Soil Flashcards
Are the affects of soil more or less difficult to be assessed than climate?
More difficult to assess
In general what are the 4 main things that soil influences
- Water availability for plants by affecting water holding capacity
- Availability of mineral elements
- microclimate through properties such as heat accumulation and sunlight reflection
- The root growth
What three conditions are considered best for soils in order to plant grapevines
- Hilly conditions
- Well Drained
- Low fertility
Discuss the ranking of viticultural factors for 4 different types of countries
- Long Tradition (Italy, France) Soil, Climate, Varieties
- Industrial Countries A (Germany) Varieties, Climate, Soil
- Industrial Countries B (USA) Varieties, Wine making/wine aging, Consumer preference
- Commerce exchange countries (China) Consumer preference, Packaging, Wine making
Soil depth, texture, and porosity affect__________ and consequently the ______ _______ _______
Drainage
Water holding capacity
In very good vineyards, some good wine can be produced during bad vintages true or false?
True
Why is water accumulation important in Mediterranean areas where rainfall is mainly concentrated in Autumn and Spring?
Because water accumulation in the soil allows for a regular water nutrition in summer
Moderate water availability at ripening can be crucial for…
Improving fruit quality
Excessive water in the soil can be…
Negative for both fruit composition and bunch health
How can soils act as a buffer for climatic fluctuations
If the soil is well drained and deep roots are able to grow in depth, they are supplied with regular mineral and water nutrition, despite climactic fluctuations
Low fertility in the soil can lead to…
vine balance
Gravely soils are able to__________________ during the day.
At night they can ____________
accumulate heat units
Radiate heat back to the plant supporting fruit ripening
Gravels are a natural protection against_____ ____
as the ____ _____ is ________
Soil Evaporation
underlying soil is moist
Stony soils are important as well because they can….
warm up faster than other soils and provide positive consequences for root system activity and bud break
5 Horizons in soil
- O (Organics)
- A (Surface)
- B (Subsoil)
- C (Substratum)
- R (Bedrock)
Fertility of soil is….
The soils ability to host the crop
Higher amounts of silt and clay mean
more micropores and more water retention
Macroporosity and Microporosity
Macroporosity is important as it allows for water drainage
Microporosity is important as it allows for water holding capacity
Soil texture is made up of
Different percentages of Sand, Silt, and Clay
Acidic soils and different pH for soils
Extremely Acidic: less than 4.5
Neutral: 6.6 - 7.3
Very strong Alkaline: 9.1 and higher
Three most important minerals in soils
- Nitrogen
- Potassium
- Calcium/magnesium
Important trace elements
Mn, B, Cu, Zn: these are important because they are part of several co-enzymes. Their availability is related to pH and active lime in soils
Too much or too little Nitrogen
Too much can encourage growth and decrease the overall fruit and wine quality
Too little and there is a reduction in the YAN in the juice and there is a reduction in wine quality, particularly in sparkling wines
Too much or too little Potassium
Plus a quick note
If there is too much there is a fast increase in must and wine pH (especially in warm climates)
If there is too little it limits sugar and color accumulation. Productivity and tolerance to different stresses is reduced.
It has never been demonstrated that excessive Potassium results in higher quality wines
Note about calcium and Magnesium
They are both antagonistic to potassium by limiting the uptake
What can happen with higher percentages of clay in the soil
There is a higher potential for water capacity but may decrease water availability
What is the primary indicator of fruit quality
Brix or TSS
What type of relationship can be seen between Yield per vine (Y) and % of Clay (X)
Negative relationship
What type of relationship can be seen between Brix (Y) and active lime (X)
Positive linear
Nitrogen in soil can…
lower pH
Potassium concentration in soil can affect
pH
Relationship between soil properties and mineral nutrition for Clay soils, calcareous, and Sandy soils
Clay soils allow for regular mineral nutrition
Calcareous soils allow for adequate mineral nutrition
Sandy Soils are generally acidic and mineral nutrition is poor
