challenges mix Flashcards
23- A viticulturist has observed a declien in yield in the past 5 years. Discuss the possible causes and how the issues might be adressed.
1.Climate Change Impact on Vineyards
OIV Report 2023: Vine yield 7% lower than previous year, worst since 1961 due to frost, heavy rainfall, and drought.
Water Legislation: Torres suggests possible legislative changes to address water shortages.
Rootstocks and Grafting: Considerations for adapting to climate challenges.
Steve Lohr, Paso Robles: Uses shade cloths to enhance yield by 5-10% and prevent fruit desiccation.
- Pests and Diseases
Common Issues: Esca (Francois Dal - couretage), Red Blotch, Pierce’s Disease, - vectors-
Nematodes, Lobesia Botrana -insecticides-
Management Strategy: Integrated Pest Management to control vineyard pests and diseases effectively. - Soil Management
Compaction: Affects soil health.
Nutrient Deficiency: Lack of nitrogen and organic matter; excessive pesticide use reduces soil diversity.
pH and Soil Type Adjustments:
Acidic Soils: Christiaan Loots at WaterKloof regularly adds lime (1–4 t/ha).
Sodic Soils: Use of gypsum to replace sodium with calcium and regular leaching to remove salts.
4.Vineyard Management Practices
Pruning Mistakes: Simmonit
Soil Coverage: Use of cover crops to compete with vines, careful deleafing and pruning.
Organic Transition: Initially reducing chemical and fertilizer inputs may lower yields by 20%.
Natural Vine Ageing
Christophe Chauvot: Decision to remove CH GC-12 part of managing vine ageing.
Labour supply for vineyard work is dicreasing in many parts of the world. If this trend continues,how willl this affect viticulture, and how can vineyard managers around the world best prepare for, and handle, shortage of workers?
