Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Vineyard management'

To combat excessive vine vigor, many vintners have employed intensive cover cropping techniques. While cover crops provide a multitude of benefits to the farming system, they can compete for nutrients and water. The seemingly ubiquitous adoption of cover crops in the Eastern United States has led to vines and grape musts which are deficient in nitrogen (N). A must that is deficient in yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) can lead to the production of off aromas and stuck or sluggish fermentations. It has also been suggested that musts with limited amino nitrogen sources can result in wines with less fruity aromas than those with a higher starting amino acid content. Varying rates of calcium nitrate were applied to the soil at bloom and foliar urea was sprayed at a Sauvignon blanc and Petit Manseng (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard. Perennial White and Crimson clover as well as foliar urea applications at véraison were utilized at a Vidal blanc (Vitis spp.) site. Foliar urea was effective at significantly increasing YANs in all experiments with some year to year variation in efficacy. Foliar urea applications slightly favored the production of ammonia over primary amino nitrogen. While most of the measured amino acids in fruit increased in concentration with the application of either soil or foliar N, foliar applications were more effective at increasing fruit amino acids. Of the amino acids measured, arginine and glutamine were the most increased by foliar urea applications, whereas proline was relatively unaffected. The use of clover as a perennial under-vine cover crop did not increase berry YAN. The application of foliar urea sprays may present an effective means by which vintners can easily increase must YANs and amino acid contents.
Master of Science in Life Sciences

Under-trellis cover crops have become more prevalent in East Coast grape growing regions through either intentional planting or adoption of native vegetation, to minimize the potential for erosion and to help regulate grapevine size and vigor. These companion crops, however, have sometimes resulted in increased competition for soil nitrogen, leading to decreased vine nitrogen status and berry yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different nitrogen fertilization methods applied at varying doses and different times, on vine and berry nitrogen parameters of cover cropped grapevines. The research described herein involved Sauvignon blanc, Merlot, and Petit Manseng grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) subjected to different sets of nitrogen treatments, and was primarily conducted over two years. There were very few differences in pruning weights, canopy architecture, components of yield, and primary fruit chemistry amongst nitrogen treatments. Sauvignon blanc petiole nitrogen concentration, season-long chlorophyll content index (CCI) values, and berry YAN were most affected by the highest rate of soil nitrogen treatment (60 kg N/ha total split between two calcium nitrate applications at bloom and six weeks post bloom) and foliar fertilization (40 kg N/ha split over seven to nine urea applications); however, the foliar fertilization was most effective at increasing the concentration of certain individual amino acids. Petit Manseng berry YAN at harvest was increased in response to post-véraison foliar applications (10 kg N/ha split between two urea applications), corresponding to an increased concentration of nine amino acids. Merlot berry YAN, petiole nitrogen concentration, and season-long CCI values were most affected by a high rate of soil nitrogen treatment (60 kg N/ha total split between two calcium nitrate applications at bloom and six weeks post bloom) and establishing clover as the under-trellis cover crop. This study identified nitrogen treatments that improved berry nitrogen concentration and content in cover cropped sites.
Master of Science

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Food demands for the ever-increasing human population is increasing the pressure on the agricultural sector to produce more food. In order to satisfy these demands, farmers are turning to chemical biocides for the control of pest species to produce greater crop yields. All pesticides must be toxic or poisonous to the target species they intend to control. Unfortunately, most pesticides are toxic or poisonous to non-target organisms as well, with detrimental effects on their health. Organic farming was developed to enhance the overall health of the farm's natural soilmicrobe- plant-animal biodiversity. No synthetic fertilisers and/or pesticides are used when farming organically. Life in the soil consists of intricate food webs and interactions between the soil dwelling invertebrates. The soil-organisms are divided into three main groups, viz., Micro-organisms (e.g. protozoa, bacteria and fungi) mesofauna (nematodes, Collembola and Acari) and macro-fauna (e.g. millipedes, isopods, insects, molluscs and earthworms). The invertebrates are very susceptible to chemical contamination by chemical biocides in natural and agro-ecosystems. The soil invertebrate communities are responsible for the decomposition of organic material in soil, thereby remineralising the soil. The decomposition processes start with comminution of the large pieces of organic material by meso- and macro-fauna and ends with the micro-fauna and microbial organisms that complete these processes by returning the nutrients in an inorganic form to the soil. The aim of this study was to investigate whether, and to what extent the soil organisms are influenced by different management practices viz., organic management practices versus conventional management practices. A vineyard on the farm Plaisir de Merle, in Simondium, Western Cape was used for the present study. One half of a one hectare vineyard was managed organically and the other half conventionally. Within each vineyard block six different treatments were performed. Three of the treatments were strictly organic and the other three were strictly conventional. Four replicates of each management treatment were performed. The bait-lamina technique was used to assess the feeding activity of the soil organisms exposed to the different management treatments. In addition to the bait-lamina trials in the vineyard itself, bait-lamina tests were performed in microcosm studies with soil from the organically and conventionally managed vineyard blocks under controlled conditions. In order to assess the impact of the various pesticides that are used in the vineyards in the conventional way, on the soil fauna, standard acute toxicity tests and behavioural tests were performed on Eisenia fetida, the compost worm. The bait-lamina tests in the vineyard revealed that the moisture content of the soil plays an important role in the biological activity of soil fauna. The different management treatments did affect the biological activity of the soil fauna, but seasonal changes also proved to be one of the important factors governing biological processes in the soil. The acute toxicity tests showed that the active ingredients (mancozeb, penconazole and trifloxystrobin) of three of the pesticides that were tested in this study, had negatively affected E. fetida at their recommended application concentrations. The remaining two pesticides' active ingredients (glyphosate and N-acetyl salicylic acid) did not affect the earthworms negatively at the recommended application concentrations. The preference behavioural trials showed that E. fetida could detect and avoid contaminated substrates at the LCso-concentrations of the different pesticides. All the earthworms were influenced positively in the preference behaviour experiments. Because of certain limitations of the bait-lamina technique, it was difficult to formulate conclusions on what happens in the soil. A possible explanation for the differences in feeding activity of soil fauna could be attributed to the migration of the soil fauna to more habitable soil horizons during the dry summer conditions, when most of the pesticides are applied. The ecological relevance of the acute toxicity tests conducted need to be investigated further. It is clear that the acute toxicity tests provided important information that should be considered, but care should be taken and the necessary safety factors be determined and considered when doing risk assessment studies. The results of the preference behaviour studies showed that for certain pesticides E. fetida can be a sensitive bioindicator of acute and/or sub-acute lethal toxicity testing but this might not necessarily be the case for other pesticides. The goal of doing laboratory studies is to gain as much information to make reliable extrapolations to field situations from laboratory data. Laboratory-to-field extrapolations are very complicated because of the physico-chemical composition of soil, the unpredictable way pesticides behave within soil and the reaction of soil organisms to the soil and to the chemical biocides that are used. Further studies need to be done in order to fully understand to what extent the soil fauna were affected by the different management practices applied to the vineyard at Plaisir de Merle.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Voedsel aanvraag vir die toenemende menslike bevolking plaas groot druk op die landbou sektor om meer kos te produseer. Om aan die voedsel eise te voldoen, gebruik boere al meer chemiese biosiede om pesspesies te bestry. Alle pestisiede moet toksies of giftig wees vir die teiken organisme waarvoor dit bestem is. Ongelukkig is die meeste pestisiede ook toksies of giftig vir nie-teiken organismes, wat tot nadelige effekte op hul gesonheid kan lei. Organiese boerdery is ontwikkel om die algehele gesondheid van die plaas se natuurlike grond-mikrobe-plant-dier biodiversiteit te bevorder. Geen sintetiese bemestingstowwe en/of pestisiede mag gebruik word wanneer daar organies geboer word nie. Die lewe in die grond bestaan uit ingewikkelde voedselwebbe en interaksies tussen die grondlewende invertebrate. Die grond invertebrate word verdeel in drie hoof groepe, nl. mikro-organismes (bv. Protozoa, bakterieë en fungi) meso fauna (Nematoda, Collembole en Acari) en makrofauna (bv. Millipoda, Isopoda, Insecta, Mollusca en erdwurms). Die Invertebrata is die mees vatbaarste vir chemiese kontaminasie deur chemiese biosiedes in natuurlike en landbou ekosisteme. Die grond invertebraat gemeenskappe is verantwoordelik vir die afbreek van alle organiese materiaal in die grond en dus vir remineralisering van die grond. Die afbreekproses begin by die komminusie van groter stukke organiese materiaal deur die meso- en makrofauna en eindig met die mikrofauna en mikrobes wat die prosesse voltooi deur die nutriente terug te plaas in die vorm van anorganiese produkte in die grond. Die doel van hierdie studie was om te ondersoek of, en tot watter mate, grond organismes geraak word deur verskillende grondbestuurspraktyke, nl. Organiese grondbestuurspraktyke teenoor die konvensionele grondbestuurspraktyke. 'n Wingerd op die plaas Plaisir de Merle, in Simondium, Wes-Kaap, was gebruik vir die huidige studie. Een helfte van 'n een hektaar wingerd is organies bestuur en die ander helfte is op die konvensionele manier bestuur. Op elk van die twee wingerd blokke is ses verskillende behandelings toegepas. Drie van die behandelings was streng organies en die ander drie was streng konvensioneel van aard. Vier replikate van elke behandeling is toegepas op elk van die twee wingerdblokke. Die bait-lamina metode is gebruik om die voedingsaktiwiteit van die grond organismes te asses seer. As toevoeging tot die bait-lamina proewe in die wingerd self, is bait-lamina toetse ook in mikro-kosmosse in die laboratorium gedoen met grond afkomstig vanaf die twee wingerdblokke. Om die impak van die verskillende pestisiede op die grondorganismes te ondersoek, is standaard akute toksisteitstoestse en gedragstoetse uitgevoer met die komposerdwurm, Eisenia fetida. Die bait-lamina resultate in die wingerd het getoon dat die voginhoud van die grond die belangrikste rol speel wat die biologiese aktiwiteit van die grondorganismes beïnvloed. Die verskillende behandelings het die biologiese aktiwiteit van die grond fauna geaffekteer, maar seisoenale veranderings is ook uitgesonder as een van die bepalende faktore wat die biologiese prosesse in die grond stuur. Die akute toksisiteitstoetse het getoon dat die aktiewe bestandeie van drie van die pestisiede (mancozeb, penconazole en trifloxystrobin), E. fetida negatief beïnvloed het teen die aanbeveelde konsentrasies wat toegedien is. Die aktiewe bestandeie van die ander twee pestiede (glyphosate en N-asetiel sallisiel suur) het nie die erdwurms nadelig beïnvloed teen die aanbeveelde konsentrasies wat toegedien is nie. Die gedragsproewe het getoon dat E. fetida die LCso-konsentrasies van al die verskillende pestisiede kan waarneem en vermy. Al die erdwurms is positief beïnvloed in die gedragseksperimente met die verskillende pestisiede. Omdat die bait-laminametode sekere beperkings het, was dit moeilik om tot gevolgtrekkings te kom oor wat presies in die grond gebeur. 'n Moontlike verklaring vir die verskillende voedingsaktiwiteite van die grond fauna kan toegereken word aan die migrasie van die grondorganismes na meer leefbare grondhorisonne gedurende die droë somer toestande, wat toevallig met die spuit van die meeste pestisiede ooreenstem. Die ekologiese relevansie van die akute toksisiteitstoetse wat uitgevoer is, moet meer deeglik ondersoek word. Die belangrikheid van die akute toksisteitstoetse is duidelik en het waardevolle informasie gelewer, maar sorg moet geneem word, en die nodige veiligheids faktore moet bepaal word en in ag geneem word, wanneer riskobepalingstudies gedoen word. Die gedragsproewe het getoon dat vir sekere pestisiede E. fetida 'n sensitiewe bioindikator van akute en/of sub-akute letale toksisiteits toetse kan wees, maar nie noodwendig vir ander pestisiede nie. Die doel van laboratoriumstudies is om so veel as moontlik inligting te versamelom vertroubare ekstrapolasie te kan maak na situasies in die veld vanaf laboratorium data. Laboratorium-na-veld ekstrapolasies is dikwels baie gekompliseerd as gevolg van die fisies-chemiese samestelling van die grond, die onvoorspelbare manier waarop chemiese pestisiede met die grond reageer en die reaksie van die grondorganismes op chemiese biosiede in die grond. Verdere studies moet gedoen word om so deeglik maanlik die mate van die impak wat die verskillende bestuurspraktyke op die grond fauna het, te verstaan op Plaisir de Merle.

Traditional vineyard floor management in the eastern USA consists of mown resident vegetation in the aisle and herbicide bare driplines, promoting soil erosion and crusting, compaction, lowered water penetration, herbicide resistance, difficult weed management, increased plant parasitic nematode populations and decreased soil biodiversity for pest management. To investigate these issues, four novel vineyard floor management techniques and two N-fertilizer applications were investigated using nematode assemblages as a bioindicator of soil health. Main-plot groundcover treatments include: 1.) grower control, consisting of mown fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in the aisle with herbicide bare vine dripline, 2.) red fescue, creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) established in both the aisle and vine dripline, 3.) successional, annually planted cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), spring oats (Avena sativa L.), and sorghum-sudan grass (Sorgum x drummondii) by planting them in succession with a no-till drill throughout the year, 4.) compost treatment consisted of a 2 to 1 mix of hardwood mulch and composted winery pomace applied across both the vineyard aisle and vine dripline. Split-plot nitrogen treatments include: 1.) no nitrogen fertility applied to grapevines, 2). 20 lb. N/ac applied to grapevine dripline at budbreak, bloom and veraison. The randomized complete block design with four main-plot treatments, two split-plot treatments and five blocks was established in 2013 and 2014 in a commercial mature Norton vineyard, planted in 2003, at 2.44 x 3.66 m spacing, in southern Illinois on a Hosmer silt-loam. The canonical analysis of principle components clearly revealed that compost and successional treatments were particularly effective at shifting nematode assemblages to higher populations of cp-5 nematodes to correlate with increases in soil respiration and organic matter, thus indicating establishment of a stable soil health structure both physically and ecologically. The results of the soil health analysis panel (soil respiration, water extracted organic carbon and water extracted macro-and micro-soil elements), consistently supported the interpretation of nematode community structure analysis. In fall 2015 the compost, red fescue and successional groundcovers combined with P and K soil fertility amendments increased water extractable K (WEK) in the aisle by 85%, 59% and 71%, respectively, compared to control; they similarly increased WEK in the aisle by 46%, 59% and 71%, respectively, in summer 2016. In the dripline WEK was increased 140%, 238% and 249%, respectively, by compost, red fescue and successional treatments that received no-N-prescription, compared to the control. The application of prescription-N increased WEK by 25% and 21%, respectively, in the compost and successional treatments that had a generous mulch layer. Soil P response to groundcover treatment clearly distinguished among each treatment the impact of nutrient turnover levels with water extracted P levels: successional > red fescue > compost > control, unique to each treatment. The water extracted mineral element levels detected with the soil health analysis were one-half to one-ninth the concentration extracted with the Mehlich-III test. Red fescue tripled the population of Pratylenchus spp. (236/100cc soil) in the dripline with prescription-N fertilization compared to no-N. Red fescue and successional treatments increased Helicotylenchus spp. populations by ~657% and ~172%, respectively, compared to compost (92/100cc soil) which closely resembled control response average in the dripline across 2015 and 2016. Prescription-N reduced Longidorus spp. by 78% compared to no-N treatment (23/100cc soil) in the dripline of fall 2015. Additionally, prescription-N added to the red fescue and successional treatments reduced Xiphinema spp. populations by 57% and 92%, respectively, compared to the control (52/100cc soil). Compost and successional groundcover treatments dramatically increased grapevine yield and crop size by 38% and 30%; and 29% and 38%, respectively, compared to grower control. The prescription N-fertilizer increased yield and crop size by 13% and 17%, respectively, compared to no-N. Compost and successional also increased Ravaz index by 33% and 60%, respectively, over control without reducing vine size which indicated their future vineyard sustainability.

Traditional vineyard floor management in humid regions consists of mown perennial grass or mown resident vegetation in aisles. Many vineyard sites in the eastern USA have climate and soil that support excessive vine vigor and rapid growth of aisle vegetation. Frequent mowing or unmanaged aisles are not a practical option. To explore vineyard floor management options for vine vigor and weed management while maintaining soil cover, vine balance, and fruit quality in the eastern USA, seven cover crop treatments: 1) grower control mown tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.), 2) chemically mown tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), 3) little barley (Hordeum pusillum Nutt.), 4) downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.), 5) oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.), 6) spring oats (Avena sativa L.), 7) chemically mown sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench sp.) were established for the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons in a commercial Cabernet franc vineyard, planted in 2000, in southern Illinois, on an Menfro silt loam soil. In fall 2011, oilseed radish reduced the fresh weight of grapevine shoots removed with summer hedging 46% compared to the grower control. In 2012, spring oats increased the weight of grapevine shoots removed with summer hedging 160% compared to the grower control. In 2012, spring oats, and chemically mown sorghum-sudangrass produced 82% and 73%, respectively, greater pruning weights compared to grower control mown fescue, also, spring oats, downy brome, and chemically mown sorghum-sudangrass produced 54%, 48%, and 50%, respectively, greater yields compared to the grower control in 2012. Cover crop did not affect Ravaz index in 2011 or 2012. Chemically mown sorghum-sudangrass reduced total soluble solids in grape must 7% compared to the grower control in 2012. Downy brome produced the most ground cover and greatest weed control at bloom time in 2011 and 2012, and harvest time in 2011. In 2012, oilseed radish at veraison and harvest time produced 97% and 177%, respectively, more ground cover than grower control. The persistent mulch produced by little barley and downy brome followed by burndown herbicide, Rely ® (glufosinate 1 lb ai/gal) 76 fl oz/acre in August reduced their average weed cover by a range of 99% to 89% compared to all other treatments except grower control at harvest 2012. Downy brome established in vineyard aisles had the greatest potential for maintaining weed control at bloom and harvest time, while increasing yield without decreasing vine size. However, more research is needed to develop a residue management program which encourages self-reseeding of downy brome and little barley. In a season with above average rainfall, oilseed radish reduced excessively vigorous vine growth. While all treatments studied had the potential for vineyard use, downy brome and oilseed radish had the most potential to be readily incorporated into practical vineyard aisle management systems provided they are managed to produce moderate vine size, without adverse effects to yield or fruit quality, while still maintaining effective weed control.

Mestrado Vinifera Euromaster - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL / Universitá degli Studi di Torino
Vines can encounter death due to several biotic and abiotic diseases and vine plantlets placed to replace them are often not able to compete with adjacent older plants (hypogeal and epigeous competitions). Replanting is a very expensive technique (cost of the vine, fertilizers, planting itself, …) and when vines are replanted in a vineyard they take longer than planting at the implant to get full productivity. Thus the usage of compound such as biostimulants that can accelerate the entrance in full production should be advisable. In this study several compounds have been tested and compared in term of vegetative growth. The effects of FNT 63 (abbr. FNT) stimulating Arbuscolar mycorrhizae, CO-ACTYL NP (abbr. COA), ILSARODDER + ILSACTIGREEN STAR (abbr. ILSA) and BIOHUMIN (abbr. BIO) are shown. The results for these biostimulants were generally not significant compared to untreated vines. Some results were obtained with FNT
N/A

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the past it was very difficult to visualise the extent and distribution of variability in growth vigour within vineyards. The advancement of remote sensing technology has changed this however, establishing new methods to assess and manage variability. Even though the causes and effects of within-vineyard variability in growth vigour are complex, new technologies offer better ways of monitoring, researching and managing these factors. In addition to the possible benefits of aerial or satellite remote sensing, new methods of mapping soil spatial variability as well as advances in georeferencing technologies supply precision tools to both researchers and producers. The scientific advancement of the technology, however, is currently the most important aspect needed. This is crucial to answer and explore fundamental questions regarding the use of the technology and the interpretation of results within the framework of the plant's observed reaction. Only then can the possible applications in vineyard management be optimised to address the management problems of extensive within-vineyard variation in growth vigour. The choice will always be to use the technology to manage the observed variability in order to limit the negative impacts of a heterogeneous harvest, or to identify the variability and its causes for the implementation of management practices aimed at a more homogenous vineyard and harvest. Whatever the case, extensive research is needed to provide tight correlations between information gathered with new technologies to assess variability and plant status, such as multi- and hyperspectral analysis, and ground-truthed results in the vineyard. Only then will it become evident which methods and analyses would be useful in the drive towards in-depth analysis and management of vineyards within the concept of precision viticulture and its derived advantages. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to establish an experimental model to use remote sensing technologies to identify and classify within vineyard variability with a subsequent analysis of the causes of variability and the effects on the plants. The targeted experimental model was a vineyard with highly heterogeneous above-ground growth. An aerial photograph of the vineyard was studied and manipulated to yield image pixel values used to quantify the degree of variability for different plots, which were chosen according to different plot layouts. Soil conditions were assessed on both a global and plot level, with extremely high pH and low resistance values in the soil in combination with erratic soil preparation practices found to be the main cause of variability. Soil physicochemical condition was also assessed during a soil profile pit study. Significant differences were found between several soil-related parameters measured for the higher and lower vigour levels and a strong correlation was also found between the resistance of a saturated soil paste and the image pixel values. Vegetative measurements also yielded highly significant differences between the vigour levels and confirmed the suitability of the vineyard to study within-vineyard variability. Some of these measurements were also strongly correlated with soil conditions as well as image pixel values. Trunk circumference proved to be an excellent measure for the level of variability, being linked strongly to canopy characteristics, soil conditions as well as the image pixel values. Leaf water potential measurements also yielded significant differences between the vigour levels. Harvest data and wine analyses showed the effect that vigour differences can have on grape composition and wine quality, even though the differences found here were much less than expected. Even though no clear preference was shown between the wines made from the different vigour levels, the lower vigour wine was considered fruitier. The overall quality of both experimental wines was however very high, considering that experimental winemaking techniques has been used. Hyperspectral measurements also confirmed differences between the vigour levels through a narrow-band NOVI (normalised difference vegetation index). It was also possible to show differences in certain biochemical compounds between the vigour levels on both a leaf and canopy level. Wavelength regions corresponding to carotenoid, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b showed different spectral reactions in the leaves of more stressed (lower vigour) canopies, indicating possibilities for further studies. This study and its results is the first of its kind in the South African wine industry and paves the way for more focussed and in-depth analyses of the use of specifically multiand hyperspectral data to accurately assess within-vineyard vigour variability and the management thereof to yield optimum quality grapes for a specific wine target. Moreover, the approach adopted in this study is also echoed in other international research programs in prominent wine countries. The availability of scientific research regarding the optimal use and limitations of these technologies has the potential to revolutionise production management practices in the next few years in the viticultural industry.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die verlede was dit baie moeilik om die omvang en verspreiding van groeikragvariasie binne 'n wingerd te visualiseer. Die vordering gemaak op die gebied van afstandswaarneming-tegnologie het egter nuwe metodes beskikbaar gestel waardeur hierdie variasie in wingerde gemonitor en bestuur kan word. Selfs al is die oorsake en invloede van binne-wingerd-groeikragvariasie kompleks, verskaf nuwe tegnologieë verbeterde metodes om hierdie variasie te monitor, te bestuur en na te vors. Saam met die moontlike voordele wat lugfoto's en satelliet-afstandswaarneming teweegbring, verskaf nuwe metodes om ruimtelike variasie in grondfaktore te karteer, asook vordering in geoverwysingstegnologie, presisiehulpmiddels aan produsente én navorsers. Die wetenskaplike vordering van dié tegnologie is tans van groot belang. Die belang daarvan is om fundamentele vrae te ondersoek en te beantwoord rakende die gebruik van die tegnologie en die interpretasie van resultate binne die raamwerk van die waargeneemde reaksie in die plant. Dit sal die weg baan vir optimale toepassing van die tegnologie in wingerdbestuur om sodoende die bestuursprobleme wat deur binne-wingerdgroeikragvariasie teweeggebring word, aan te spreek. Die voorkeurkeuse is om dié tegnologie aan te wend om hierdie variasie te bestuur sodat die negatiewe impak van In heterogene oes teengewerk kan word, of om die variasie te identifiseer vir die implementering van bestuurspraktyke gemik op die skep van 'n meer homogene wingerd en oes. Dit is noodsaaklik dat uitgebreide navorsing gedoen word om noue verwantskappe vas te stel tussen inligting wat ingewin is met behulp van nuwe tegnologieë wat die variasie in plantstatus monitor, soos multi- en hiperspektrale analise, en inligting wat op grondvlak ingewin is. Hieruit sal dit duidelik wees watter metodes en analises die doeltreffendste is vir in-diepte analises en die bestuur van wingerde binne die konsep van presisie-wingerdkunde. Met inagneming van hierdie aspekte, was die doel van hierdie studie om 'n eksperimentele model daar te stel waardeur afstandswaarneming-tegnologie gebruik kan word om variasie binne wingerde te identifiseer en te klassifiseer deur analises van die oorsake van hierdie variasie en invloede op die plant. Die geteikende eksperimentele model was 'n wingerd met hoogs heterogene bogrondse groei. 'n Lugfoto van die wingerd is bestudeer en gemanipuleer om pixelwaardes te verskaf wat die graad van variasie vir verskillende eksperimentele plotte, wat aan die hand van verskillende plotuitlegte gekies is, te kwantifiseer. Grondtoestande is bestudeer op 'n globale én plotvlak, met uiters hoë pH en lae weerstande in kombinasie met verkeerde grondvoorbereidingspraktyke, wat geïdentifiseer is as die hoofoorsake vir die hoë vlakke van variasie. Grondfisiese en -chemiese toestand is ook tydens profielgatstudies bestudeer. Betekenisvolle verskille is gevind tussen verskeie grondverwante parameters gemeet vir plotte met onderskeidelik laer en hoër groeikrag, en 'n sterk verwantskap is gevind tussen grondweerstand en pixelwaardes, soos vanaf die lugfoto bepaal. Vegetatiewe metings het ook betekenisvolle verskille tussen die hoër en laer groeikragvlakke opgelewer, wat die geskiktheid van die wingerd vir die studie van binnewingerdvariasie in groeikrag bevestig het. Van hierdie metings was ook nou verwant aan grondtoestande, asook beeldpixelwaardes. Stamomtrek was 'n uitstekende maatstaf vir die vlakke van variasie, aangesien dit nou verwant was aan lowertoestande, grondtoestande, asook beeldpixelwaardes. Blaarwaterpotensiaal-metings het ook betekenisvolle verskille tussen die hoër en laer groeikragvlakke opgelewer. Oesdata en wynanalise het die uitwerking van groekragverskille op druifsamestelling en wynkwaliteit uitgewys, selfs al was die verskille wat gevind is minder as wat verwag is. Hoewel geen duidelike voorkeur tussen die wyne afkomstig van verskillende groeikragvlakke uitgewys kon word nie, was die wyn wat van die laer-groeikrag stokke gemaak was, meer vrugtig. Die algemene kwaliteit van beide wyne was egter baie hoog as in ag geneem word dat eksperimentele wynmaakprosedures gevolg is. Hiperspektrale metings het ook die verskille tussen groeikragvlakke bevestig deur 'n nou-bandwydte NDVI ("normalised difference vegetation index"). Dit was ook moontlik om verskille in sekere biochemiese komponente tussen die groeikragvlakke op 'n blaar- én lowervlak uit te wys. Golflengte-areas ooreenstemmend met karotenoïed, chlorofil a en chlorofil b het verskillende spektrale reaksies in die blare met hoër stresvlak (laer groeikrag) lowers ten toon gestel. Dit het moontlikhede vir verdere navorsing uitgewys. Hierdie studie en die resultate wat verkry is, is die eerste van sy soort in die Suid- Afrikaanse wynbedryf. Dit baan die weg vir meer gefokusde en in-diepte analise van die gebruik van spesifiek multispektrale en hiperspektrale data om binne-wingerdgroekragvariasie akkuraat te monitor en te bestuur met die oog op optimum wynkwaliteit vir 'n spesifieke produkdoelwit. Die aanslag van hierdie navorsing is ook sigbaar in ander prominente wynproduserende lande. Beskikbaarheid van wetenskaplike navorsing rakende die optimale gebruik en tekortkominge van hierdie tegnologieë het die potensiaal om produksiebestuurspraktyke in die wingerdbedryf in die komende jare te revolusionaliseer.

Mestrado Vinifera Euromaster - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL / Institut National d'Études Agronomiques, Montpellier
Horses versus machines? Who would believe nowadays a mere animal can compete with the power of human engineering. This thesis has the objective to examine the effects of modern technology in viticulture in comparison to an old fashioned way of working with draft animals such as horses. Analyses were carried out during nine months and one vintage in two different vineyards with differences in cultivation practices with horses as draft animals on mostly bare soil or tractors with an alternate natural grass cover in the wine region Palatinate, Germany. Soil textures are the same in both comparable sites. The vineyard which was cultivated with horses is referred as vineyard horse and the vineyard which is cultivated mechanically is referred as vineyard tractor. Organic matter shows higher contents in the vineyard horse in topsoil as well as in subsoil. The C/N Ratio shows no big differences. Mineral contents of soil were measured as nitrogen, phosphor, potassium and magnesium with differences in values. The vineyard tractor counts with a higher average number of clusters per vine. Differences in percentage regarding total botrytis are minimal and vineyards show a higher infestation frequency in the vineyard horse but the infestation strength within the grape is lower in this vineyard. The cultivation with horses show higher values as density level, degree in Oechsle, total extract, pH, total acidity, tartaric acid and malic acid. The analyses of nutrients in must show higher contents of macronutrients in the vineyard horse as nitrogen, phosphor, potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium. Very high differences can be found within the amounts of nitrogen. The micronutrients in must such as iron, zinc, manganese and copper resulted in very similar values. The labor in working with draft animals in vineyards is more than two times higher compared to the vineyard that is mechanized. It is necessary to get a more detailed view including more vintages and more vineyards which can be analyzed in order to come to a more scientifically sound conclusion.
N/A

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The agricultural sector in South Africa relies heavily on the use of pesticides to protect crops against pest organisms. Pesticides can affect non-target organisms such as the meso- and macrofauna in the soil detrimentally. Since these organisms play an important role in the processes of mineralization and decomposition in the soil and contribute to soil fertility, it is important that they are protected. A large amount of published literature exists on the biological importance of soil meso- and macrofauna and the effects that various agricultural practices have on them. The main aim of this study was to investigate the influence of agricultural practices on the abundance and diversity of meso- and macrofauna in different vineyard soils. A comparative study was conducted of an organically managed, conventionally managed and an uncultivated control soil. A secondary aim was to determine the effect of these agricultural management practices on the biological activity of these animals. Soil samples were taken, from which mesofauna (Collembola and Acari) were extracted with a modified Tullgren extractor, identified and counted. Earthworms were extracted from the soil using hand sorting methods. Soil parameters such as pH, water holding capacity, organic matter content, soil texture and soil respiration were determined. Bait lamina and litter-bags were also used to help determine the biological activity within the soil. The mesofauna diversity was quantified using the Shannon Weiner diversity index, as well as a diversity index described by Cancela da Fonseca and Sarkar (1996). Differences in abundance of both the meso-and macrofauna were statistically measured using ANOVA's. Biological activity results were also interpreted using ANOV A's. Results indicate that the abundance of the meso fauna was the highest at the organically treated vineyard soil and lowest in the conventionally managed soil where pesticide application took place. The earthworms also showed the same trend as the mesofauna, but were much more influenced by seasonal changes. Biological activity, according to the bait lamina and the litter-bag results, was higher in both the conventionally and organically managed soils than in the control, but no statistical significant differences were found between the two experimental soils. The soil respiration (C02-flux), also indicating biological activity, was highest in the organically treated soil and lowest in the conventionally treated soil. The different sampling techniques used gave variable results and although the organically managed soil proved to have higher abundances of both meso- and macrofauna, the biological activity did not show the same trends. In conclusion the data did not give enough evidence as to whether organic management practices were more beneficial than conventional management practices for the maintenance of soil biodiversity.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid Afrikaanse Landbousektor steun hewig op die gebruik van verskillende chemiese pestisiede om oeste teen pes organismes te beskerm. Pestisiede kon ook verskeie ander nie-teikenorganismes soos die meso- en makrofauna in die grond negatief affekteer. Hierdie organismes behoort beskerm te word omdat hulle 'n belangrike rol speel in grondprosesse soos mineralisering, en die afbreek van organiese materiaal. Hierdie organismes dra ook by tot die vrugbaarheid van die grond. Daar is heelwat gepubliseerde literatuur beskikbaar wat verband hou met die biologiese belangrikheid van grond meso- en makrofauna en die effekte wat verskeie landbou behandelings op hulle het. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel watter invloed konvensionele landboupraktyke op die hoeveelheid en diversiteit van meso- en makrofauna in verskillende wingerdgronde het. 'n Vergelykende studie is gedoen om wingerdgronde wat konvensioneel en organies behandel is sowel as 'n onbehandelde kontrolegrond met natuurlike plantegroei met mekaar te vergelyk. 'n Sekondêre doel van hierdie studie was ook om die effek van die verskillende boerderymetodes op die biologiese akitiwiteit in die grond te ondersoek. Grondmonsters is geneem, waaruit die meso fauna (Collembola en Acari) deur middel van 'n aangepaste Tullgren ekstraktor ge-ekstraheer, geïdentifiseer en getel. Die erdwurms is deur middel van handsorteringsmetodes versamel. Die volgende grond parameters is gemeet: pH, waterhouvermoë, organiese materiaal inhoud, grondtekstuur en grondrespirasie. "Bait lamina" en "litter bags" is ook gebruik om biologiese aktiwiteit in die grond te bepaal. Die diversiteit van mesofauna is bepaal met die Shannon Weiner diversiteitsindeks, as ook 'n diversiteitsindeks wat deur Cancela da Fonseca en Sarkar (1996) ontwikkel is. Die resultate van beide die meso- en makrofauna hoeveelhede in die verskillende wingerdgronde is met mekaar vergelyk deur van ANOV A's gebruik te maak. Die resultate van die biologiese aktiwiteit is ook deur middel van ANOVO's statisties met mekaar vergelyk. Die resultate het aangetoon dat die hoeveelheid mesofauna die hoogste in die organies behandelde grond en die laagste in konvensionele grond was. Die erdwurms het dieselfde patroon as die mesofauna getoon, maar is baie meer deur seisoenale faktore geaffekteer, bv. reënval. Volgens die resultate van die "bait lamina" en die "litter bags" was die biologiese aktiwiteit in die grond hoër in beide die eksperimentele grond as in die kontrolegrond. Die grondrespirasie (C02-puIs) was hoër in die kontrolegrond as in die ander eksperimentele gronde. Daar was groot variasie tussen die resultate wat met die verskillende tegnieke verkry is en alhoewel die organiese perseel hoër hoeveelhede van beide meso- en makrofauna gehad het, het die biologiese aktiwiteit nie dieselfde tendens gewys nie. Vanuit die data wat verkry is kon daar dus nie met sekerheid afgelei word dat organiese boerderymetodes beter vir die biodiversiteit van gronde,soos hier gemeet, is as konvensionele boerderymetodes nie.

Implementation of Sustainable Management Practices at Two California Central Coast Vineyards and Their Effects on Soil Fertility Dawn Michelle Stimson “Sustainable agriculture” has gained increased popularity in recent years. This study was conducted to determine the effects of sustainable management practices on soil fertility at two California Central Coast vineyards. The effects of cover crops (Erosion Control Mix - blando brome [Bromus hordeaceus], hykon rose clover [Trifolium hirtum All.], and zorro annual fescue [Vulpia mourns]), green waste compost (Forest Blend), and reduced tillage on soil fertility were investigated in San Luis Obispo, California on a clay and sandy loam soil. Between the fall 2007 and spring 2008, which had a low precipitation amount (13.3 & 15.6 inches), there was a significant difference (P <0.001 to 0.007) between vineyards in terms of their mean soil nutrient and ratio concentrations. The range of soil values (soil pH, P, K, exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K, OM, Ca/Mg and C/N ratios) was either completely separate or different between Vineyard One and Two. There was almost no significant difference found between treatments and their effects on soil nutrients, exchangeable cations, and ratios. However, there were some noticeable effects on soil nutrients, exchangeable cations and ratios. Soil P and K concentrations increased in most areas (except cover crop/till where it decreased slightly). Soil P increases ranged from 14 to 143% while potassium increases ranged from 9 to 78%. Soil OM increased in all areas at both vineyards (5 to 55%). Ca/Mg ratios increased in some areas between 8 and 43%. C/N ratios increased in all areas between 5 and 85%. Soil type appears to affect soil nutrients, exchangeable cations, and ratios more than sustainable management practices. Keywords: Sustainable, vineyard, and soil nutrients.

Birds are a major pest in vineyards both in New Zealand and overseas. There is a need for new behavioural research on birds' foraging habits and feeding preferences in vineyards, as much of the literature to date is anecdotal. Research on cues to birds' feeding will provide a basis on which new deterrent and control strategies can be devised. Spatial-and temporal bird damage in a small vineyard block was mapped to find if damage was correlated with grape maturity and environmental factors. Vineyard and field observations of bird behaviour using video technology combined with preference experiments aimed to establish the relative roles of grape sugar concentration and colour in avian selection. Proximity of vineyards to bird roosts affects damage levels, regardless of differing maturity between locations. The rate of damage tends to increase exponentially once grape maturity has passed a threshold of 13 °Brix. Bunches positioned closest to the ground receive more damage if blackbirds or song thrushes are the predominant pests. Both sugar concentration and grape colour were found to affect birds' feeding preference, but the importance of the two factors varied between years. Black and green grape varieties were differentially preferred by blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) while silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) appeared to have no strong colour preference. It was apparent that there were other, not assessed, grape factors that also affect selection. In small unprotected vineyards that are adjacent to bird roosts the entire grape crop can be taken by bird pests. Besides removing the roosts, which can be beneficial shelterbelts in regions exposed to high winds, growers currently may have no alternative other than to use exclusion netting to keep crops intact. The differential preferences between bird species for variety characteristics suggest that any new deterrents and other strategies to deflect birds from grape crops may need to be species-specific.

Soil aggregates provide pore spaces of various sizes supplying water, gases and nutrients to plant roots and microorganisms, and facilitate moisture retention and availability. Soil aggregate stability is indicative of soil biological and structural health, and is increased by soil carbon derived from plant roots and the soil microbial biomass. Aggregate stability and soil carbon can be enhanced by increasing organic matter through compost additions or by planting cover crops. Additionally, aggregate stability is enhanced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that form a symbiotic association with plant roots, and consolidate soil particles into aggregates through hyphal networks and through the production of glomalin, binding soil particles together. The use of herbicides decreases soil carbon as it removes vegetation and the microorganisms associated with it. Soils having poor aggregate stability slake and disperse into primary soil particles becoming dense and subject to erosion when exposed to heavy rains. The use of herbicides amplifies this risk as it removes vegetation, leaving the soil bare, with nothing to absorb rainfall impact. The effect of vineyard floor management practices on aggregate stability, soil carbon and grapevine fruit yield was studied at two vineyard sites located within the Estrella district of Paso Robles, CA. In late fall of 2008, treatments were applied to the vine line including an herbicide, an herbicide plus compost, a cover crop, a cover crop plus compost and a cover crop plus a fungal inoculant treatment. The control had no herbicides, compost, cover crop, or fungal inoculant applied to it. The cover crop treatments were applied at 30 lbs/ac consisting of a mixture of 20 % blando brome (Bromus hordeaceus), 20 % Zorro fescue (Vulpia myuros), 30 % crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and 30 % subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum). Commercially available compost was applied at a rate of five tons per acre. The fungal inoculant was applied at eight pounds per acre, consisting of the AMF: Glomus intraradices, G. mosseae, G. aggregatum and G. etunicatum each at 32 propagules/ cc. Samples were collected in the spring of 2009 and the winter of 2010. Percent carbon was significantly higher in the areas where compost applications were received (P=0.014). Cover crops did not significantly increase the level of carbon in the soil (P=0.253). Compost and cover crops significantly increased the amount of > 4.0 mm soil aggregates (P=0.004 for compost and P=0.027 for cover crops). Herbicide treatments significantly reduced the amount of > 4.0 mm aggregates (P=0.028). Fungal inoculants had no effect on > 4.0 mm aggregate stability (P=0.361). Compost significantly increased mean fruit weight (P=0.041). These results suggest that the addition of compost and cover crops are an effective way of increasing > 4.0 mm aggregates and compost alone is an effective way to increase soil carbon and fruit yield.

Grape-derived aroma and flavor precursors exist partially as non-volatile, sugar-bound glycosides. Hydrolysis of these compounds may modify sensory attributes and potentially enhance wine quality. In the first study, four levels of shoot thinning (control, 20, 25, and 30 shoots per meter) with and without basal leaf removal (2-4 leaves per shoot) were established on mid-wire (90 cm), bilateral cordon-trained, mature Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevines in eastern Virginia in 1996 to determine the effects on grape chemistry, glycoconjugates, and conjugate fractions. Reduced shoot density generally resulted in higher berry weight and lower soluble solids (°Brix) at each sampling date. Titratable acidity and pH were generally unaffected by shoot thinning. The 25 shoots per meter treatment displayed the greatest rate of increase in total, red-free, and phenolic-free glycoconjugates, expressed as glycosides (μmol).. Leaf removal resulted in increased pH, total phenolics, and total anthocyanins at each sampling date and a higher concentration of total, red-free, and phenolic-free glycosides. In a second study, three crop levels [high (6.4 and 5.3 kg/vine), medium (5.1 and 4.9 kg/vine), and low (3.2 and 2.6 kg/vine) ] were established on mature Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines during the 1995 and 1997 seasons, respectively. Cluster thinning of vines trained to a mid-wire (90cm), bilateral cordon-system was performed by hand three weeks post-bloom to determine the effects on grape glycoconjugates and conjugate fractions (expressed as glycosyl-glucose). In 1995, reduced crop level resulted in higher soluble solids concentration, pH, and total and red-free glycosides but did not affect berry weight or titratable acidity. In 1997, the reduced crop level treatment had higher berry weight and lower soluble solids, sugar per berry, and anthocyanins compared with the high treatment throughout the sampling period. The low treatment had the highest concentration of total, red-free, and phenolic-free glycosides per gram of fresh fruit weight on the last sampling date and the highest total, red-free, and phenolic-free glycosides per gram of fresh fruit weight when compared at similar soluble solids concentrations. Duo-trio significance testing resulted in no sensory differences among the treatments in 1997. In a third study, Pinot noir (Vitis vinifera L.) wines were inoculated with one of six genetically different strains of Brettanomyces intermedius (Ave, M, 216, Vin 1, Vin 4, and Vin5). Wines stored sur lie and those racked immediately following the completion of secondary fermentation were analyzed to determine the influence of B. intermedius strains on total, red-free, and phenolic-free glycoside concentrations (estimated by the analysis of glycosyl-glucose), and on selected free volatiles. Sur lie wines inoculated with strain Vin 4 and racked wines inoculated with Vin 4 and Vin 5 had the lowest total glycoside concentration. Hydrolysis of red-free glycosides appeared greatest in sur lie wines inoculated with Vin 4 and racked wines inoculated with Vin 4 and Vin 5. Wines stored sur lie that were inoculated with M and Vin 1 and racked wines inoculated with Vin 1, Vin 4, and Vin 5 had the lowest concentration of phenolic-free glycosides. Wines were analyzed for volatile compounds known to be produced by Brettanomyces spp. Inoculated wines were found to have detectable concentrations of ethyl-2-methylbutyrate, isoamyl alcohol, ethyldecanoate, isovaleric acid, guaiacol, 2-pheylethanol, 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylphenol. There were significant differences in the concentrations of these compounds among strains. Duo-trio testing demonstrated sensory differences between the control and all inoculated wines. Differences were also found between wines inoculated with strains Ave and Vin 5, strains M and 216, and strains M and Vin 4.
Master of Science

Thesis (MScConsEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
In the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, where wine grape production and biodiversity conservation are of major importance, innovative management of the landscape is necessary to integrate the two activities. Alternative farming, such as organic and biodynamic farming, focuses on the preservation of biological processes in agroecosystems with the aim of increasing the sustainability of these sytems. It has been demonstrated in other regions that alternative farming can enhance biodiversity. This study assessed the potential of alternative vineyard management to conserve biodiversity, in particular epigaeic arthropod diversity, relative to the more widespread integrated vineyard management in the CFR. A hierarchical design was used, consisting of three localities, with three land-uses nested within each locality. The land-uses were alternative vineyards, integrated vineyards and natural vegetation sites as reference habitats. Sampling was done in June and October 2006 using pitfall traps. Nested ANOVAs were used to test for differences in abundance and species richness of the total assemblages, functional feeding guilds and selected generalized predatory taxa. Assemblage patterns were assessed using hierarchical agglomerative clustering and non-metric multidimensional scaling. Canonical correspondence analyses were used to evaluate the effects of environmental variables, management practices and landscape variables on community composition. Alternative vineyards supported a significantly higher overall arthropod abundance and species richness, more diverse predatory, saprophagous, phytophagous and omnivorous guilds, as well as more abundant and speciose spider and rove beetle assemblages than the integrated vineyards. Integrated vineyards harboured a greater abundance of predators, whereas results for nectarivores, wood borers, parasitoids and carabid beetles were variable. The differences could be explained in part by higher non-crop vegetation complexity and reduced management intensity of the alternative vineyards. Community composition was influenced by a combination of management practices, the surrounding landscape and geographic locality, which highlighted the interdependence of the cultivated land and its surroundings.

L'evolució cap a una agricultura més compromesa amb el medi ambient ha possibilitat, en viña, el trànsit cap a tècniques de manteniment del sòl més sostenibles, com són les cobertes vegetals. En aquest context es planteja el treball que constitueix la present tesi doctoral, els objectius de la qual són: a) estudiar la validesa de diferents tipus de maneig d'una coberta vegetal així com de les diferents espècies sembrades com a coberta, sobre la comunitat de males herbes presents en una vinya, especialment enfront Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; b) estudiar el comportament germinatiu de Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist; i c) estudiar el potencial fitotòxic de dotze espècies que es poden utilitzar com a coberta i/o encoixinat vegetal enfront de C. bonariensis, Aster squamatus (Spreng.) Hieron i Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Els resultats, en conjunt, verifiquen la capacitat de les cobertes vegetals per a controlar males herbes problemàtiques, contribuint a la implementació de manejos integrats més complets.
La evolución hacia una agricultura más comprometida con el medio ambiente ha posibilitado, en viñedos, el tránsito hacia técnicas de mantenimiento del suelo más sostenibles, como son las cubiertas vegetales. En este contexto, se plantea el trabajo que constituye la presente tesis doctoral, cuyos objetivos son: a) estudiar la influencia de distintos manejos de una cubierta vegetal así como de las distintas especies sembradas como cubierta, sobre la comunidad de malas hierbas presentes en un viñedo, especialmente frente a Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; b) estudiar el comportamiento germinativo de Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist; y c) estudiar el potencial fitotóxico de doce especies que se pueden utilizar como cubierta y/o acolchado vegetal frente a C. bonariensis, Aster squamatus (Spreng.) Hieron y Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Los resultados, en conjunto, verifican la capacidad de las cubiertas vegetales para controlar malas hierbas problemáticas, contribuyendo a la implementación de manejos integrados más completos.
The evolution of agriculture committed with the environment has enabled a transition, in vineyards, towards more sustainable techniques for soil maintenance, such as ground vegetation covers. In this context, the objectives of the work that constitutes the present doctoral thesis are: a) to study the validity of different ground vegetation covers and the species used for these, for the control of the weed community present in a vineyard, and especially against Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; b) to study the germination behaviour of Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist; and c) to study the phytotoxic potential of twelve species that can be implemented as cover crops and/or mulching against C. bonariensis, Aster squamatus (Spreng.) Hieron, and Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. The results, taken together, verify the capacity of the ground vegetation covers in controlling problematic weeds, contributing to the implementation of more complete integrated management systems.

Evaluating soil health using bioindicator organisms has been suggested as a method of analyzing the long-term sustainability of agricultural management practices. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of vineyard management strategies on soil food web structure and function, using nematodes as bioindicators by calculating established nematode ecological indices. Three field trials were conducted in a commercial Pinot Noir vineyard in San Luis Obispo, California; the effects of (i) fertilizer type (organic and inorganic), (ii) weed management (herbicide and tillage), and (iii) cover crops (high or low water requirements) on nematode community structure, soil nutrient content, and crop quality and yield were analyzed. Overall, although nematode ecological indices indicated that all plots had disturbed soil food webs, the indices proved to be less useful for measuring subtle differences in soil management over the short-term than anticipated. They showed few differences treatments. In general, the most pronounced differences were seen by sample location (under the vine or in the tractor row) and sample date, rather than treatment. None of the evaluated strategies affected crop quality, although fertilizer had a slight effect on yield. However, several indices were correlated with soil chemical parameters, including pH, nitrogen, carbon, and, to a lesser extent, EC. These results indicate that while nematode indices can be useful for comparing the state of the soil food web under long-term soil conditions, they may not be a robust measure of how agricultural management practices change soil health over a single growing season.

In the Central Coast of California, USA, wine grape growers are making efforts to identify weed control practices that promote biodiversity in their vineyards while maintaining yields. A field study was conducted in Paso Robles, CA in 2006 and 2007 evaluating the effect on Zinfandel grape-vine growth and production, groundcover plant, and ground dwelling arthropod communities of five weed control practices: 1) flumioxazin, 2) simazine, 3) cultivation, 4) cover crop, and 5) untreated control. The herbicide treatments had the lowest weed biomass followed by the cultivation, being approximately 10 and 2 times lower than the weed biomass of either the cover crop or untreated control treatments respectively. However, the differences in grape yield were not as evident. In 2006, a rainy year, the herbicides and cultivation treatments did not differ in grape yield, but the cover crop and untreated control had a reduction of approximately 20% compared with the other treatments. In 2007, a dry year, in comparison to the herbicide treatments, the grape yield reductions of cultivation were around 22%, and of the cover crop and untreated control around 48%. Although the cover crop reduced grape yield, it suppressed weed species considered important such as horseweed, panicle willowherb, scarlet pimpernel, and sowthistle. The cover crop, cultivation and untreated control had 4 to 50 times higher plant density and more than 15 times higher plant diversity compared to the herbicide treatments. The arthropod abundance differed among treatments only in 2007 being higher in the cover crop and untreated control. Also, there was a positive relationship between plant and arthropod diversity (r2 = 0.42, P = 0.02 in 2006; r2 = 0.64, P < 0.001 in 2007). Laboratory seed predation tests of the two most frequently captured carabid beetles, Calathus ruficollis and Tanystoma maculicolle, indicated their preferences for Brassica nigra and Capsella bursa-pastoris, which are considered common weed species in the region. Under field conditions, treatments with higher plant diversity and biomass favoured arthropod seed predation of these weeds, which was 20-40% in the cover crop and untreated control, doubling the predation observed in the herbicide treatments. The cultivation treatment balanced the benefits of promoting diversity while minimizing yield reductions due to weed competition. Our data indicated that the critical period of weed competition for Zinfandel grape vines occurred during budbreak-bloom period. Also, it was concluded that vines can tolerate a certain amount of weed competition, and that properly timing one pass post-emergence control tactics (e.g. cultivation or POST herbicides) could provide the necessary level of control to obtain the desired yields. However, under limited soil moisture conditions, the use of PRE herbicides could prove important to maintain vine yield and vigor. The results also illustrate how weed management practices that promote higher plant diversity and density have the potential to yield ecological services within vineyards by favoring the diversity and activity of other organisms.

Vineyard management practices are known to affect fruit composition and resultant wines, in part, by altering fruit volatiles. Methods currently used to evaluate the impact of vineyard practices on grape/wine composition include measuring physico-chemistry indices and performing wine sensory analyses. These activities are both time-consuming and destructive. Two electronic nose (ENose) systems: a hand-held conducting polymer-based and a portable surface acoustic wave-based systems were investigated as grape monitoring tools. Vineyard treatments included the effect of canopy side (East vs. West and North vs. South), cluster thinning (unthinned, 1 cluster/shoot, and 1 & 2 cluster/shoot) and ethanol spray (5% v/v) on Cabernet franc, Merlot and both varieties respectively. ENose data were obtained in the field (over two growing seasons for canopy side and in 2008 for cluster thinning and ethanol spray) and laboratory (2007 for canopy side), across different sampling dates and compared with nine-grape/eight-wine chemistry assays, GC/MS (cluster thinning) and wine aroma sensory evaluations (triangular difference testing). ENose results demonstrated 100% significant differences between all Cabernet franc and Merlot treatments. Grape/wine chemistry indices, for both Cabernet franc and Merlot, did not differ among treatments (except ethanol treatment) across sampling dates or growing seasons and vineyard management practices. Wine aroma sensory evaluations demonstrated only limited differences (3 out of 8 comparisons: East vs. West, 1 cluster/shoot vs. 1 & 2 clusters/shoot and 1 cluster/shoot and 1 & 2 clusters/shoot). The high level of discrimination by ENose systems may provide opportunities to enhance the understanding of vineyard management activities.
Master of Science in Life Sciences

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Both taxonomic diversity and diversity of species interaction networks are experiencing declines as a result of agricultural intensification at habitat and landscape scales. Reversing this trend is a key conservation issue, particularly for important functional groups such as flower-visiting insects and the networks within which they interact. This is of great concern in regions of high conservation priority such as the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), known for its high level of floral and faunal endemism and exceptional species turnover. Holistic approach to conservation in agricultural landscapes involves both preservation of natural land and wildlife friendly management of the farm land to achieve conservation targets. The value of these extensive management approaches is yet to be fully assessed, especially in perennial systems such as vineyards. I examined here the effects of vineyard management and landscape context on species richness and abundance of flower-visiting insects and their species interaction networks. Possible taxon specific effects were verified. I also investigated whether vineyards under organic and conventional management homogenized insect-flower interaction networks and whether vineyards with different management practices vary in patterns of species turnover. I sampled flower-visiting insects and their interactions in organic and conventional vineyards, and in natural reference sites. Inclusion of natural reference sites enabled me to make management recommendations for patches of natural vegetation in CFR agricultural landscape. Statistical models showed taxon-specific benefit of organic farm management, and of landscape (distance to natural habitat). There was benefit to monkey beetles (Scarabaeidae) but not to bees (Apidae). Organic vineyards had a higher number of insect-flower interactions than conventional ones, but vineyards under the two types of management were similar in terms of other important network indices. However, networks of the vineyards were more nested than the natural sites, indicating that they may be potentially more stable to perturbation and random extinctions. Multivariate dispersion tests revealed insect-flower interaction networks were not homogenized by both organic and conventional vineyards across the landscapes. I also found, through additive partitioning, that organic and conventional vineyards were similar in terms of species turnover of bees and flowering plants. The findings of this study provide heuristic value to current debates on the value of vineyard habitats for insect conservation. Both organic and conventional vineyards that promote sustainable management of the non-crop floral vegetation between vineyard rows are potential solutions for conservation of flower-visiting insects and their interactions. Also, attention has to be paid to the quality and connectivity of the natural habitat patches that are within CFR agricultural landscape. Site specific management and assessment of the value of these landscape elements is important. Management approaches such as carefully controlled burning may be beneficial, as the CFR natural vegetation is a fire-driven community.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Taksonomiese diversiteit en diversiteit van spesies-interaksie netwerke ondervind beide afnames as gevolg van landboukundige intensifikasie op habitat en landskap skaal. Om die neiging terug te swaai, is ’n sleutel bewaringsaangeleentheid, veral vir belangrike funksionele groepe soos blom-besoekende insekte en die netwerke waarbinne hulle op mekaar inwerk. Dit is van groot kommer in streke met hoë bewaringsprioriteite soos in die Kaapse Floristiese Streek (KFS), bekend vir sy hoë vlak van plant- en dierendemisme en buitengewone spesies kentering. ’n Holistiese benadering tot bewaring van landboukundige landskappe behels beide die bewaring van natuurlike land en natuurlewe-vriendelike bestuur van die plaasgrond om bewaringsdoelwitte te bereik. Die waarde van hierdie ekstensiewe bestuursbenaderings moet nog volledig bepaal word, veral in meerjarige sisteme soos wingerde. Ek het die uitwerkings van wingerdbestuur en landskapsamehang op spesiesrykheid en volopheid van blombesoekende insekte en hulle spesies interaksie netwerke ondersoek. Moontlike takson-spesifieke uitwerkings is nagegaan. Ek het ook ondersoek ingestel of wingerde onder organiese en gebruiklike bestuur ooreenstemmende insek-blom interaksie netwerke met wingerde met verskillende bestuurspraktyke in patroon van spesies kentering gewissel het. Ek het blom-besoekende insekte en hulle interaksies in organiese en konvensionele wingerde, asook in natuurlike verwysingsgebiede gemonster. Insluiting van natuurlike verwysingsgebiede het my in staat gestel om bestuursvoorstelle vir gebiede van natuurlike plantegroei in KFS landboulandskappe voor te stel. Statistiese modelle toon takson-spesifieke voordeel van organiese plaasbestuur en van die landskap (afstand van natuurlike habitat) self. Daar was voordeel vir bobbejaankewers (Scarabaeidae), maar nie vir bye (Apidae) nie. Organiese wingerde het ’n groter getal insek-blom interaksies as konvensionele wingerde gehad, maar wingerde onder beide tipes van bestuur was soortgelyk in terme van ander belangrike netwerk aanduiders. Netwerke van wingerde was egter meer geklomp dan natuurlike gebiede wat aandui dat hulle potensieel meer stabiel betreffende versteuring en lukrake uitsterwings is. Multivariate verspreidingstoetse het aangetoon dat insek-blom interaksie netwerke by beide organiese en konvensionele wingerde oor landskappe nie eenvormig was nie. Ek het ook bevind deur aanvullende verdeling dat organiese en konvensionele wingerde gelykwaardig was in terme van spesies kentering van bye en blomplante. Die bevindings van hierdie studie verskaf heuristise waarde tot huidige debatte oor die waarde van wingerdhabitatte vir insekbewaring. Beide organies en konvensionele wingerde wat volhoubare bestuur van die nie-gewas plantegroei binne wingerdrye bevorder, is moontlike oplossings vir die bewaring van blom-besoekende insekte en hulle wisselwerkings. Bykomend moet aandag gegee word aan die kwaliteit en verbindings van en tussen natuurlike habitat gebiede binne die KFS landboulandskap. Plekspesifieke (plaaslike) bestuur en bepaling van die waarde van hierdie landskapelemente is belangrik. Bestuursbenaderings, soos noukeurig beheerde brand, mag voordelig wees aangesien die KFS natuurlike plantegroei ’n vuurgedrewe gemeenskap is.

Thesis (MTech (Agriculture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
During the past years government regulations concerning winery effluent became stricter to protect the environment. Wineries are continually improving wastewater management and finding appropriate ways to reduce cellar effluent. Due to water scarcity in South Africa, it could be a huge advantage if winery effluent could be used as irrigation water for vineyards. If the industry can re-use the untreated wastewater, it will not only save a huge amount of irrigation water, but it will also be able to get rid of the vast amount of cellar effluent. Grape production plays a major role in agriculture worldwide. The world production of grapes worldwide in 2013 was 751 MgL. South Africa is the 9th biggest wine producer in the world with 10 X 10HL of wine. In the earlier years of wine production in South Africa, the small volumes of winery wastewater did not have a negative impact on the environment but with the increased volumes over the last years, the possibility of contamination of the soil and the environment has increased. Government decided to regulate the irrigation of cellar effluent with the National Water Act of 1998 as approved by the Department of Water Affairs (DWAF). There are different ways to get rid of cellar effluent. One successful way is by constructed wetlands where plants are used to break down minerals which could be detrimental to the environment. This is a successful way to get rid of cellar effluent but could take up to six weeks before the mineral contents can be broken down by the plants. Another way is to use bio-reactors to break down the contents of the cellar effluent, but this is expensive. Wastewater consists of important nutrients needed for plant growth such as macro-nutrients like N, P, K and micro-nutrients like Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu and a substantial amount of organic matter. If cellar water, just like domestic wastewater is used for irrigation the farmer can save water when he uses less fertiliser, because of the high nutrient content in the cellar effluent. If cover crops such as oats (Avena sativa L. cv. Pallinup) in winter and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) in summer can be used to remove excess cations, as well as unwanted chemicals such as toxic metals from the soil, it may result in effluent water with a higher chemical oxygen demand (COD) level than the current legal limitations that can be used to irrigate the vineyard. The aim of this project was, therefore, to determine the ability of oat and pearl millet cover crop to remove excess minerals from the soil irrigated with augmented water at different COD levels, without a negative effect on growth and yield of the vineyard or wine quality. Field trials were carried out in a Cabernet Sauvignon/99 Richter vineyard established on a sandy soil at the Goudini Cellar near Rawsonville.

A vitivinicultura é um dos principais setores agrícolas sendo importante a utilização de práticas mais sustentáveis que fomentem a biodiversidade. O presente estudo teve como principal objetivo avaliar de que forma diferentes modos de produção da vinha determinam diferentes níveis de abundância e diversidade de macroinvertebrados, tal como de produtividade. Pretendeu-se sugerir medidas de conservação que permitam aumentar a sustentabilidade das vinhas. Os macroinvertebrados do solo foram coletados utilizando armadilhas pitfall. Foram estudados três modos de produção: convencional, biológico e produção integrada em optidose. A área de estudo foi a Herdade dos Pinheiros da Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, em Évora, para as vinhas biológica e produção integrada em optidose, e Montoito, para a convencional. Concluiu-se que o modo de produção convencional tem efeitos negativos na abundância e diversidade de macroinvertebrados, havendo um controlo biológico reduzido. Os restantes modos de produção apresentaram valores aproximados entre eles, mas produtividades inferiores ao convencional; Effects of vineyard agricultural practices on the abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates Abstract: Nowadays, vineyards might play a key role in producing win-win solutions for agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, it is important to enhance sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different agriculture practices on macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity, as well as on productivity levels. We suggested conservation measures for vineyard management that improve biodiversity. We compared three differently managed vineyards: conventional, organic and integrated production with optidoses (controlled doses of chemicals). Soil macroinvertebrates were sampled by pitfall traps. Study area was Herdade dos Pinheiros (Fundação Eugénio de Almeida), in Évora, for organic and integrated production vineyards, and Montoito, for the conventional vineyard. We learned that conventional management measures have negative effects on the abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates. Therefore, biological control was lower in this vineyard. In organic and integrated production vineyards we found similar abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates, but lower levels of productivity compared to the conventional vineyard.

Thesis (MScAgric (Soil Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
Includes bibliography.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The natural resource condition or health has been accepted as a valuable indicator of sustainable land use. The assessment of soil health (quality) has become a valuable tool in determining the sustainability of land management systems. This work aims to evaluate the sustainability of soil management practices in agricultural extension for vineyards in Robertson, South Africa based, on the current approach of the concept of soil health and soil quality, as well as to briefly explore the present reservations regarding the definition of the concept. The soil management treatments include a mechanical weed control, chemical weed control, annual addition of straw mulch, annual cover crop and perennial cover crop. The objective of study is to (i) identify suitable soil health (quality) indicators for vineyards in the study area; (ii) analyze the soil health (quality) indicators for different soil management treatments; (iii) evaluate the effect of various soil management treatments on the overall soil functionality, by comparing measured indicators to the soil property threshold values, for optimal vine growth; iv) establish a more consistent understanding and use of the terms health and quality, as understood and used in the general science community, with particular reference to the public health system. The soil physical, chemical and biological properties which were selected as indicators of soil health (quality) based on specific criteria similar to previous work done on the concept. The properties selected include soil texture, gravimetric water content, bulk density, soil aeration, water aggregate stability, soil pH, EC, available N,P,K , soil organic matter content, soil microbial biomass, potential mineralizable nitrogen and soil respiration. The study makes use of methods of analysis previously used for soil health and soil quality assessments, as well as soil analytical methods as accepted by experienced soil scientist within the study area. The soil was sampled on three separate events to depths of 0-200 mm for initial characterization of soil and 0-50 mm to compare soil health (quality) Between tracks and In tracks of treatment plots. The values obtained for each property were compared with the optimum for vineyards and ranked accordingly. The treatment that resulted in the most desirable soil health (quality) was the straw mulch and perennial cover crop treatments.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die toestand of gesondheid van natuurlike hulpbronne is aanvaar as `n waardevolle aanduiding van volhoubare grondgebruik. Die assessering van grond gesondheid (kwaliteit) is 'n waardevolle hulpmiddel in die bepaling van die volhoubaarheid van grond bestuur stelsels. Hierdie werkstuk poog om die volhoubaarheid van grond bestuurs praktyke te evalueer vir wingerde in Robertson, Suid-Afrika wat baseer is op die huidige benadering van grond gesondheid en kwaliteit. Die tesis dek ook die huidige onsekerhede oor die konsep en definisies van terme wat gebruik word in die konsep. Die grond bestuur praktyke sluit in 'n meganiese onkruidbeheer, chemiese onkruidbeheer, jaarlikse toevoeging van `n strooi deklaag, jaarlikse en meerjarige dekgewas dekgewasse. Die doel van die studie was om (i) die geskikte grond gesondheid (kwaliteit) indikators vir wingerde in die studie area te identifiseer, (ii) die grond gesondheid (kwaliteit) indikators vir verskillende bogrond bestuur praktyke te identifiseer; (iii) die effek van verskillende grond bestuur praktyke op die algehele grond funksies te evalueer, deur dit te vergelyk met die gemete indikators vir drempelwaardes vir optimale wingerd groei; iv) 'n meer konsekwente begrip en gebruik van die terme “gesondheid” en “kwaliteit” vas te stel, soos dit verstaan en gebruik word in die algemene wetenskaplike gemeenskap, met spesifieke verwysing na die openbare gesondheidsisteem. Die grond fisiese, chemiese en biologiese eienskappe wat as indikators van grond gesondheid (kwaliteit) geselekteer was, word gebaseer op spesifieke kriteria soortgelyk aan dié wat in vorige werk op die konsep gedoen was. Die eienskappe wat geselekteer is sluit in grondtekstuur, gravimetriese waterinhoud, bulk digtheid, grond deurlugting, totalle water stabiliteit, grond pH, electriese geleiding, toeganklike N, P, K, grond organiese materiaal inhoud, grond mikrobiese massa, potensiële mineraliseerbare stikstof en grond respirasie. Die studie maak gebruik van analitiese metodes wat voorheen gebruik was vir grond gesondheid en kwaliteit, sowel as die grond analitiese metodes soos gebruik deur ervare grondkundiges binne die studie gebied. Die grondmonsters was geneem op drie afsonderlike geleenthede oor dieptes van 0-200 mm vir die aanvanklike karakterisering van grond en 0-50 mm, om grond gesondheid (kwaliteit) Tussen trekkerspore en In trekkerspore van die persele te vergelyk. Die waardes verkry vir elke eienskap was vergelyk met die optimum vir wingerde en verdeel volgens kwaliteit. Die behandeling wat die mees optimale grond gesondheid (kwaliteit) getoon het, was die strooi deklaag en meerjarige dekgewas behandelings.

In our ever more populated world, the rapid expansion and intensification of agriculture is driving worldwide biodiversity loss, and the interactions between production landscapes and wildlife conservation are becoming increasingly important. Farming systems depend on ecosystem services such as biological control, while conservationists are calling for the establishment of conservation initiatives in non-preserve landscapes. Despite this, the goals of agriculture and the goals of predator-conservation are rarely mutual. Here, I demonstrate one of the first examples of a mutually beneficial scenario between agriculture and predator conservation. I used, as a case study, a reintroduction project that translocated individuals of the threatened New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) from the hills of Marlborough into vineyards, to determine if predators can survive within an agricultural landscape while simultaneously providing that landscape with biological control services. Examples of vertebrates providing biological control to agriculture are rare. I show that the presence of falcons in vineyards caused an economically important reduction in grape damage worth over US $230/ ha. Falcon presence caused a 78- 83% reduction in the number of introduced European pest birds, which resulted in a 95% reduction in the damage caused by these species. Falcon presence did not cause a reduction in the abundance of the native silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), but did halve the damage caused by this species. To assess the conservation value of the falcon translocations, I used remote videography, direct observations and prey analysis to measure the behavioural changes associated with the relocation of falcons from their natural habitat in the hills and into vineyards. Falcons in vineyard nests had higher nest attendance, higher brooding rates, and higher feeding rates than falcons in hill nests. Additionally, parents in vineyard nests fed their chicks a greater amount of total prey and larger prey items compared to parents in hill nests. I also found an absence of any significant diet differences between falcons in hill and vineyard habitats, suggesting that the latter may be a suitable alternative habitat for falcons. Because reintroduced juvenile falcons were released in areas devoid of adult falcons, it was possible that they were missing essential training normally provided by their parents. I used direct observations to demonstrate that the presence of siblings had similar effects to the presence of parents on the development of juvenile behaviour, with individuals flying, hunting, and playing more often when conspecifics were present. Finally, through the use of artificial nests and remote videography, I identified that falcons nesting in vineyards are likely to suffer lower predation rates. I also found that falcons in vineyards are predated by a less dangerous suite of animals (such as hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus, and avian predators), than their counterparts in the hills, which are predated by more voracious species (such as stoats, Mustela erminea, and feral cats, Felis catus). The work presented in this thesis has also added to the current knowledge of New Zealand falcon breeding behaviour, prey preferences, and behavioural development. Although agricultural regions globally are rarely associated with raptor conservation, and the ability of raptors to control the pests of agricultural crops has not been previously quantified, these results suggest that translocating New Zealand falcons into vineyards has potential for both the conservation of this species, and for providing biological control services to agriculture

A agricultura representa a forma dominante de uso do solo em todo mundo. Esta prática afeta os macroinvertebrados do solo incluído as formigas. Poucos trabalhos foram realizados no país, sobre as formigas associadas às culturas agrícolas, nomeadamente as vinhas. Com o objetivo de conhecer a diversidade e a abundância de espécies de formigas em vinhas na região de Évora e compreender o impacte da sua gestão na comunidade de formigas, efetuaram-se, entre abril e junho de 2018, amostragens em 31 vinhas da região, nas Herdades do Esporão, do Passareiro, de Coelheiros, da Mitra e da Fundação Eugénio de Almeida. Foram recolhidos 23.464 exemplares de formigas, pertencentes a 4 subfamílias, 15 géneros e 26 espécies. Os géneros Aphaenogaster Tapinoma e Messor foram os mais diversos com 3 espécies em cada um. A espécie Tapinoma nigerrimum é a mais representada com o total de 6644 indivíduos. Dezoito das espécies identificadas são omnívoras. Em relação ao tipo de gestão da vinha, proteção integrada ou produção biológica, não existiram diferenças significativas quanto a abundância e a riqueza de formigas. Contudo, identifiquei uma relação positiva entre a abundância de formigas e a cobertura de herbáceas nas entrelinhas das vinhas em junho. Os índices de diversidade demonstraram haver uma relação negativa com o tamanho das folhas da vinha em abril. Estes resultados indicam que a gestão da vinha tem influência na abundância e riqueza de formigas, que providenciam importantes serviços de ecossistema, como a melhoria da estrutura do solo e a predação de alguns artrópodes prejudiciais para a vinha. Com este trabalho espera-se ter contribuído no conhecimento da diversidade de espécies de formigas e da sua distribuição em Portugal, principalmente no sul do território; ABSTRACT: ANTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VINES OF THE ÉVORA REGION Agriculture represents the dominant form of land use worldwide. This practice affects the macroinvertebrates of the soil including ants. Few work has been carried out in Portugal on ants associated with agricultural crops, namely vineyards. In order to know the diversity and abundance of ant species in vineyards in the Évora region and to understand the impact of its management on the ant community, samples were carried out between April and June 2018 in 31 vineyards in this region. A total of 23,464 ant specimens belonging to 4 subfamilies, 15 genera and 26 species were identified. The genera Aphaenogaster, Tapinoma and Messor were the most diverse with 3 species in each. The species Tapinoma nigerrimum is the most represented with a total of 6644 individuals. Eighteen of the identified species are omnivorous. Regarding the type of vineyard management, integrated protection or biological protection, there were no significant differences regarding the abundance and richness of ants. However, I found a positive relationship between the abundance of ants and the herbaceous cover between vine rows in June. The diversity indexes showed a negative relationship with the size of the leaves of the vineyard in April. These results show that the vineyard management influences both ant abundance and species richness thus, the ecoystem services that they provide, mainly improving soil structure and the predation of some arthropod pests. With this work it is expected to have contributed to the knowledge of the diversity of ant species and their distribution in Portugal, mainly in the south of the territory.

Vineyards in the Eastern United States are often prone to excessive vegetative growth. In order to suppress excessive vine vigor, many viticulturists have employed cover cropping strategies. Cover crops provide a myriad of agronomic benefits, however they are known to compete with the vine for water and nutrients. Due to the widespread use of cover crops in Eastern vineyards, many vineyards experience nitrogen (N) deficiencies in both the vegetative vine tissue and yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in the juice. Soil applications of calcium nitrate and foliar applications of urea were assessed as a means of vineyard N amelioration at cover cropped sites comprised of Petit Manseng and Sauvignon blanc (Vitis vinifera L.). Perennial White and Crimson clover cover crops and foliar urea applications were also used in a Vidal blanc (Vitis spp.) vineyard. Treatments were imposed in the Sauvignon blanc vineyard for five years. The Petit Manseng and Vidal blanc vineyards were subjected to treatments for two years. Soil-applied N at bloom was most effective at increasing leaf petiole N at véraison, season-long chlorophyll content index (CCI), vine capacity and fruit yield. Fruit yield was increased due to more berries per cluster and greater berry weights. Increased rates of soil-applied N decreased the fruit weight:pruning weight ratio. Foliar-applied N after fruit set was most effective at increasing berry YAN. While most of the measured amino acids in fruit increased in concentration with the application of either soil or foliar N, foliar applications were more effective at increasing fruit amino acids. Clover cover crops offered little to no benefit as a N source in the two-year period of evaluation. None of the N management schemes negatively impacted canopy density, fruit zone light interception, or botrytis bunch rot incidence. The combination of both a soil-applied and foliar-applied N fertilizer may be the most effective means to increase both vine capacity and YAN in vineyards where vineyard floor cover crops are compromising vine N status.
Master of Science

Organic mulches and cover crops mulched in situ were assessed for their effects on B. cinerea primary inoculum and disease levels in inflorescences at flowering and/or bunches at harvest. Organic mulches were used to enhance biological degradation of vine debris to reduce levels of B. cinerea primary inoculum the following season. Four mulch types (anaerobically and aerobically fermented marc (grape pressings), inter-row grass clippings and shredded office paper) were applied under ten-year-old Riesling vines in a ten-replicate randomized block design in New Zealand over two consecutive years. Plastic mesh bags, each containing naturally infected vine debris, were placed under vines on bare ground (control) and at the soil-mulch interface, in winter (July) 2003 and 2004. In each year, half the bags were recovered at flowering (December) and the remainder at leaf plucking (February), for assessment of B. cinerea sporulation from the vine debris and debris degradation rate. Bait lamina probes, which measure soil biological activity, were placed in the soil-mulch interface three weeks before each of the two bag-recovery dates in both years and were then removed and assessed at the same times as were the bags. All mulches led to a reduction in B. cinerea sporulation. This reduction was significantly correlated with elevated rates of vine debris decomposition and increased soil biological activity. Over both years, compared with the controls, all treatments gave a 3-20-fold reduction in B. cinerea sporulation, a 1.6-2.6-fold increase in vine debris degradation and in the two marc and the paper treatments, a 1.8-4-fold increase in activity of soil organisms. The mulches also altered vine characteristics and elevated their resistance to B. cinerea through changes to the soil environment. Functional soil biological activity, as measured by Biolog Ecoplates and bait lamina probes, was increased 2-4 times in the two marc and paper treatments, compared with the control, an effect relating to the elevated soil moisture and reduced temperature fluctuations under these mulches. Soil nutrient levels and the C:N ratios were also affected in these treatments. The mulched paper lowered vine canopy density by up to 1.4 times that of the other treatments, an effect which probably led to elevated light penetration into the canopy and consequent increased canopy temperature, photosynthesis and lowered canopy humidity. These changes to soil and vine characteristics increased grape skin strength by up to 10% in the paper treatment and sugar concentrations by 1.2-1.4 °Brix in the two marc and paper treatments. The severity of B. cinerea infections in the anaerobic marc, aerobic marc and paper treatments were reduced to 12%, 3% and 2.2% of the control, respectively, in field assessments averaged over two consecutive harvests. Cover crops mulched in situ had similar effects to those of the organic mulches, increasing soil biological activity and reducing B. cinerea primary inoculum and the severity of B. cinerea infection in grapes at harvest (2006). Inter-row phacelia and ryegrass were mulched in winter 2005 and compared with a bare ground control, under 10-year-old Chardonnay vines in a ten-replicate randomized block design. Functional soil biological activity increased by 1.5-4.5 times in the two cover crop treatments compared with the control, an effect possibly related to elevated soil moisture in these treatments. This increase in soil moisture and soil biological activity increased vine debris degradation, reduced B. cinerea primary inoculum on the debris and decreased B. cinerea severity at flowering (December 2005) and harvest (April 2006). These results show the potential of organic mulches and cover crops mulched in situ to enhance soil ecosystem services and improve the sustainability of viticultural practices.

Micro-irrigation scheduling, fertigation and mulching can be used by growers to improve the nutrient and water-use efficiency of crop production. Agriculture contributes to global warming through emission of greenhouse gases CO₂ N₂O, and CH₄. There is little information about how management practices affect N₂O emissions from vineyard and orchard soils. In a two year field experiment, N₂O fluxes from a grape (Vitis vinifera L.; Merlot) vineyard and an apple (Malus domestica Borkh; Ambrosia) orchard under microirrigation in the semiarid Okanagan Valley of British Columbia were measured using static chambers. Soil mineral N and organic carbon, environmental variables and fruit yield were also monitored. Treatments in the grape vineyard involved micro-irrigation types (Drip or Micro-sprinkler), nitrogen sources (surface-applied compost or fertigated Urea; 40kg N ha‐¹), and two floor managements (surface-applied shredded bark and wood Mulch or Clean - bare soil). Treatments in the apple orchard involved drip irrigation frequency (twice per day or twice per day on every 2nd day) delivering the same total amount of water, orchard floor management (Mulch or Clean) and nitrogen application rate applied as calcium nitrate by fertigation (20 or 40 g N tree‐¹). Spring thaw accounted for 30 to 50% of annual emissions in both experiments. Over a period of two complete years in the grape vineyard Micro-sprinkler irrigation reduced growing season N₂O emissions by 29% (compared to Drip) and on an annual basis Mulch decreased them by 28% (compared to Clean ). In the apple orchard irrigation every 2nd day reduced N₂O emissions by 30% and application of Mulch reduced them by 20%. Reduced drip irrigation frequency and mulching may provide an opportunity for suppressing N₂O emissions from drip-irrigated vineyards and orchards. There was alsolarge spatial variability of N₂O and CO₂ emissions with respect to distance relative to the apple tree and dripper locations. The emission factor (N emitted as N₂O per unit of total applied N) from the applied fertilizer (uncorrected for background emission) across all treatments averaged 2.8% in the vineyard and 2.4% in the orchard. The 1% default IPCC emission factor likely underestimates N₂O emissions from these systems.
Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences (Okanagan)
Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of (Okanagan)
Graduate

Fatores que influenciam a comunidade de morcegos em vinhas: o papel das caraterísticas da paisagem, estruturas naturais e gestão As vinhas são um sistema agrícola muito representado na Europa. Essas áreas apresentam baixos níveis de biodiversidade devido à simplificação da paisagem e ao elevado uso de pesticidas, o que reduz a disponibilidade de insetos e as torna pouco atrativas para morcegos. Nós investigámos o efeito da gestão, do tipo de uso do solo e das estruturas naturais na atividade e riqueza de morcegos em vinhas a duas escalas espaciais: 500 m (escala de vinha) e 1500 m (escala de paisagem). Os resultados demonstraram que as estruturas e os habitats naturais foram mais importantes para os morcegos do que a gestão da vinha. Nós sugerimos que as prioridades de conservação devem ser criar ou manter vegetação ripária e áreas de montado. Essas estruturas naturais são uma componente chave na gestão para promover o uso das vinhas por morcegos, aumentando o seu potencial como reguladores de pragas agrícolas; ABSTRACT: Vineyards are one of most represented agricultural systems in European landscape. These areas can present low biodiversity levels due to simplification of landscape and the high input of pesticides, which reduce insect availability and makes them unattractive for bats. We assessed the effect of farming management, land use type and natural structures on bat activity and species richness in vineyards at two spatial scales: 500 m (vineyard scale) and 1500 m (landscape scale). Our results demonstrate that natural structures and habitats were more important to the bat community than vineyard management. We suggest that conservation priorities should be to create or maintain riparian vegetation – near streams or small dams - and areas of “montados”. These natural structures are important for bat populations within or near vineyards, and a key component of agricultural management to promote bat use of vineyards, enhancing their role as pest regulators.

Il marciume del grappolo, causato da Botrytis cinerea, è una delle principali malattie che colpiscono la vite. Botrytis cinerea si sviluppa e cresce attivamente come patogeno necrotrofo e saprofita su diversi substrati. In vigneto, B. cinerea può produrre un ampio numero di conidi in un’ampia gamma di condizioni ambientali. Botrytis cinerea ha diversi pathway d’infezione e le infezioni occorrono principalmente in due periodi: dalla fioritura allo sviluppo dei giovani grappoli, e dopo invaiatura alla raccolta. A causa della complessità del ciclo di vita di B. cinerea e all’esistenza di questi diversi pathway d’infezione, i fungicidi vengono normalmente applicati a fine della fioritura (A), pre-chiusura del grappolo (B), invaiatura (C), e prima della raccolta (D). Le applicazioni durante la prima parte della stagione (A e B) hanno come obiettivo: i) la riduzione della germinazione dei conidi e le infezioni fiorali, ii) la prevenzione delle infezioni latenti delle bacche, e iii) la disinfezione dei residui di fioritura. Le applicazioni successive all’invaiatura (C e D) hanno lo scopo non solo di prevenire le infezioni durante la maturazione ma anche di disinfestare i residui di fioritura rimasti all’interno del grappolo. Questa strategia, basata su quattro trattamenti, garantisce una buona protezione contro il marciume del grappolo in vigneto, tuttavia presenta alcuni limiti: i) si tratta di un approccio preventivo che non considera il reale rischio d’infezione, con il conseguente effetto di eseguire trattamenti non necessari; ii) aumenta la probabilità che si sviluppino popolazioni resistenti ai fungicidi; iii) implica potenziali risvolti negativi sulla salute umana e sull’ambiente. Negli ultimi anni, nuove tipologie di prodotti, come gli agenti di biocontrollo (BCAs) e i botanicals, sono state proposte per ridurre l’uso eccessivo di prodotti chimici e aumentare la sostenibilità del controllo del marciume del grappolo in vigneto. Lo scopo di questa tesi di Dottorato è stato: i) comparare diverse strategie di controllo e valutare l’interazione tra fungicidi con diversi timing di applicazione, ii) valutare l’effetto sulla colonizzazione e sporulazione di B. cinerea su residui fiorali di diversi prodotti (fungicidi, agenti di biocontrollo, e botanicals) applicati con diversi timing; iii) valutare un modello meccanicistico sviluppato da González-Domínguez et al. (2015); e iv) includere all’interno di un modello per il biocontrollo, sviluppato da Jeger et al. (2009), l’effetto delle condizioni ambientali sulle interazioni BCA-patogeno.
Botrytis bunch rot (BBR), caused by Botrytis cinerea, is one of the main diseases affecting grapevine. Botrytis cinerea develops and actively grows as necrotrophic pathogen and as saprophyte on different substrates. In grapevine, B. cinerea can produce a large number of conidia on bunch and leaf trash and rotted berries under a wide range of environmental conditions. Botrytis cinerea has multiple infection pathways and infection mainly occurs in two periods: from flowering to young cluster development, and after veraison to harvest. Due to the complexity of the B. cinerea life cycle and the existence of these different infection pathways, fungicides are usually applied at the end of flowering (A), pre-bunch closure (B), veraison (C), and before harvest (D). The early season applications (A and B) are aimed at: i) reducing conidial germination and infection of flowers, ii) preventing latent infections of berries, and iii) disinfesting the bunch trash. The later-season applications (i.e., the applications from veraison until harvest; C and D) are aimed not only at preventing berry infection during ripening but also at disinfesting bunch trash in order to reduce the inoculum load. This fungicide schedule may results in unnecessary sprays because the applications are preventive and do not take into account the real risk of BBR infections. In the last decades, new products, like biological control agents (BCAs) and botanicals, have been proposed for reducing the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture and increase the sustainable of BBR control in vineyards. The aim of this Doctoral work was to: i) compare different control strategies and evaluate the interactions among fungicides applied at different timings; ii) investigate the effects of different products (fungicides, biological control agents, and botanicals) applied at different timings on B. cinerea bunch trash colonization and sporulation; iii) evaluate a weather-driven mechanistic model developed by González-Domínguez et al. (2015); and iv) include into a model for biological control, developed by Jeger et al. (2009), the effect of environmental conditions on the pathogen-BCA interactions.

Les versants viticoles en Côte-d’Or (Bourgogne, France) présentent une forte diversité de sols résultant d’interactions entre des facteurs naturels et des facteurs anthropiques opérant à diverses échelles spatio-temporelles. Le sol représente un enjeu majeur en viticulture, car il détermine en partie la qualité de la production viticole. Or, il est soumis à d’importantes dégradations causées par l’érosion. Pour mieux gérer ce patrimoine sol et pérenniser la viticulture côte d’orienne, une meilleure connaissance de celui-ci est nécessaire. Ce travail a pour objectifs de caractériser les sols viticoles et d’identifier les facteurs qui contribuent à leur diversité par une approche interdisciplinaire croisant la géologie, la géomorphologie, la pédologie, l’histoire de l’occupation du sol et des pratiques. Les données ont été acquises à très haute résolution spatiale à partir de diverses méthodes d’imagerie i.e. télédétection par imagerie, géophysique de subsurface et modèle numérique de terrain. À l’échelle du versant, les cartes pédologiques produites à grande échelle permettent de discuter du modèle d’organisation des sols. À l’échelle de la parcelle, ces cartes mettent en évidence l’impact de l’homme sur la diversité des sols, par son rôle sur la structure du parcellaire et l’intensité de l’érosion notamment. La diversité des sols viticoles dépend de l’échelle spatiale à laquelle ils sont observés. À l’échelle du versant, les sols évoluent en fonction des variations du substrat géologique et de la topographie, suivant le modèle de topolithoséquence. À l’échelle de la parcelle, les variations du sol, telles que son épaisseur et son statut organique, peuvent être appréhendées, permettant d’en prédire le comportement agronomique. L’influence de l’homme se marque à la fois sur la structure du parcellaire et par les pratiques culturales anciennes et actuelles. Il participe ainsi à la construction des terroirs, à travers son action sur la diversité des sols
The Burgundian vineyard hillslopes (Côte-d’Or, France) exhibit a high diversity of soils resulting from the combination of several natural and anthropogenic factors acting at various spatio-temporal scales. The soil types have major role in viticulture, since they partly determine wine-growing quality. However, soil undergoes important degradation caused by hydric erosion and vineyard management practices. To control this soil heritage for a sustained viticulture in Côte-d’Or, a better knowledge of soil is necessary. The objectives of this work is to characterise vineyard soils and to identify the factors governing their diversity using an interdisciplinary approach crossing geology, geomorphology, pedology and history of soil land use and vineyard management practices. Data have been acquired at a high spatial resolution from different imagery methods i.e. remote sensing, subsurface geophysics, and digital terrain model. At the hillslope scale, high resolution soil maps permit to predict soil agronomical comportment and discuss the spatial soil organisation of vineyard hillslope soils. At the plot scale, these maps highlight the human impact on soil diversity through its role on landscape structure and erosion intensity. Our work shows that the soil diversity of the vineyard hillslopes depends on the spatial scale used to analyse this diversity. At the hillslope scale, soil is gradually evolving along the slope, and is controlled by the geological substrate and topographical variations, and responds to topolithosequence model. At the plot scale, variations of soil thickness and organic status are taken into account and permit to predict soil agronomic behaviour. This soil diversity is partly related to human impact, due by both historical and present vineyard management practices. It appears that human activities have a past and present influence on the terroir construction in Côte-d’Or, through its action on soil diversity

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A survey was conducted in the Western Cape Province during the 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 seasons on mealybugs occurring in vineyards. P/anococcus ficus (Signoret) was the dominant mealybug in vineyards during this time. During this study P. ficus was recorded for the first time on roots of grapevines, which has far reaching implications for the control of this important vine leafroll virus vector as control actions were focused on above ground control. Other mealybugs presently recorded in local vineyards included Pseudococcus /ongispinus (Targioni) and Ferrisia ma/vastra (McDaniel). Pseudococcus viburni (Maskell) and Ps. so/ani Ferris were found on weeds in vineyards. Natural enemies of P. ficus recorded most frequently were species of Nephus predatory beetles, and the parasitaids Coccidoxenoides peregrinus (Timberlake), Anagyrus sp. and Leptomastix dacty/opii (Howard). Developmental studies on P. ficus and C. peregrinus indicated that the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was similar, peaking at 25°C (rm = 0.169 for P. ficus; rm = 0.149 for C. peregrinus). The net replacement rate (Ra) was higher for P. ficus than for C. peregrinus at all five temperatures tested. The Ra for P. ficus reached a maximum at 21°C (308.87) and C. peregrinus at 25°C for C. peregrinus (69.94). The lower and upper thresholds for development of P. ficus were estimated at 16.59 and 35.61°C respectively. The lower threshold for development of C. peregrinus was 8.85°C. These parameters indicated that both insects were well adapted to temperatures in the Western Cape Province. The lower minimum threshold temperature of C. peregrinus in relation to that of P. ficus suggests that C. peregrinus should be more active during winter and early spring than P. ficus. A central systematic presence-absence sampling system was developed for P. ficus. Monitoring three different plant parts on the vine indicated that new growth areas on vines adjacent to the main stem could serve as an early warning system for pending P. ficus bunch infestations. Intervention should be planned when 2 % of the stems are infested with P. ficus when using this system. Seasonal population studies of P. ficus and its natural enemies showed that stem infestation by P. ficus reached peak levels during January in Robertson and Stellenbosch and during February in the Hex River Valley. Vine mealybugs colonised new growth early in the season, followed by the leaves and eventually the bunches towards the end of the season. High stem infestations early in the season resulted in high bunch infestation levels at harvest. A density dependent relationship was evident between P. ficus populations and parasitoid populations, suggesting that the parasitoids played a mayor role in the biological control of P. ficus populations. Biological control was however only achieved towards the end of the season when damage to the crop had already occurred. Mass releases of C. peregrinus on P. ficus populations were done in order to augment biological control as an alternative to chemical control. Between five and six releases of 20 000 C. peregrinus per release were done at monthly intervals in three grapegrowing areas. Mass released C. peregrinus controlled P. ficus adequately in the Hex River Valley. Control of P. ficus using this approach was no worse than using chemical control in Robertson and Stellenbosch. C. peregrinus is commercially available and can therefore be used as an alternative to chemical control by producers. Degree day estimation was used to predict development of P. ficus populations. This information was used as an input in a P. ficus pest management model. Data acquired from P. ficus and ant monitoring were used as components to construct a decision chart. This chart can be used by producers to optimise the control of P. ficus populations using either chemical control or mass releases of C. peregrinus.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: "n Studie is gedurende die 1999/2000 en 2000/2001 seisoene gedoen met die doelom die witluisspesies wat in wingerde voorkom, te identifiseer. Planococcus ficus (Signoret) is tans die dominante witluisspesie in wingerde in die Wes Kaap Provinsie. P. ficus kolonies is op wingerdwortels gevind. Dié bevinding kan verreikende gevolge hê vir die beheer van dié plaag as "n belangrike rolbladvirus vektor aangesien beheer tot dusver gefokus het op bogrondse gedeeltes. Ander witluisspesies wat in wingerde gevind is, sluit in Pseudococcus /ongispinus (Targioni) en Ferrisia malvastra (McDaniel). Pseudococcus vibumi (Maskell) en Ps. so/ani Ferris is op onkruide in wingerde gevind. Dominante natuurlike vyande van P. ficus sluit predatoriese kewertjies van verskeie Nephus spp. en die parasitoïede Coccidoxenoides peregrinus (Timberlake), Anagyrus sp. en Leptomastix dacty/opii (Howard) in. Ontwikkelingstudies op P. ficus en C. peregrinus het aangetoon dat die inhirente voortplantingstempo (rm) soortgelyk was vir beide insekte met "n maksimum by 25°C (0.169 vir P. ficus, 0.149 vir C. peregrinus). Die netto vervangingstempo (Ra) was in vergelyking met C. peregrinus hoër vir P. ficus by al vyf temperature getoets. Die Ra van P. ficus het "n maksimum bereik teen 21°C (308.87) en die van e. peregrinus by 25°C (69.94). Die teoretiese hoër en laer drempels vir ontwikkeling van P. ficus was onderskeidelik 16.59 en 35.61 oe. Die teoretiese laer drempelwaarde van ontwikkeling vir e. peregrinus was 8.85°e. Hierdie parameters dui aan dat beide insekte goed aangepas is by temperature in die Wes Kaap Provinsie. Die laer minimum drempel vir ontwikkeling van C. peregrinus in verhouding tot P. ficus impliseer dat C. peregrinus in die winter en vroeë lente meer aktief sal wees as P. ficus. 'n Sentrale sistematiese aan-afwesig moniteringsisteem met bekende vlakke van steekproefnemingsfout is ontwikkel in kommersiële wingerde vir P. ficus. Monitering van drie verskillende dele op die wingerdstok het aangedui dat die nuwe groei areas kan dien as 'n vroeë waarskuwing vir latere P. ficus trosinfestasies. Dié sisteem sal produsente in staat stelom te bepaal wanneer optrede noodsaaklik is. Daar word voorgestel dat optrede noodsaaklik is by 'n P. ficus besmettingsvlak van 2 % op die nuwe groei areas op stokke. Stambesmetting deur P. ficus het in Januarie piekvlakke bereik in Stellenbosch en Robertson, en in Februarie in die Hex Rivier Vallei. P. ficus koloniseer nuwe groei vroeg in die seisoen waarna blare en trosse aan die einde van die seisoen gekoloniseer word. Dié data dui aan dat P. ficus besmetting op nuwe groei vroeg in die seisoen 'n aanduiding kan gee van hoë trosbesmetting aan die einde van die seisoen. 'n Digtheidsafhanklike verwantskap was waarneembaar tussen P. ficus plaagpopulasies en parasitoïed populasies. Dié verwantskap dui aan dat parasitoïede die belangrikste rol speel in biologiese beheer van P. ficus populasies. Biologiese beheer van witluis is egter eers aan die einde van die seisoen bereik toe die oes reeds beskadig was. Massavrylatings van C. peregrinus is in P. ficus besmette blokke gedoen om biologiese beheer aan te help en sodoende as alternatief tot chemiese beheer te dien. Tussen vyf en ses vrylatings met 20 000 C. peregrinus is een keer per maand gedurende die seisoen gedoen. Die vrygelate C. peregrinus het P. ficus populasies voldoende beheer in die Hex Rivier Vallei. Beheer van P. ficus deur massavrylatings van C. peregrinus was soortgelyk as chemiese beheer in Robertson en Stellenbosch. C. peregrinus is kommersieel beskikbaar en kan om hierdie rede as alternatief tot chemiese beheer gebruik word. Graaddag bepaling is gebruik om die ontwikkeling van P. ficus populasies te voorspel. Hierdie inligting is gebruik as 'n verdere hulpmiddel in die P. ficus plaagbeheermodel. Inligting verkry vanuit P. ficus en mier monitering is gebruik as komponente in die opstel van 'n besluitnemingstabel. Hierdie tabel kan gebruik word deur produsente om beheer van P. ficus plaagpopulasies te optimaliseer deur chemiese beheer of massavrylatings van C. peregrinus.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wind, as a component of the environment, contributes to the viticultural concept of terroir in the South Western Cape region of South Africa. Many other components also contribute to terroir (e.g. soil, altitude, direction of slope, etc.) and it is difficult to quantify the contribution of each. A good terroir promotes slow and complete ripening of the berries. A vineyard on such a terroir produces good quality crops over time and the effects of climatic extremes on the performance of the vine are limited by this terroir. Although grapevines in the South Western Cape are exposed to strong synoptic southerly and southeasterly winds during the growing season and sea breezes add to the effect of wind in coastal areas, little is known about the effect of wind on grapevine performance. This preliminary study was undertaken to obtain more information on the effect of wind on some morphological and reproductive characteristics of Merlot nair. The aim was to obtain preliminary data which can serve as a basis for future studies on the effect of wind on grapevine performance. Important differences .in wind speed were measured spatially in a selected vineyard and exposure to wind was observed to result in essential viticultural differences. The effect of wind on vegetative parameters, canopy density, yield, berry composition and wine quality was investigated. Wind caused leaves on primary shoots of exposed vines to be smaller, but increased lateral growth in their fruiting zones. Sheltered vines had longer shoots but no significant differences were measured concerning cane diameter and pruning mass. Although it was expected that sheltered vines would have denser canopies, similar canopy densities were measured for both treatments. Vines exposed to wind responded with decreased stomatal conductance. As a result, leaf temperature was affected, showing differences between sheltered and exposed vines. Sheltered vines had more bunches per vine but fewer berries per bunch. As a result, bunches of sheltered vines were smaller than those of exposed vines. No significant difference was observed concerning the yield under the two treatments. The effect of wind on stomatal conductance had an essential impact on berry composition, thus directly influencing the quality of wine. Grapes from exposed vines showed a higher colour index. Berries from sheltered vines had significantly lower pH values and potassium concentrations and the malic acid content was lower than in berries from exposed vines. Wine from sheltered vines had more vegetative undertones in comparison with the stronger fruity character of exposed vines. A better acid balance, together with superior complexity (fullness/mouth feel), contributed to the better overall quality identified during the evaluation of wine produced from sheltered vines.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wind as 'n omgewingsfaktor dra by tot die wingerdkundige konsep van terrair in die Suidwes-Kaap streek van Suid-Afrika. Baie ander komponente dra ook by tot terrair (bv. grond, hoogte bo seespieël, rigting van helling, ens.) en dit is moeilik om die bydrae van elk te kwantifiseer. 'n Goeie terrair bevorder stadige en volledige rypwording van die korrels. 'n Wingerd gevestig op so 'n terrair produseer jaarliks hoë kwaliteit oeste met goeie sapsamestellings en die terrair beperk die negatiewe invloed van uiterste klimaatsomstandighede op wingerdprestasie. Alhoewel wingerde in die Suidwes-Kaap gedurende die groeiseisoen aan sterk sinopties suidelike en suid-oostelike winde blootgestel is en seebriese 'n bykomstige effek in kusgebiede het, is daar beperkte kennis oor die effek wat wind op wingerdprestasie het. Hierdie voorlopige studie is onderneem om meer inligting oor die effek van wind op sommige morfologiese en reproduktiewe eienskappe van Merlot noir in te win. Die mikpunt was om verwysingsdata in te samel wat as 'n basis vir toekomstige studies oor die effek van wind op wingerdprestasie kan dien. Belangrike verskille in windspoed is gemeet in die geselekteerde wingerd en waarnemings het getoon dat blootstelling aan wind tot kenmerkende wingerdkundige verskille gelei het. Die effek van wind op vegetatiewe parameters, lowerdigtheid, oesgrootte, druifsamestelling en wynkwaliteit is ondersoek. Wind het kleiner blare op primêre lote van wind-blootgestelde stokke veroorsaak, maar het laterale groei in hul trossones verhoog. Wind-beskermde stokke het langer lote gehad maar geen noemenswaardige verskille is ten opsigte van lootdeursnee en snoeimassa gemeet nie. Die verwagting was dat beskermde stokke digter lower sal hê, maar soortgelyke lowerdigthede is vir beide beskermde en wind-blootgestelde stokke gemeet. Stokke blootgestel aan wind het met 'n verlaagde huidmondjiegeleiding gereageer. Gevolglik is blaartemperatuur beïnvloed, met verskille tussen beskermde en blootgestelde wingerde. Beskermde stokke het meer trosse per stok maar minder korrels per tros gehad. As gevolg hiervan was die trosse van beskermde stokke kleiner as die van blootgestelde wingerde. Geen noemenswaardige verskille in die oesgroottes is tussen die twee behandelings gemeet nie. Die effek van wind op huidmondjiegeleiding het 'n belangrike impak op druifsamestelling gehad en het daarom 'n direkte invloed op wynkwaliteit gehad. Druiwe van blootgestelde stokke het 'n hoër kleurindeks getoon. Die pH en kaliumkonsentrasie van druiwe van beskermde stokke was merkbaar laer en het minder appelsuur gehad as die van die blootgestelde stokke. Die wyn van beskermde stokke het meer vegetatiewe geure gehad in vergelyking met die sterker vrugtige karakter van blootgestelde stokke. 'n Beter suurbalans, tesame met goeie kompleksiteit (volheid/mondgevoel), het egter meegebring dat beskermde stokke 'n beter wyngehalte lewer.

Vineyards in New Zealand suffer bird damage caused by several avian species, including blackbirds and silvereyes. The introduced European Blackbird takes whole grapes which reduces yield. The self-introduced Australasian Silvereye pecks on grapes, leaving them on the vine to be further attacked by fungi and bacteria, and the subsequent off-odours can cause grapes to be refused by the winery or to suffer a price-reduction. Bird control methods remain primitive and largely ineffective during the long ripening period of wine grapes. An ecologically sound method to manage and reduce bird pressure requires deeper understanding of why some birds eat grapes, especially since grapes are not particularly nutritious. This work investigated the extent to which blackbirds and silvereyes are attracted by various compounds in ripening grapes. Since in natural grapes these compounds develop and change simultaneously, I developed an artificial grape in which a single parameter could be investigated. Artificial grapes (and sometimes nectar) were presented on a bird feeder table and the responses of birds to hexose sugars, the aromas 2-3-isobutylmethoxypyrazine and geraniol, tartaric and malic acids, grape tannins, and purple and green colour were recorded on timelapse video and analysed.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In an attempt to reduce the pH of juice and wine, different fertiliser applications and canopy management practices were evaluated in a field trial. Fertiliser treatments consisted of no, CaS04, Ca(OH)2, and MgS04 fertilisation. Canopy management was as follows: suckering (leaving only two shoots per bearer), tipping, vertical shoot positioning and removal of lateral shoots and yellow leaves in the bunch zone (Canopy 1); suckering (leaving three shoots per bearer), vertical shoot positioning as well as topping (Canopy 2); vertical shoot positioning and topping (Canopy 3). The field trial was conducted in the Paardeberg region on the farms Meerlus and Kersfontein. The vineyard at Meerlus was Cabernet franc/R99 with a high canopy density and a good root distribution, established on a sandy loam soil of granite origin, with a low subsoil pH and a high K content. The vineyard at Kersfontein was Cabemet Sauvignon/101-14 Mgt with a lower canopy density and a less extensive root distribution, also established on a sandy loam soil of granite origin, but with a low top- and subsoil pH and a higher K content. Fertilisation had no significant influence on the K content of juice and wine. Fertilisation with Ca and Mg reduced the pH of juice significantly in the case of Meerlus. In contrast, Mg fertilisation increased the pH of juice significantly at Kersfontein. Lastly, fertilisation had no significant effect on the pH of the wine. The K content of the juice at Meerlus was significantly reduced by Canopy 3 in comparison with Canopy 1 and 2. However, in contrast with Canopy 1 and 3, Canopy 2 significantly increased the pH of juice at Meerlus. The K content of the juice at Kersfontein was significantly reduced by Canopy 1, compared to Canopy 2 and 3, with no significant effect on the pH of the juice. Canopy management had no significant effect on wine pH. It appears to be possible to reduce the pH of juice in the case of Cabernet franc/99R, situated on granite soils, by means of Ca and Mg fertilisation. Because Ca(OH)2 and MgS04 fertilisation increased the maturity of Cabernet Sauvignon/101-14 Mgt grapes, it was impossible to evaluate the effect of fertilisation on the pH of juice at Kersfontein. The general phenomenon that a high canopy density results in a high pH of juice and wine, was not observed in this field trial. The possible reasons for this were the low canopy density of the control plots, as well as the difference in maturity between canopy management treatments.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In 'n poging om die pH van sap en wyn te verlaag, is die effek van verskillende bemesting- en lowerbestuursfaktore in 'n veldproef geêvalueer. Bemesting het bestaan uit geen, CaS04, Ca(OH)2 en MgS04 toediennings. Lowerbestuur was: suier tot twee lote per draer, tip, vertikale lootposisionering, verwydering van sylote en geel blare in trossone (Lower 1); suier tot drie lote per draer, top en vertikale lootposisionering (Lower 2); top en vertikale lootposisionering met geen suier nie (Lower 3). Die veldproef is op twee plase nl. Meerlus en Kersfontein, in die Paardeberg omgewing uitgevoer. Die wingerd by Meerlus was Cabernet franc/R99 met 'n hoë lowerdigtheid en goeie wortelverspreiding, wat op 'n sandleemgrond van graniet oorsprong met In lae ondergrond-pH en hoë K-inhoud gevestig is. Die wingerd by Kersfontein het bestaan uit Cabernet Sauvignon/101-14 Mgt met 'n laer lowerdigtheid en swakker wortelverspreiding, wat op In sandleemgrond van graniet oorsprong met In deurgaans lae grond-pH en baie hoë K-inhoud gevestig is. Bemesting het geen betekenisvolle invloed op die K-inhoud van sap en wyn gehad nie. By Meerlus het Ca- en Mg-bemesting egter die pH van sap betekenisvol verlaag. In teenstelling hiermee het Mg-bemesting die sap-ph by Kersfontein betekenisvol verhoog. Bemesting het verder geen betekenisvolle invloed op die pH van wyn gehad nie. Lower 3 het die K-inhoud van sap by Meerlus betekenisvol verlaag in vergelyking met Lower 1 en Lower 2. By Kersfontein was die K-inhoud van sap by Lower 1 betekenisvollaer as by Lower 2 en Lower 3. Teenoor Lower 1 en Lower 3 het Lower 2 'n betekenisvol hoër sap-pH by Meerlus tot gevolg gehad. Lowerbehandelings het egter geen betekenisvolle invloed op die pH van wyn gehad nie. Die moontlikheid bestaan dus om die sap-pH van Cabernet franc/R99 op granietgrond betekenisvol m.b.v. Ca- en Mg-bemesting te verlaag. Aangesien Ca(OH)2- en MgS04- bemesting die rypheidsgraad van Cabernet Sauvignon/101-14 Mgt se druiwe betekenisvol verhoog het, was dit onmoontlik om die effek van bemesting op sap-pH by Kersfontein te evalueer. Die algemene verskynsel dat 'n hoë lowerdigtheid tot hoë pH's in sap en wyn lei, is nie in die proef ondervind nie. Die lae lowerdigtheid van die kontrole persele en die verskil in rypheidsgraad tussen lowerbehandelings kan moontlik as rede hiervoor aangevoer word.

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Capes
Highland regions of Santa Catarina State, Brazil, have been acquiring great importance due to the high potential for wine production from Vitis vinifera L. cultivars, but due to highlands of Santa Catarina State are being in an emergent wine grown region fundamental investigations into vineyard practices are necessary. This work aims to contribute to the generation of data that can direct the management of leaf removal in the vineyards in order to develop a differentiated quality wine, determining times of leaf removal in the varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, and evaluate the its effect on vegetative, productive aspects, enological potential of grape wine quality, and the occurrence of bunch rot. The results of this study show the importance of management of leaf removal grapes wines, demonstrating its benefits in relation to technological and phenolic maturity indices, providing better quality grape, higher productivity and better vegetative balance. And the leaf removal, held between phenological full flowering stage and grain pea resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of bunch rot of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc grown in high altitudes of Santa Catarina. It is evident that the removal leaf vine is indispensable for obtaining a grape of high quality and sanity
As regiões de altitude de Santa Catarina vem despertando interesse de investidores, pela sua característica de elaborar vinhos de elevada qualidade. Porém, por ser uma atividade ainda recente nessas regiões, há uma grande demanda pela geração de informações técnicas adequadas, visto que possui características distintas das demais regiões vitícolas do Brasil. A presente dissertação visa contribuir na geração de informações que possam direcionar o manejo da desfolha nos vinhedos, a fim de elaborar um vinho de qualidade diferenciada, determinando o efeito de diferentes épocas de desfolha nas variedades Cabernet Sauvignon e Sauvignon Blanc sobre aspectos vegetativos, produtivos, potencial enológico da uva, qualidade do vinho, e na ocorrência de podridão cinzenta (Botrytis cinerea Pers) nos cachos. Os resultados deste estudo evidenciam a importância do manejo da desfolha da videira, demonstrando seus beneficios em relação aos índices de maturação tecnológica e fenólica, propiciando melhor qualidade da uva, maior produtividade e melhor equilíbrio vegeto:produtivo. Além disso, a realização de uma desfolha precoce, realizada entre os estádios fenológicos plena florada e grão ervilha resultaram em redução da incidência e severidade de podridão cinzenta (Botrytis cinerea) nos cachos das variedades Cabernet Sauvignon e Sauvignon Blanc cultivadas em elevadas altitudes de Santa Catarina. Evidencia-se que o manejo da desfolha da videira é indispensável para obtenção de uma uva de elevada qualidade e sanidade

Vineyards in New Zealand suffer bird damage caused by several avian species, including blackbirds and silvereyes. The introduced European Blackbird takes whole grapes which reduces yield. The self-introduced Australasian Silvereye pecks on grapes, leaving them on the vine to be further attacked by fungi and bacteria, and the subsequent off-odours can cause grapes to be refused by the winery or to suffer a price-reduction. Bird control methods remain primitive and largely ineffective during the long ripening period of wine grapes. An ecologically sound method to manage and reduce bird pressure requires deeper understanding of why some birds eat grapes, especially since grapes are not particularly nutritious. This work investigated the extent to which blackbirds and silvereyes are attracted by various compounds in ripening grapes. Since in natural grapes these compounds develop and change simultaneously, I developed an artificial grape in which a single parameter could be investigated. Artificial grapes (and sometimes nectar) were presented on a bird feeder table and the responses of birds to hexose sugars, the aromas 2-3-isobutylmethoxypyrazine and geraniol, tartaric and malic acids, grape tannins, and purple and green colour were recorded on timelapse video and analysed.

Este estudo tem por objetivo determinar fatores que interferem na adoção de ações ambientais nos meios de hospedagem da Região Uva e Vinho, como também avaliar as relações que se estabelecem entre os mesmos. A técnica empregada para a coleta de dados nesta pesquisa foi a entrevista estruturada, embasada num roteiro de 16 questões contendo informações referentes à energia, água, a resíduos sólidos, fornecedores, sensibilização dos colaboradores e a adequação ambiental. Para a construção do roteiro de entrevistas, foi utilizada a matriz de classificação do Instituto Brasileiro de Turismo EMBRATUR como ferramenta de apoio a este estudo. Foram feitas entrevistas com 40 sujeitos (gestores de meios de hospedagem). Os resultados demonstraram como os meios de hospedagem adotam ou não ações ambientais e os fatores determinantes para a adoção dessas ações. Foi possível verificar ainda a importância da adoção das 13 ações ambientais da Matriz de Classificação da Embratur para os empreendimentos hoteleiros. Os resultados obtidos apontam para boas práticas para o gerenciamento de energia e separação de resíduos. Práticas ainda escassas estão relacionadas ao uso da água, ao armazenamento de resíduos perigosos, escolha de fornecedores, adequação ambiental e educação ambiental. Os fatores que determinam a adoção de ações ambientais estão relacionados à informação sobre o fenômeno ambiental, sensibilidade em relação às práticas ambientais, formação dos gestores hoteleiros, porte dos empreendimentos, tipo de administração, custo de energia, custo de água, programas ambientais, descaso com a adoção de ações ambientais, ausência de política ambiental, ausência de responsabilidade da empresa e lacunas nos projetos arquitetônicos. Em síntese, para que ações ambientais na hotelaria sejam mais freqüentes, deve haver uma maior sensibilização dos gestores de meios de hospedagem, uma maior divulgação sobre a importância do desenvolvimento de práticas ambientais, uma maior fiscalização por parte dos órgãos ambientais e uma maior análise das questões ambientais nos cursos de hotelaria e turismo.
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The following paper seeks to pinpoint the factors which interfere with the adoption of environmental actions within the hotel network in the Region of Vineyards and Wineries, RS, Brazil, as well as to evaluate the relations among them.In order to collect the data we have resorted to structured interviews,based on an inquiry with 16 questions encompassing issues such as electricity, water (supply), solid residues, suppliers, the sensitizing of supporters and environmental adequacy. We also used the classification of the Brazilian Institute of Tourism – EMBRATUR to guide our interviews. A total of 40 people were interviewed, i.e., hotel managers.The results have shown in which ways those hotels adopt (or not) environmental actions and which factors were determining for the adoption of such.We were able to verify the meaningfulness of the adoption by hotels of 13 environmental actions from the EMBRATUR classifying matrix.The results unveil good practices of energy management and the sorting of residues.Some rare practices still linger concerning water use, storage of hazardous materials, choice of suppliers, environmental adequacy and education.The factors which determine the adoption of environmentally friendly actions are closely related to the information regarding the environmental phenomenon, sensitivity towards environmental practices, formation (education) of hotel managers, size of enterprises, kinds of management, energy costs, water supplying costs, environmental programs, negligence to adopt environmental actions, lack of environmental policies,lack of responsability by hotel businesses and gaps in architectural projects. In short, for environmental issues in hotel management to become a reality, there must be greater sensitizing of their managers, greater diffusion of the importance of developing environmental practices, greater surveillance by environmental authorities and deeper analysis of environmental questions throughout hotel and tourism courses´ curricula.

碩士
國立屏東科技大學
農園生產系所
104
Vitis vinifera L. × Vitis labruscana Bailey cv. Kyoho is a widely cultivated and important economical grape cultivar in Taiwan. Cover crop in the vineyard can improve soil physical properties, maintain soil temperature and humidity, reduce herbicide using, and creat a pleasing environment. In the realm of recreational agriculture it also increase the value of tourism. The purpose of this study were to investigate the effects of covered turfs under vineyard on soil elements, vine and fruit production and turf qualities. Five cover treatments included Bare ground (CK), Natural Grass (NG), Tropical Carpetgrass (Axonopus compressus), Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) and Manilagrass (Zoysia matrella) turfs were established. The test results showed that: soil nutrient contents of CK 4 and 8 weeks after treatment was higher than other turfs, but the relative humidity and organic matter of soil were the lowest. Meanwhile in Manilagrass turf, the soil nutrient content (P, Ca, Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe) was less than other treatments. After 28 to 36 weeks, CK had the lowest soil elements N, K , Mg, Mn and Fe. However, an increasing soil nutrient contents in Tropical Carpetgrass, and Manilagrass turfs were observed (Tropical Carpetgrass: N, P, Ca, Zn and Cu. Manilagrass: N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn). Soil organic matter and soil pH of CK treatment were the lowest 28 weeks after treatment. The influence of the turf cover on grape production and fruit qualities showed that: vine branch length of NG was significant lowest (123.38 cm) than others, after 8 weeks of treatment in winter but did not affect on leaf number and cluster length. In summer, the branch length of Seashore paspalum turf was the shortest but was not significant different from others (120.67 cm). Seashore paspalum turf also caused the lowest cluster weight and berry number in winter fruit (280.83 g and 33.76). There were no significant differences on fruit color and berry compositins among all turf treatments. The management of vineyard requires regularly farm machine operations. It might easily cause damage on turf. Therefore, selecting good wear tolerance of turf is important. The experiment used farm machine (300 Kg) to simulate traffic on three kinds of turfs. Four wear frequency treatments (CK, 1/2, 1/4, 1/6 days) were used in the test. The results showed: NDVI turf color, leaf length, plant height and turf density showed significant differences amoung these turfs. With the increasing frequency of wear treatment, significant reduction on turf quality can be observed. Turf color and leaf length were significant lowest at frequency 1/2 in both season, average 5.53 and 6.88 cm, respectively. Oppositely, CK had the highest performance (average 6.03 and 8.22 cm). 1/2 days wear treatment at Manilagrass turf had the highest shoot injury percrntage (average 42.5%),yet. Seashore paspalum and Tropical Carpetgrass were 37.7% and 32.4%. The slowest recuperative potential(71.17%) was found in Manilagrass turf by 1/2 dasys treatment after 7 days of recovery. Based on the above results, Bare ground treatment had more nutrient contents of soil than other treatments in early experiment, but decreased in later period. It displayed that covered turf can provide more nutrients in vineyard soil. In long term, however there was a competition between cover turfs and vine growth, especially Manilagrass and Seashore paspalum species. These two turfs reduced soil nutrients and branch length of grape vine, but did no affect on grape properties. The landscape was enhanced by these three turfs, but the Tropical Carpetgrass displayed the best quality and highest recuperative potential in the wear experiment. Therefore, it is recommended to apply Tropical Carpetgrass as cover turf under vineyard.