Influence of hydropedology on viticulture and oenology of Sangiovese vine in the Chianti area (Central Italy)

Abstract

Abstract. The adoption of precision agriculture in viticulture requires the knowledge of the spatial and temporal variability of available soil water. A three-years trial was carried out in Chianti (central Italy) on Sangiovese vine to test the prediction capacity of selected hydropedological models for two soil series cultivated with grape and for delineating hydrological functional units within two vineyards. The soils of the vineyards differentiated in structure, porosity and related hydropedological characteristics, as well as in salinity. Soils were mapped with a geophysical survey and six plots were selected in different morphological positions: summit, backslope and footslope. Water content, redox processes and temperature were monitored, and yield, phenological phases, and chemical analysis of grapes were determined. The isotopic ratio δ13C was measured in the wine ethanol upon harvesting to evaluate the degree of water stress suffered by vines. The grapes in each plot were collected for wine making in small barrels. The wines obtained were analysed and submitted to a blind organoleptic testing. The results demonstrated that the tested hydropedological models can be used for the prevision of the moisture status of soils cultivated with grape during summertime in Mediterranean climate. As foreseen by the models, the amount of mean daily transpirable soil water differed considerably between the vineyards and increased significantly along the three positions on slope in both vineyards and in every year, even during the very dry 2006. However, both the response of Sangiovese to water stress and the quality of wine were influenced by the interaction between transpirable water and salinity. The installation of IRIS tubes allowed confirmation of the occurrence of redox processes, although discoloration was influenced more by soil temperature, rather than by moisture. The map produced by once only geophysical survey mirrored only partially the seasonal hydropedology of these heavily tilled soils on slope.

Soil Water Availability in Rainfed Cultivation Affects More than Cultivar Some Nutraceutical Components and the Sensory Profile of Virgin Olive Oil

“…The trial was carried out in central Italy at Cinciano, in the territory of the municipality of Poggibonsi (province of Siena, Chianti Classico DOP Olive oil zone) during the years 2002 and 2003. The benchmark experimental site was chosen after a soil survey of the whole province of Siena and is representative of the most widespread and suited soils for olive tree cultivation in the area . Two rainfed olive groves were selected, which were homogeneous in age (about 20 years), plant density (6 × 6 m), permanent grass cover, and agricultural husbandry.…”