ISHS Acta Horticulturae 640: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Viticulture - Living with Limitations
A SURVEY OF RECENT VINEYARD STRESSES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE |
| Authors: | L. Corino, L. Sansone, S. Dellepiane |
| Keywords: | vine stress, Esca disease, Flavescence dorée FD disease, trunk wounds, soil limitations, overcrop, vine grower proficiency |
| Abstract:
In Italian vineyards and elsewhere a common concern is early vine senescence. During the past several decades, viticultural techniques have changed greatly, especially those related to improved vigor and production. From 1985 present research was carried out to understand the impact of vine stress especially that which affects vineyard longevity. Trials were carried out mainly in Piedmont, Liguria and Lombardy as well as several surveys in other regions. The main observations were: climatic conditions, soil characteristics, grower proficiency, and vineyard history (yield, pruning technique, soil management). Two problems have been considered: Esca disease and Flavescence dorée, FD disease. It was proved that under stressful conditions, Esca disease is more virulent. Moreover, wounds on the trunk are deleterious and unsatisfactory soil structure is increasing the problem. FD seem to be closely related to plant stress caused mostly by over-cropping, poor soil management, deleterious wounds on the trunk and lack of vine growing proficiency. Climatic conditions that include lack of rainfall and high temperatures may increase the problem. Among grape varieties there are clear differences in FD symptoms but this mainly underlines the vine-site relationship within which older traditional cultivars proving to be more tolerant. As some modern cultural techniques are rather aggressive on plant and soil management, plants are increasing in vascular disorders that are greatly affecting plant longevity. In order to reduce the above-mentioned problems, improving the professionalism in vineyard management is suggested. The future of profitable viticulture should pay more attention to environmental concerns and to the production of regionally-typical wines. | |
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