much canopy.
What is Chlorosis?
Linked to a lack of nutrients, leaves turn yellow, photosynthesis is restricted, grapes struggle to ripen and quality and quantity is reduced.
