NH - Unit 2 - Vineyard establishment - Vineyard design

Question 1

How is the planting density calculated

Answer 1

on a field of 1 hectare ( 100m x 100m ). Planting density = number of rows x number of vines in each row.

Question 2

explain the correlation between high density planting and quality

Answer 2

• little correlation
• high densities often increase total effictive leaf surface in vineyard

Question 3

the balance between the vine’s root system and its canopy is determined by?

Answer 3

• he vigour of the vine,
• the planting density,
• the fertility of the soil
• and the training system.

Question 4

Correlation between fertility of the soil and the root density.

Answer 4

• As vine vigour is low in poor soils, it is best to plant high densities.
• On a high potential site with fertile soils, low density planting is preferable.

Question 5

What is the advantage of narrow alleys between rows?

Answer 5

• increase total canopy area
• enable a maximum amount of sunlight energy to be captured
• can improve canopy microclimate by windbreak action.

Question 6

What if alleys are too narrow?

Answer 6

• adjacent rows can cast shade in each otter’s fruiting zone

Question 7

What is the minimum distance between the alleys?

Answer 7

Alleys should never be narrower than the heights of the row canopy

Question 8

What is the disadvantage of narrow rows.

Answer 8

• Incur more expense, with more operational costs (spraying, weed control)
• may require use of special tractors

Question 9

The correct distance between plants along the row is?

Answer 9

is that which will give a shoot density of about 15 shoots per metre.

Question 10

What is the general correlation between the width of the alleys and the distance between the plants?

Answer 10

the wider the alleys, the greater the distance between plants, as the plants have more vigour they have more soil available and so need more trellis pace.

Question 11

Row orientation can be influenced by :

Answer 11

shape of the field

• direction of the slope
• prevailing wind

Question 12

In what direction are vineyard rows often planted in the northern hemisphere?

Answer 12

in a north-south direction, as this maximise sunlight interception in the autumn on both sides of the trellis.

Question 13

Why is Sauvignon sometimes planted in east-west rows?

Answer 13

So that they can harvest fully ripe fruit (the row facing equator), giving fruity flavours and under-ripe fruit (on the poleward side, giving pyrazine aromas)