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Intensively managed viticulture dominates vast landscapes in the Mediterranean, but considerable vineyard abandonment has been observed over the past two decades. The effect of vineyard abandonment on biodiversity is poorly understood, making it difficult to assess the restoration potential of this common land-use change. We assessed biodiversity responses to vineyard abandonment in Vaucluse, Southern France, using birds as indicator group. We compared bird abundance and diversity in a sample of 64 vineyards, pairing 16 currently managed vineyards with 16 recently abandoned and 16 managed with 16 longer abandoned vineyards. We used mixed models and multivariate techniques to establish relationships between bird diversity and structural attributes of the habitats, and we derived management-specific population densities in a distance sampling approach. Long-abandoned vineyards hosted three times more species and showed a 3.6 times higher total bird abundance than managed viticulture. More recently abandoned vineyards had intermediate species numbers and abundance. Species richness patterns were not modulated by landscape composition and configuration, but higher abundances were found in landscapes with intermediate size of land-cover patches (i.e. field size). In managed vineyards, bird abundances were extremely low, with the exception of Woodlark Lullula arborea , which reached its highest abundance in managed vineyards. The bird community on abandoned vineyards shifted towards forest and woodland shrub species, likely driven by secondary succession, namely shrub encroachment and tree establishment. The strongly positive effects of land abandonment might be due to the fact that only single vineyards (not entire landscapes) were abandoned, thereby increasing habitat heterogeneity at the landscape scale. The future state of the old abandoned vineyards is difficult to predict. As of yet, the abandoned vineyards support a comparably diverse community of breeding birds that reach high abundances in comparison to managed vineyards, within an otherwise impoverished agricultural landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in sustainable and ecologic agricultural practices in grapevine has grown significantly in recent years in the context of ecological transition. Organic mulches are alternative practices influencing soil moisture, erosion, structure and weed control. However, their effects on the soil and must microbiota remain unknown. Understanding the relationship between vineyard management and microbiota may help to choose the optimal practices, reducing environmental impact and improving wine quality. We aimed to evaluate the effects of five soil management practices on soil and must bacterial communities along three consecutive years in two vineyards of La Rioja, Spain using a metataxonomic approach. Two conventional practices (Herbicide use and Under-row Tillage) were compared with three organic mulches applied on the vine row (Grapevine Pruning Debris, Spent Mushrooms Compost and Straw). The main factors shaping the soil bacterial community were year followed by location. The treatment effect on soil microbiota was weak and could only be found when analyzing each year and location individually. In particular, the bacterial communities of the conventional practices clustered in all years and locations. However, organic mulches were only grouped in the third year of study at both locations. Besides, the practices did not affect the must bacterial communities and were driven by year and location. These results show that the practices have a weak effect compared to year or location and that their impact is detected in the soil but not in the must. Therefore, organic mulches could be a sustainable viticulture alternative and should use it in the long term. • The organic mulches affect soil bacterial communities in the vineyard. • Year and location are the main factors shaping soil and must bacterial communities. • Soil bacteria microbiota does not influence the winemaking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global warming, the focus of research in grape ecology has shifted towards the role of vineyards as carbon sinks and their capacity for soil carbon sequestration. Given their economic and ecological significance, plantation vineyards play a crucial role in assessing carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems. Vineyards characterized by concentrated and continuous cultivation exhibit notable CO 2 sequestration capacity, along with vital ecosystem service functions. The vineyard ecosystem effectively captured and stored substantial amounts of carbon within grapevines and soil, with soil microorganisms being pivotal for the formation, alteration, and fixation of soil organic carbon. To explore the carbon sequestration value of vineyards, this study systematically reviewed carbon flux and storage in vineyards, as well as both plant- and microbial-derived inputs of soil organic carbon. The sequestration mechanism of soil organic carbon, regulated by the soil microbial carbon pump was comprehensively examined. This included a focused exploration of the processes governing the formation and accumulation of soil microbial organic carbon, and the contribution of soil microbial necromass carbon to soil organic carbon. Additionally, the protective mechanisms of the mineral, aggregate, and biological sequestration of soil organic carbon were elucidated. This study provides a theoretical reference for advancing our understanding of soil organic carbon sequestration in vineyard ecosystems. Furthermore, this study offers insights into potential avenues for future research and practical applications in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroecosystems play an important role in carbon sequestration and water consumption of global terrestrial ecosystems. However, the magnitude, pattern, and regulation of the ratio of transpiration to evapotranspiration (T /ET), and also water use efficiency at ecosystem (WUE e) and canopy (WUE c) scales, remain unclear in agroecosystems in arid areas. In this study, a six-year synchronous observation of water-carbon fluxes and sap flow by the eddy covariance and sap flow techniques was conducted in an irrigated vineyard in northwest China. We found that T /ET, WUE e , and WUE c changed dynamically at the daily (1.0–98.6%, 0.3–4.9 g C kg–1 H 2 O, 0.4–5.9 g C kg–1 H 2 O) and monthly (26.0–71.0%, 0.8–1.8 g C kg–1 H 2 O, 2.3–3.2 g C kg–1 H 2 O) scales. At the annual scale, the range was relatively narrow, with mean values of 61.7% ± 3.7%, 1.5 ± 0.1 g C kg–1 H 2 O, and 2.4 ± 0.3 g C kg–1 H 2 O, respectively (mean ± standard deviation). Biological and environmental factors regulated their dynamics on different temporal scales. Specifically, leaf area index (LAI) and canopy conductance (g c) mainly determined the seasonal variation of T /ET, WUE e , and WUE c at the daily and monthly scales. However, at the annual scale, vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and air temperature (T a) became the main influencing factors. These results highlight the complexity of water-carbon coupling in agroecosystems and the necessity of considering specific factors at different temporal scales when modeling and managing agricultural water resources. In addition, there is still great water-saving potential from the perspective of WUE in the cultivation of vines in Northwest China. • Sap flow and water-carbon fluxes are measured synchronously for 6 years in an oasis agroecosystem. • The ratio of transpiration to evapotranspiration (T /ET) is 61.7% ± 3.7% during growing season. • Water use efficiency (WUE) at the ecosystem scale is 1.6 times than that of the canopy. • Gas exchange metric and WUE explain 73.7% of the multi-dimensional space variation of plant traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and medium-sized farms struggle with increased needs for monitoring in different dimensions, even by having to respond to regulatory requirements, e.g., by the global push to reduce pesticides and to improve soil health. Moreover, with the rising needs for food production there has been an effort to shift agriculture into a new era, in which the sector needs to be modernized by using new digital technologies. The goal of our research work is to provide farmers with a reliable "digital twin", i.e., a monitoring ecosystem that allows them to visualize multi-sensor data collected from their fields, but also to "plug in" predictive models, e.g., for plant disease prediction. The paper presents an extensible solution, designed in co-creation with stakeholders, that can use a wide range of "sensors", ranging from free satellite images, low-cost off-the-shelf sensors, to even novel technologies, such as odour sensors. The TWINSOR concept is introduced, but also a first prototype applied to the vineyard is described as a first result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides remain the most efficient way to control pest and disease pressure in vineyards and obtain satisfactory yields in terms of quality and quantity. However, because of the harmful effects of pesticides on human health and the environment, winegrowers have had to change their practices. To reduce pesticide use, winegrowers have a range of levers at their disposal that are implemented at different spatial and temporal scales and with different intensities of change. Beyond simply reducing pesticide use, these changes can also impact farms' economic and social performances notably because vine is a perennial crop with inertia in the impacts of changes operated. In this work, we assessed the covariation between various performances with time. We used the Agrosyst database, which compiles data on the performances of French vineyard cropping systems engaged in a pesticide reduction process for the past 10 years, implementing a reduction of 34%. Based on existing knowledge on transition processes and pesticide reduction in vineyards, we used partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) to assess the dynamic trade-offs between different performances during the pesticide use reduction process. We verified the model we built (GoF = 0.44) and found no significant correlation between pesticide reduction, economic performances (operating costs and fuel consumption), technical performance (mechanical work time) or productivity (yield). Interestingly, we did not observe any effect from reducing fungicides on yield. We only noticed a significant correlation between the initial weed control strategy and the change in weed control strategy (β = 0.18). Furthermore, stopping herbicide use did not affect mechanical work time or costs. Our results are encouraging in terms of maintaining both agronomic and economic performances when reducing pesticides in vineyards. ● Trade-offs in 161 French vineyards were studied over a 10-year pesticide reduction. ● The constructed PLS-PM model was successfully verified. ● Pesticide use reduction were not related to economic, technical, and productivity. ● Reduction in both fungicide and herbicide had no relations to yield evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vineyards in hilly areas are often prone to erosion because of poor soil development, low soil organic matter (SOM) contents, and severe slopes. Permanent grassing, besides providing protection against erosion, can foster the soil resistance to degradation by increasing SOM that, in turn, favours the formation and limits the turnover of stable aggregates by promoting interactions between SOM and soil minerals. Although a soil's capacity to physically protect SOM is known to depend on management practices, soil properties may interact causing the soil response to vary even at relatively low spatial scales, thereby warranting site-specific sustainable soil management. The objective of this study was to evaluate how differences in soil properties within the same vineyard may modulate the effects of management practices on aggregate formation, stability as well as SOM dynamics. We exploited the spatial differences in soil types and properties in an experimental vineyard by sampling topsoil samples (0–5 cm) with contrasting texture and pH to include a non-calcareous clay loam from an Alfisol (pH 6.8, 18.6 g kg−1 organic C, 28% clay) and a calcareous loam from an Entisol (pH 8.0, 14.8 g kg−1 organic C, 14% clay), both managed for 3 years under permanent grass vs. autumn tillage. Four aggregate size fractions were separated by dry sieving, and characterized for their organic C content and distribution between functional pools by density fractionation, and their resistance to breakdown and organic C loss during wet sieving. Soil type affected aggregate formation and stability with a greater abundance of larger aggregates richer in SOM in the clay loam with respect to the calcareous loam. Tillage enhanced aggregate breakdown and SOM loss, but the effects were highly dependent on the intrinsic soil properties that drive the different mechanisms of aggregate formation and stabilization. The largest macroaggregates were most susceptible to disruption and organic C release by tillage, but a soil-dependent effect was observed as those in the calcareous Entisol were more vulnerable than those in the Alfisol topsoil, particularly due to rapid losses resulting from slaking, swelling and dispersion. Although the aggregates in fine-textured topsoil may be relatively less vulnerable to tillage, the higher proportion of organic C in the larger macroaggregates may make them nonetheless prone to significant organic C loss (in the form of POM (particulate OM) or SOM-rich fine aggregates) unless appropriate management is adopted. Therefore, special attention should be given to the spatial variability in soil properties when planning vineyard management to reduce soil degradation. • Effect of vineyard tillage vs. grassing was investigated. • Inter-vineyard soil variability was included in the study. • Clay-loam soil: higher MWD, more stable aggregates but high potential OC loss. • Calcareaous loam soil: greater structure vulnerability to tillage. • Soil-specific management is needed to prevent soil degradation in vineyards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional small-sized vineyards are especially sensitive to different impacts, including the arrival of new pests. The adults of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina), an invasive alien species present in the Iberian Peninsula since 2010, feed on sugary foods, causing crop losses in vineyards. However, present management techniques for the control of V. velutina are limited, and they do not provide effective control in agricultural settings. This work aims to evaluate the use of an exclusion system in a traditional non-mechanized vineyard of a highly invaded area by V. velutina in NW Spain (Protected Geographical Indication of Betanzos, Galicia) as a method to mitigate the damage caused by hornets. Anti-hail nets were used in a factorial design experiment with groups of netted and unnetted vines of two white wine cultivars in order to address the vineyard production loss. In particular, we aim to 1) asses the effectiveness of anti-hail netting on preventing grape yield loss, 2) assess the impact of anti-hail netting on grape ripening and incidence of bunch fungal infection, and 3) study the potential relationship between the damage caused by V. velutina and grape fungal diseases. Results show that the tested exclusion system increases the crop yield, since it prevents effectively both the damage caused by hornets and birds. No significant correlation between the damage caused by V. velutina and the incidence of bunch fungal diseases was found in either cultivar. However, netting increased slightly the final sugar content in one of the cultivars, as well as the incidence of bunch fungal damage. We discuss the management implications of this exclusion method within the framework of agricultural land abandonment and the loss of traditional landscapes. • The invasive hornet Vespa velutina can notably reduce crop yield of small vineyards. • Anti-hail netting prevents grape yield losses by hornets and birds. • Netting might alter grape ripening and the bunch fungal diseases of some cultivars. • Economic costs and mechanization needs might reduce acceptance of netting. • Vineyard abandonment is a potential outcome of V. velutina invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Field experiments are conducted in a vineyard to estimate soil properties. • Three soil conditions are considered: soft soil, firm soil, and wet saturated soil. • Resistance coefficient and sinkage are evaluated by FEM for different wheel sizes. • The results are analyzed through response surfaces. In this study a 2D FEM model was developed to analyze ruts formation, rolling resistance, and power loss for a grape transporting cart aimed to replace the use of heavy tractors while harvesting grape. The model was supported by experiments in a vineyard in South Italy. Cone penetration tests were conducted to estimate frictional and cohesive properties in three soil conditions: firm, soft, and wet saturated. A tractor pulled test rig for a single wheel was developed to measure rolling resistance and sinkage, and complete the selection of the soil parameters. Completed the model, the analysis was conducted for a range of different wheel dimensions, and the outputs analyzed through response surfaces. The results showed the different impacts that width and diameter have on ruts formation and rolling resistance for different soil conditions. Wider wheels determined a main reduction of the sinkage, while the width contribution to the rolling resistance was affected by the total soil volume deformed. Larger diameters led to lower rolling resistance, with a higher impact on more deformable soils. Contact stress was compared with the thresholds recommended in the literature to determine the acceptable designs. This analysis represents a tool to select the running gear dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The influence path and degree of environmental factors on energy partitioning at different time scales were studied by SEM. • LE was the main consumption item of daytime energy during the growing seasons, even during the shooting and leaf-fall stages. • The influence of arid advection on energy partitioning is obvious during growing seasons, especially at the fruiting stages. • Advection induced by irrigation can be weakened properly by choosing a reasonable irrigation time. In this study, a two-year experiment in an irrigated vineyard was conducted to investigate the variations in energy fluxes (net radiation, R n ; latent heat flux, LE; sensible heat flux, H ; and soil heat flux, G) and quantify the influence of arid advection and environmental factors (vapor pressure deficit (VPD), R n , air temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and volumetric soil water content) on energy partitioning in arid Northwest China. For the diurnal variation, the peak values of the energy fluxes appeared at approximately 14:00, except for G (which appeared at approximately 16:00). LE was the main consumer of daytime (R n >0) energy during the growing season (average LE/(R n – G) was 87% and 89% in the two years), even during the shooting and leaf-fall stages. Arid advection, which affects energy partitioning mainly by increasing atmospheric evaporative demand and providing heat energy, contributed 6–60% and 1–56% of the average daytime LE during the two growing seasons, especially at the fruiting stage. Moreover, advection accounted for more than half of average daytime energy imbalances. We found that the arid advection induced by irrigation could be attenuated by selecting a reasonable irrigation time. According to the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, R n had the strongest direct and positive regulation effect on LE at the half-hourly and daily scales, indicating that LE was limited by energy rather than water in the study area. The influence of R n on LE gradually weakened with an increase in the time scale, whereas the effect of VPD increased, which may have been due to the smaller time-lag effect between VPD and LE. The diurnal variations in LE at approximately 08:00–19:30 and 19:30–08:00 were mainly controlled by the direct positive effects of R n and VPD, respectively. The results obtained in this study will provide a better understanding of surface processes and help improve water resource management in arid agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For simulation-intensive studies of aerial crop disease transport such as source term estimation, fast and accurate physics models are required. In crops planted in rows with sparse aisles like vineyards and other trellised crops (so-called "row-organized canopies" or ROCs), the impact of the vegetation structure on the flow limits the validity of the simplest models (i.e., Gaussian plumes). The present work introduces a model for the Reynolds stresses near an ROC, which is implemented in QES (Quick Environmental Simulation), a suite of fast-response modeling tools that includes a GPU-accelerated mass-consistent 3D wind solver, an eddy viscosity-based turbulence module, and a Lagrangian dispersion model. Additionally, a novel leaf deposition model based on improved turbulent flow parameterizations is implemented and evaluated. The ROC turbulence model is evaluated against sonic anemometer data from a vineyard. The overall QES-ROC dispersion model is then compared against a series of particle release experiments performed in the same vineyard. The new turbulence model captures the shape and general behavior of the shear stresses as the forcing wind direction changes, and accurately represents anisotropy in the normal stresses. Both traditional paired-in-space metrics and more detailed measures of 3D plume shape are used in the plume comparison. Modeled plumes spread wider in row-perpendicular winds than in row-parallel winds, as is seen in the experimental plumes, and veer appropriately in the direction of the row during row-diagonal winds due to mean wind channeling. Vertical spread in the QES model appears to be insufficient, and possible explanations are explored. • A mixing-length turbulence model is introduced for row-organized canopies (ROCs). • It was implemented in QES, a 3D fast-response tool with coupled physics modules. • The QES-ROC model was validated against vineyard plume release experiments. • Plumes change realistically with wind angle, with channeling in row-oblique winds. • Applications include source term estimation and plant disease epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manuscript reports on a study conducted on a youth mental health intervention, proposing a novel framework to look at the therapeutic potential of viticultural landscapes. Drawing on care studies applied to agricultural contexts, the work explores how the attention-based practice of manual grape harvest in a specific natural and social environment can produce a "therapeutic landscape of the mind". Through ethnographic research, we investigate how the spatial and social context of the viticultural environment influences the experience of a group of young people with mental-ill health, eventually supporting their process of recovery. Findings describe how the lived experience of caring for the vines while interacting with professional winegrowers in a one-to-one relationship allows participants to explore new territories of the self. It is argued that this powerful experience is not only beneficial as it unfolds, but also at a later time. Its therapeutic potential resides in the fact that the "landscape of the mind" can be recalled by the person, while positive identities associated with it and newly discovered "ways of being" can be re-enacted. The paper furthers the reflection on place-making practices of public health services and the way they can support the identification and cultivation of enabling places, particularly for vulnerable populations (e.g. young people) that can benefit from interventions conducted in non-medical, non-stigmatizing environments. The work is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration between a psychiatrist (designing and coordinating the intervention) and a sociologist (designing and conducting the ethnographic study). • The viticultural environment can be cultivated as a therapeutic landscape. • Mental health services are crucial actors in the identification of enabling places. • Unmedicalized places reduce cultural barriers to service access for young people. • One-to-one practical activities foster recovery by normalizing sociality. • Qualitative methods provide detail-rich data on the therapeutic power of places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • C, N and water footprint, soil C, and microbial diversity were used to compare the sustainability of 3 vineyard farming managements. • The combined Sustainability index (SI) was higher for the organic than for the integrated management. • Mineral fertilization and pesticides were the main cause for the lower sustainability of the integrated management. • Microbial biodiversity was similar where the grass cover was the major source of organic input (integrated and organic 2). • Organic farming treated with manure fertilizer (ORG1) had the highest level of biodiversity. Sustainable agricultural practices are increasingly becoming a strategic asset for global and national environmental policies and economy. A big challenge is the selection of appropriate indicators to describe the complexity of the agroecosystem management. In the present work, the sustainability of grape production, in vineyard trials of Pinot blanc and Rhine Riesling, managed with integrated (INT) and organic management (organic, with cattle manure ORG1 and organic with green manure ORG2), was compared using a multi-indicator approach. The experiment was set in 2011 (1.5 ha in Trento, Italy) and carbon footprint (CF), nitrogen footprint (NF), water footprint (WF), soil microbial diversity (alpha diversity of bacteria, fungi, oomycetes communities) and soil C stock change, were evaluated in 2018. The CF was 0.213—0.227 kg CO 2 -eq/kg in the INT, 0.144—0.168 kg CO 2 -eq/kg in ORG1 and 0.134—0.147 kg CO 2 -eq/kg in ORG2. The NF was around 1 g Nr/kg for the INT, 0.4 g Nr/kg for ORG1 and 0.5 g Nr/kg for ORG2. The WF, excluding the pesticides impact on grey water, was 666—708 L/kg for INT, 605—655 L/kg for ORG1 and 529—580 L/kg for ORG2. The impact of farming practices on soil microbial alpha diversity showed no significant difference among treatments for oomycetes and significantly higher indexes for fungi and bacteria in the ORG1, with INT and ORG2, being similar. No difference in bulk organic C were observed among treatments. Overall, the multi-indicator approach allowed to demonstrate that the organic management was more beneficial for most of the environmental spheres of the agroecosystem compared to integrated management, without affecting the grape yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive uses of agrochemicals and soil amendments often cause the elevation of Cu and Zn concentrations in vineyard (VY) and orchard soils. The concentration and speciation of Cu and Zn in the soils at millimeter resolution is critical to understanding the risk of transport of these metals via surface runoff and infiltration. The objective of this study was to investigate the concentration and chemical species of Zn and Cu in VY and persimmon (PS) soils at millimeter vertical resolution. The soils were collected with 5 mm increments down to 5 cm depth and with 5 cm increments down to 25 cm depth. The total concentration and chemical species of Zn and Cu were determined by total digestion and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, respectively. The Zn concentration of VY soil reached a maximum of 290 mg kg−1 at the uppermost layer of the profile (0.5–1.0 cm). The Cu concentration of VY soil reached a maximum of 201 mg kg−1 (10–15 cm). These Zn and Cu concentrations were greater than background levels. Zinc K-edge XAFS spectroscopy determined that the uppermost layer of VY soil (0–0.5 cm) contained 42% Zn associated with humus and lesser extent of Zn associated with gibbsite (37%) and kaolinite (21%). Zinc associated with humus was not observed in the VY soil profiles below 0.5 cm, whereas Zn associated with gibbsite and kaolinite contributed >83% of total Zn species. Copper K-edge XAFS spectroscopy determined the presence of Cu bonded with humus (40–67%) and Cu adsorbed on kaolinite (26–45%) in the entire soil profile. Our study found the remarkable variation of Cu and Zn concentration and speciation within several centimeters from the soil surface in vineyard and orchard landscapes. Unlabelled Image • Zn and Cu in vineyard soils were little investigated at millimeter vertical resolution. • Zn accumulated in the uppermost soil layer (0–5 mm) • The maximum Cu concentration was found around 5–10 cm depths. • Zn associated with humus was predominant only in the uppermost soil (0–5 mm). • Cu associated with humus was predominant throughout the soil profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the status of energy consumption and environmental impacts in the raisin production using life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Required data were collected from 50 grape producers in Dena county and raisin production workshop in Yasuj county through questionnaire and face-to-face interview. The energy equivalent of inputs and outputs was obtained using related specific energy coefficients and environmental indices including abiotic depletion (AD), acidification (AC), eutrophication (EUP), global warming (GW), ozone layer depletion (OLD), human toxicity (HT), fresh water aquatic ecotoxicity (FE), marine aquatic ecotoxicity (ME), terrestrial ecotoxicity (TE) and photochemical oxidation (PO) were compared in vineyard, processing workshop, packaging and transportation phases using Simapro software and CML2 baseline 2000 modeling approach. Results showed that based on the production of 500 g packaged raisin, total input energy for vineyard and processing workshop was calculated as 8.70 and 32.7 MJ and energy ratio was 3.38 and 0.7, respectively. The contribution of electricity energy input in vineyard and grape energy input in processing factory to the related total energy were calculated as 28% and 90%, respectively. Results obtained from the analysis of environmental indices showed that the GW index is 4.258 kg CO 2 eq per production of 500 g packaged raisin, which inputs production and consumption in vineyard had a contribution of 95% to GW index. In other indices, emissions related to the vineyard was higher than three other stages. Farmyard manure (FYM), machines and adhesive tape in factory sector were indicated as major contributor to pollutant emissions in vineyard, processing and packaging, respectively. • The total input energy for vineyard and processing plant was calculated as 8.70 and 32.7 MJ. • The contribution of electricity energy was calculated as 28% of energy input total. • FYM was indicated as major contributor to emissions in vineyard sector. • Machines were indicated as major contributor to emissions in processing plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable agricultural and food processing practices are often proposed as attractive strategies enabling food systems to respond to the challenges posed by climate change in terms of adaptation and mitigation. However, information on the actual contribution to climate change provided by sustainable food production systems is lacking in literature. With the intention to contribute to a more informed debate, this study aims at quantify the actual impact on climate of sustainable practices applied to a grape-to-wine system in Italy. The overall budget of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes is assessed at wine farm level, from the vineyard to the final bottle of wine, through an integration of methods, including the eddy covariance technique, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and the IPCC guidelines. All the components of the GHG budget have been considered: the (a) biogenic GHG fluxes and the (b) anthropogenic GHG emissions generated for the grape production as well as the (c) carbon stock change due to the vineyard management and the (d) anthropogenic GHG emissions generated by the transformation of grape into wine. At the vineyard level, the overall GHG budget resulted to be close to zero, showing a potential carbon neutrality of sustainable viticulture: the sum of biogenic GHG fluxes (a) and the carbon stock change (c) resulted in a net carbon sink with a potential contribution to climate change mitigation of −0,27 ± 1,11 Mg CO 2 eq year−1 per hectare; while the anthropogenic GHG emissions (b) for the sustainable vineyard management accounted for 0,24 ± 0,05 Mg CO 2 eq ha−1 year−1. The total carbon footprint (b + d) of sustainable wine is 0,79 ± 0,14 kg CO 2 eq per bottle, with 15% attributable to the agricultural phase and 85% to the transformation of grape into wine. These findings indicate that sustainable wine production has in general a lower contribution to climate change. In particular, sustainable practices applied to viticulture can turn the system into a net carbon sink able to totally compensate the anthropogenic emissions for the vineyard management. Therefore, sustainable viticulture allows food production with a potential carbon neutrality without exacerbating climate change. • Sustainable viticulture allows food production with a potential carbon neutrality without exacerbating climate change. • Sustainable viticulture generates biogenic GHG fluxes that turn the agrosystem into a net carbon sink. • Anthropogenic GHG emissions in sustainable vineyard are low and can be totally compensate by the net carbon sink. • The carbon footprint (CF) of sustainable wine is 0,79 ± 0,14 kg CO 2 eq per bottle. • Sustainable wine production has in general a lower contribution to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bird damage to commercial crops is a significant problem across the globe, especially for high value crops like wine grapes. Various bird control methods have been developed in the past to reduce bird damage. After a brief review of the current bird damage control strategies, we found the most effective methods, such as netting and hiring a human scarer, rely on intensive manual labour, as well as fragile and costly infrastructure. Whereas the cheaper methods, such as using alarm calls and predator models, are effective for no more than two weeks before the birds habituate to them. We are proposing a novel Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, more commonly referred to as drone) system incorporating bird psychology for efficient bird damage control. The UAV is equipped with a loud speaker broadcasting distress calls, as well as a crow taxidermy installed on the undercarriage that appears as captured prey. This special UAV configuration is designed to engage birds' well-established abilities to learn to recognise and avoid novel predators, thus providing the benefit that a long-term fear response towards the UAV can be expected. The initial trials were carried out in vineyards around south-eastern Australia. Results indicated the UAV can deter large pest birds such as ravens and cockatoos in a 50-m radius centred on the UAV for an extended period of time. The UAV can also effectively deter small pest birds such as silvereyes for brief time periods after exposure to the UAV. It is also evident from the results that while one UAV is sufficient to protect vineyards smaller than 25 ha, multiple UAVs are needed to protect a large vineyard effectively. • UAV incorporating bird psychology is an effective short-term bird deterring strategy. • The minimum radius of influence of the UAV is 50 m. • Effect of UAV on Silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) lasts at least 15 min. • A single UAV can protect one vineyard up to 25 ha. • Multiple UAVs are necessary for vineyards larger than 25 ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We conducted acoustic surveys to assess bat activity and species richness in vineyards of central Chile. • Landscape composition and heterogeneity influence bat activity and diversity in vineyards. • Bat diversity and species richness increased with a greater percentage of native vegetation land cover. • Bat activity was higher in vineyards surrounded by more diverse cover types. • Increasing landscape heterogeneity and retaining native forest remnants around vineyards may benefit bat conservation. Abstract Landscape composition and heterogeneity are considered important factors for enhancing biodiversity and their associated ecosystem services in human-modified landscapes. Despite their roles in pest suppression in agricultural areas, insectivorous bats have been poorly represented in studies assessing the effects of landscape structural changes, particularly in the Neotropics. We evaluated how the composition and heterogeneity of the landscape, at several spatial scales, influenced the diversity and activity of aerial insectivorous bats in organic vineyards. Bat activity was quantified using acoustic surveys at 16 vineyards distributed across the central zone of Chile, where landscape composition and heterogeneity were determined by spatial analysis (GIS). Data were analyzed using partial least square regressions (PLS). The diversity and activity of aerial insectivorous bats in vineyards increased with the compositional and configurational heterogeneity of the landscape. Bat diversity and species richness in vineyards increased as the area covered by native vegetation increased, and urban areas decreased. Total bat activity, feeding activity and the activity of the dominant species T. brasiliensis increased with the diversity of cover types in the landscape, and also as the area covered by annual crops and rural areas increased. This study highlights the importance of agricultural landscape composition and heterogeneity for aerial insectivorous bats in organic vineyards. Effective conservation efforts and management strategies in this crop should aim to increase cover diversification at the landscape scale. In addition, retaining native forest remnants around or within vineyards may promote bat conservation and their role as suppressors of crop pests in these production landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • DOSAVIÑA is a newly developed DSS giving optimal volume rates/PPP doses in vineyards. • A modified leaf wall area method integrates canopy density/width and sprayer type. • Accurate volume rates from the DSS allow good coverage and uniformity over the canopy. • DSS achieves 20% drop in volume rate and pesticide use while reducing contamination. • DOSAVIÑA is available for IOS and Android; a web version is also available. Abstract DOSAVIÑA is a new tool (website and app for smartphones) developed for calculating the optimal volume rates and pesticide doses to apply during spray application processes in vineyards. DOSAVIÑA also calculates and recommends the optimal working parameters for working pressure, forward speed, and number and types of nozzles. DOSAVIÑA was developed by the Unit of Agricultural Machinery at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, and is available for iOS and Android devices. It is also available on the DOSAVIÑA website (https://dosavina.upc.edu). The developed tool can be used also for the calibration of spray applications on fruit trees (as well as on citrus orchards, olive trees, almond trees, and many other vertical crops) once the volume rate has been established. The system, which is based on a modified version of the leaf wall area (LWA) method, calculates the optimal volume rate for vineyards by considering the effects of leaf density, canopy width, and sprayer type. System testing took biological efficacy into consideration and measured the main factors used for characterizing spray processes, coverage, and distribution over the entire canopy. Results showed that water and pesticide use could be reduced by more than 20% while still meeting economic, environmental, and food quality requirements. The design of the tool is aligned with European requirements concerning pesticide use, as established in the European Directive for a Sustainable Use of Pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tissue temperature rather than ambient air temperature determines the rate of the processes that affect plant growth and development at molecular and cellular scales. Therefore, the use of air temperature to represent the temperature at which these processes occur within a plant organ implies a critical, yet poorly tested, assumption for most eco-physiological studies. The goal of this study was to determine whether the temperature of the tissues of field-grown grapevines differs significantly from the air temperature measured at a standard weather station. Thermocouples and infrared thermometers were used to measure the temperature of xylem at different heights in the west and east sides of the trunk of the vines, compound buds, and leaf surface in a vineyard between 2015 and 2017. The temperature of these tissues was compared with the air temperature measured at a standard weather station located at a distance of 410 m from the vineyard. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were determined between the temperature series. The significance and magnitude of the differences depended on the time of day and season of the year. In general, the tissue temperatures measured during the day were significantly higher than the air temperature recorded at the same time, and this difference was more than 2 °C in several cases. During the night, the tissue temperature was lower than the air temperature, but the difference was not greater than 2 °C. The higher thermal amplitude in the tissues due to these differences could explain some site- and time-specific patterns observed by viticulturists, such as the deacclimation or loss of cold hardiness during the day at higher than expected rates based on air temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Inconsistent yield between seasons for table grape cultivars grown in subtropical climates in Australia presents a challenge to the industry in terms of marketing and economic sustainability. The pattern of this yield inconsistency has not been described. Marketable fruit yields of three cultivars (Red Globe (RG), Menindee Seedless (MS) and Flame Seedless (FS)) were acquired over 14 seasons, and individual vine yields of MS were collected for a four-season period from a vineyard in the Central Highlands of Queensland, Australia. Cultivars FS and RG did not show an alternate bearing pattern. Yields of MS varied up to four-fold in consecutive seasons. An alternate yielding pattern as measured by the indicators of an alternate bearing index (I) and associated probability calculated using a resampling process was evident in 7 (2009–2015) of the 14 monitored seasons. Individual vine yield over the four-season period 2014–2017 was irregular and 90% variation in vine yields was due to the variation in the number of bunches per vine. The seasonal yield variation of MS was partly explained (R2 = 0.31, P < 0.05) by the mean monthly temperature in October of the year preceding harvest. This result is ascribed to the effect of high temperature during inflorescence initiation and early development which occurs in October in the Central Highlands of Queensland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Grass cover plays an important role in vineyard C budget. • Role of herbaceous vegetation in vineyard C budget is crucial during vine dormancy. • Soil cultivation impacts the C budget reducing grass sward area and its CO2 uptake. • Grass cover dries down in summer, decreasing the competition with vines for water. • Inter-row vegetation can considerably enhance the C sink potential of woody crops. Abstract The environmental sustainability of viticulture can be enhanced with the application of conservative management practices (e.g. resident vegetation or cover crop on the inter-row), which can lead to an increase of soil carbon (C) sequestration. However, studies disentangling the vineyard C budget are still very scarce. In this context, comparing vineyard net ecosystem CO 2 exchange (NEE) with soil fluxes is especially useful. From January 2015 to August 2016, we continuously monitored vineyard NEE with the eddy covariance method and ground CO 2 fluxes with an automated chamber system in a commercial vineyard in North Eastern Italy. At the site, inter-rows are covered with resident herbaceous vegetation, however, due to low soil permeability, soil cultivation (ripping or tillage) was performed on alternate alleys in autumn and, sometimes, spring in order to improve water infiltration. Measured annual soil respiration was comparable, but lower, to values estimated by previous studies in vineyards and the net uptake of the grass cover laid in the middle of yearly C budget range reported in the literature for grasslands. At the end of the measurement period, the vineyard ecosystem showed to be a net sink of CO 2 , absorbing around −233 gC m−2. However, the C sequestration could have been much greater if no soil cultivation had been applied. Indeed, the ground compartment was a source of CO 2 , but without inter-row cultivation it could have been a net sink, with an overall vineyard C budget of about −421 gC m−2. This confirms that grass cover of the inter-rows can play an important role in the C budget of woody crops. Additionally, the pattern of C fluxes reveals that the activity of herbaceous vegetation in summer decreased well before vines, thus reducing water competition during dry periods. These results provide important information for the tuning of management practices aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of viticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Esca is a destructive fungal disease affecting grapevines worldwide. In the Esca complex, grapevine leaf stripe disease (GLSD) designates specifically the disease that causes the typical leaf symptoms on infected vines. Understanding foliage alterations produced by GLSD may help to identify potential markers of tolerance to this disease. In this work, changes related to physiological parameters, photosynthetic pigments and phenolic compounds were evaluated. Moreover, the expression of 10 genes was tracked determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. For this, symptomatic and asymptomatic vines from three different Tempranillo vineyards were evaluated. Vineyards differed in climate classification and water resources. Botryosphaeriaceae species and Esca causal agents (Phaeomoniella chlamydospora , Phaeoacremonium spp. and Fomitiporia mediterranea) were isolated and identified from symptomatic vines. Under water restriction, a significant decrease on the physiological activity of symptomatic vines was observed. Also, symptomatic leaves showed lower content on chlorophylls and carotenoids and some alterations on their phenolic profiles. GLSD symptoms induced the expression of defense-related genes, especially PR6 , STS and Chit 1b. This research provides valuable information regarding physiological, chemical and molecular changes in Esca affected leaves of Tempranillo grown in vineyards related to the climate conditions. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The photosynthetic pigments were reduced in Esca infected Tempranillo vines. • Changes on the phenolic composition of Tempranillo leaves were induced in response to Esca infection. • Esca Tempranillo vines overexpress defense-related genes, encoding chitinases, stilbenic phytoalexins and PR proteins. • The disturbance of physiological activity due to Esca was intensified under drought condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Analysis of 74 vineyards showed substantial variation in canopy cover and estimated evapotranspiration. • Modelled vineyard water loss was typically 25% when irrigated to match maximum vine evapotranspiration. • Modelled water loss was reduced to less than 10% when irrigated to match block mean canopy cover with only a 5% loss in potential yield. • Gains in water use efficiency can be made by improving canopy cover uniformity or dividing blocks into smaller irrigation management units. Abstract Irrigation methods commonly aim to match water supply to water requirement so that production outcomes are optimised. Grapevine water requirement estimates can be improved by adjusting crop coefficients for canopy cover (CC). Analysis of aerial images of 74 vineyard blocks revealed substantial ranges in CC between and within blocks. Within block variation compromises the ability to match water supply to water requirement at the sub-block scale. Water losses (W L) and yield penalties (Y P) were modelled under two irrigation scenarios based on relationships between CC, water use and yield. These irrigation strategies aimed to match mean water use or maximum water use of grapevines within each block. While W L and Y P are driven by CC variability, W L and Y P were affected by CC and the irrigation strategy. Predicted W L under irrigation to match maximum ET c were typically 25% of water supply, whereas irrigating to match mean ET c reduced W L to less than 10% of water supply. Irrigating to match mean ET c penalised the grower, on average, 5% of potential yield. The model used in this study provides a basis for assessing impacts of CC variability in vineyards and evaluating options for improving water use efficiency at the block and sub-block scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover cropping is widely used for soil management in vineyards. But few studies have compared the effect of different cover cropping management methods on soil properties and fungal communities in vineyards. Therefore, we examined the effects of traditional management (shallow tillage to remove weeds), cover with single species (two treatments covered with different herbages), cover with mixed species (two combination treatments named M1 and M2 respectively), and cover with a crop on soil physicochemical properties and fungal community structure in a vineyard in northern China in 2020 and 2021. Soil total carbon and mineral nitrogen increased under Carex lanceolata Boott, Medicago sativa L., M1, and M2 covers but decreased under Glycine max (L.) Merr. Compare to traditional management. Soil organic carbon content increased under Carex lanceolata Boott, Medicago sativa L., M1, and M2, with increasing planting time. Cover cropping management had a minor effect on fungal diversity in the short term. Effects on beneficial and pathogenic fungi varied with cover type. With a cover of Glycine max (L.) Merr, the abundance of Fusarium brachygibbosum , a pathogen that affects grape production, increased, but that of Chaetomium , a genus that inhibits pathogens, also increased. With a cover of Carex lanceolata Boott, the abundance of Didymella glomerata , another pathogen that affects grape production, increased, but that of Metarhizium , an entomopathogenic fungus, also increased. Compared with Carex lanceolata Boott, covers with mixed species (M1 and M2) showed minor effects on soil pathogens, so covers with mixed species could benefit the vineyards more than other cover cropping management in North China. • Cover cropping management can improve soil carbon and nitrogen in vineyard. • Cover cropping management has impacts on grape productivity-related fungi. • SOC is the major drivers of fungal diversity and Didymella glomerata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inefficient use of fertilizers in agriculture is a major issue in global food production as it hampers economic viability of farms and offers great risk of environmental pollution. Fertilizing recommendations are guided by plant nutritional assessments, which are compared to reference values so that decisions can be made regarding which nutrient and how much is to be supplied. Traditionally, these values are obtained by field trials that are particularly long and expensive for perennial crops such as grapevines. This research evaluated the use of boundary line (BL) approach and Bayesian segmented quantile regression (BSQR) in determining reference values for nutrients in vineyard soils using commercial farm data. Critical levels (CL) and sufficiency ranges (SR) of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B) and manganese (Mn) were estimated using datasets from a winery in the Campanha Gaúcha region, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Results indicated lower P and higher K, S, Zn and Mn levels, as compared to current state recommendations. Great inconsistencies were found in CL estimates for Cu and, to a lesser extend, Ca and Mg. Model assessments indicated that BSQR estimates were highly sensitive to quantile selection but poorly affected by changes in the prior. Data simulated using fitted models were consistently over-dispersed. Allowing for variable slopes and intercepts may partition data variability more properly, leading to better fit, higher parameter precision and greater accuracy of estimates. Despite current limitations, the BSQR model provides a flexible framework for BL analysis, enabling the use of commercial datasets in establishing reference values to support group- and site-specific recommendations, a valuable contribution to increase efficiency and sustainability of grapevine fertilization. • Bayesian segmented quantile regression is effective in generating boundary lines. • Adjusted soil nutrient reference values can be obtained from commercial data. • Critical level and sufficiency range estimates are sensitive to quantile selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter decomposition is a key ecosystem process which is dependent on the litter characteristics and diversity, the decomposer community and activity, and the environmental conditions. We assessed vine leaf decomposition by Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804), a terrestrial isopod widely distributed and naturally present in vineyards. We compared the decomposition of three grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon) with regular laboratory food (Tilia tomentosa (Moench, 1785)) for seven consecutive weeks. Seven traits were measured on the four litters tested in order to define their importance concerning (i) litter mass loss by the action of microorganisms and isopods (ii) the trophic traits (consumption and assimilation) and (iii) life-history traits (survival and growth) of A. vulgare. Thus, the chemical and physical traits (C/N ratio, tannin and fiber content, thickness) known to influence litter palatability and digestibility for decomposers were determined by standardized methods. In addition, the copper frequently used in viticulture as a fungicide which is potentially responsible for toxic effects on decomposers was measured by ICP-OES after litter mineralization in nitric acid. Our results showed a higher percentage of decomposability by microorganisms in litter with low cellulose content and C/N ratio. Higher isopod consumption and assimilation was found in the litters which is the poorest in tannin, lignin and copper contents. Variation of consumption according to litter was on average 1.5 to 2.7 lower for grape varieties compared to T. tomentosa litter. Assimilation was significantly lower with Pinot Noir than the other litters. To conclude, after seven weeks of experimentation, this study showed that if the growth and survival of woodlice were not affected by inter-varietal differences in vine leaf quality, their role in the decomposition process may be strongly modulated and reduced, especially after consumption of grape variety litters rich in copper, lignin and tannin. • Feeding preferences of Armadillidium vulgare to vine leaves were tested. • Litter quality was estimating by trait-approach. • Consumption and assimilation rates of woodlice depend on grape varieties. • Tannin, lignin and copper contents in litter modulated consumption and assimilation. • No effect of vine litter consumption was found on life-history traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term use of vineyards and their renewal causes numerous chemical changes in the bioavailable copper, zinc levels, carbon and microbial properties of the soil. However, there is still a gap in relation to the impacts of vineyard renewal on the bioavailability of Cu and Zn and on the microbial structure of the soil. Thus, the purpose was to evaluate the bioavailability of Cu and Zn, activity, richness and microbial diversity of the soil of renewed vineyards in southern Brazil. Three treatments were established: old cultivation, i.e., a well-established vineyard; renewed vineyard; and reference, a native forest located adjacent to the vineyards. The physical-chemical properties clay level, moisture, pH, organic matter (OM), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) level; the basal respiration (BR), microbial biomass Carbon (MBC), microbial biomass Nitrogen (MBN), hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate (FDA), microbial quotient (qMic), and metabolic quotient (qCO2); and microbial richness and Shannon diversity were determined. The organic C level influenced the microbial activity and richness. The change in microbial diversity indexes impacted soil biological activity in two locations. Vineyard renewal promotes the reduction of Cu (− 48.8%) and zinc (− 20%) bioavailability and increases microbial diversity in subtropical soils in southern Brazil. • Vineyard renewal promotes the reduction of copper (− 48.8%) and zinc (− 20%). • Renewed vineyard increase the shannon index of the soil microbiota. • The vineyard increases the levels of copper (+ 5080%) and zinc (+ 230%) in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ground LiDAR- and aerial photogrammetry-derived parameters presented differences. • Height 90th percentile, as a smoothed parameter, presented smaller differences. • A balance needs to be found as each system presents opposed pros and cons. • Terrestrial LiDAR-based systems allow smaller areas to be scanned more accurately. • UAV photogrammetry allows larger areas to be monitored with less detail. Characterizing crop canopies is especially important in the management of woody crops. In this article, two systems were compared to characterise a 50 m long vineyard row section. One of the systems was a mobile terrestrial laser scanner based on a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor (MTLS-LiDAR). The other was an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) based system using digital aerial photogrammetry (UAV-DAP). The resulting 3D point clouds were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Canopy heights, widths and volumes were obtained in 0.1 m long sections along the studied row. All the parameters derived from the two systems presented statistically significant differences. The coefficients of determination between systems were 0.619 for canopy maximum heights above ground level (agl), 0.686 for 90th percentile (P90) heights agl, and 0.283 and 0.274 for maximum and P90 vegetated heights, respectively. Coefficients of determination between averaged maximum canopy width and P90 canopy width were 0.328 and 0.317, respectively. Coefficients of determination between cross-sectional areas determined from maximum widths, P90 widths and from the occupancy grid method were 0.423, 0.409 and 0.334, respectively. Total canopy volume for the entire row obtained from the three cross section estimation methods differed between 19 m3 and 25 m3. The reasons found were that the MTLS-LiDAR-derived point cloud captured the canopy top and side variability but could be affected by occlusions, mixed pixels and tall grass-like weeds present in the surveyed area. For its part, the UAV-DAP-derived point cloud tended to miss top and side shoots and somewhat smoothed canopy variability. As neither of the systems is optimal, a balance needs to be found according to the specific requirements of the survey. For this purpose, a list of pros and cons is presented to support the selection of one of the two systems for canopy monitoring. The MTLS-LiDAR system should be chosen when high detail is required but small areas are to be scanned. Alternatively, the UAV-DAP system should be chosen when large areas are to be monitored and when canopy detail is not so important. Further results are presented in Part 2 for a larger area and including pear and peach orchards with different training systems. Future research is to be conducted on how the compared systems affect variability detection and support variable-rate prescriptions.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Parameters from ground LiDAR and UAV photogrammetry were highly correlated. • The correlations were higher when analysing larger row sections. • The values of the parameters extracted with the ground LiDAR were always higher. • Differences between point clouds were affected by the crop training system. • Specificities of each system make them best suited for different applications. The measurement of geometric canopy parameters in woody crops is an important task in Precision Agriculture because of their correlation with crop condition and productivity. In recent years, several technological approaches have been developed as an alternative to manual measurements, which are time- and labour-consuming. Two of the most commonly used 3D canopy characterization technologies are mobile terrestrial laser scanning (MTLS) based on light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, and digital aerial photogrammetry (DAP) using imagery from uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Although both are state-of-the-art and have been fully tested and validated, a complete comparison between their geometric canopy parameter estimations in different woody crops and training systems has not been carried out. For this reason, a set of geometric parameters (canopy height, projected area, and volume) of a vineyard, an intensive peach orchard, and an intensive pear orchard were measured using UAV-DAP and MTLS-LiDAR. A comparison between both kinds of measurements was performed, accounting for the length of the sections in which the crop hedgerows were divided to extract the geometric parameters. Measurements from the UAV and the MTLS were highly correlated (R2 from 0.82 to 0.94) when considering the data from the three crops together, and the correlations were higher when analysing longer row sections. The canopy geometric parameters estimated using the MTLS-LiDAR always had higher values than those from the UAV-DAP. The results presented in this work provide useful data for a more informed selection of technological approaches for 3D crop characterization in Precision Fruticulture and high-throughput phenotyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Field and landscape parameters are important to enhance wild bees in vineyards. • Forage availability and alternating tillage positively affect wild bees at the field scale. • The proportion of villages and woods increase wild bee diversity and abundance. Abstract Vineyard inter-rows can provide habitats for a range of plant and animal species especially when covered with vegetation. However, frequent tillage results in the degradation of habitat quality and the provision of biodiversity-based ecosystem services. Wild bees are important pollinators of crops and wild plants and depend on both, floral resources and suitable nesting sites, which are influenced by the landscape configuration. We examined effects of field and landscape parameters on wild bee species’ richness, abundance and functional traits in Austrian vineyards over two years using Generalised Linear Mixed models, Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Random Forests. Alternating tillage was compared with no tillage in two inter-rows per vineyard. Forage availability in these inter-rows was estimated by flower coverage at each sampling date, and landscape features were analysed within a radius of 750 m around the vineyards. Across all vineyards we found 84 wild bee species with a mean abundance (±SD) of 29 (±16.6). Forage availability had the strongest positive effect on wild bee diversity and abundance. In comparison to no tillage, alternating tillage slightly increased wild bee diversity and abundance. Eusocial wild bees were more abundant in untilled inter-rows, whereas solitary wild bees were more closely associated with alternating tilled vineyards. At the landscape scale, the percentage of artificial areas (mostly villages) and distance to semi-natural elements raised wild bee diversity and abundance. The proportion of woodland increased the abundance of wild bees, in particular of eusocial taxa. Solitary wild bee abundance was enhanced by the number of solitary trees. Pollination provided by wild bees in viticultural areas can be enhanced by maintaining a diversity of different soil management strategies to improve forage availability in vineyards. Furthermore, semi-natural elements such as fallows or solitary trees providing floral resources and nesting habitat should be preserved within viticultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) are glycoproteins abundantly produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in roots and soil. They can be a significant component of soil organic matter, which effectively acts to bind mineral particles together, so improving soil structure. Although it is known that high temperatures and tillage both have a negative impact on GRSP, there is no study aimed at comparing and contrasting the effects of fire and enduring cultivation on GRSP content in contiguous areas undergoing the two forms of soil disturbance. We studied such a situation in Kurdistan, Iran, where the top 5 cm of soil was sampled in i ) an unmanaged and unburned oak sparse forest, both inside and outside sprout clumps, ii ) a vineyard, both under and outside the canopy, and iii ) a burned portion of the forest in between. In the latter, the samples were collected from areas burned with high and moderate severity inside sprout clumps, and areas burned with low severity outside sprout clumps. All soil samples were air-dried and sieved to obtain four aggregate size fractions (8–2, 2–1, 1–0.25, and <0.25 mm in diameter). Total organic carbon (TOC), easily extractable glomalin (EEG) and residual glomalin (RG) were determined in all fractions. Both TOC and GRSP were significantly lower in the cultivated soil than in the unburned forest. Fire did not change the content of TOC, although GRSP increased with increasing fire severity. The relative amount of small aggregates was higher in the burned and cultivated soils, likely because of the breakdown of macroaggregates by heating and tillage, respectively. TOC, EEG, and RG generally increased in concentration with decreasing aggregate size. The linear regression analysis revealed significant relations between GRSP and TOC in all studied treatments; however, the GRSP/TOC ratio was significantly higher in the soil burned with the highest severity and in the vineyard compared to the unburned soil . Overall, this study demonstrated that GRSP in soil is significantly affected by both severe fire and cultivation, and suggests that total amount of GRSP and GRSP distribution between the aggregate size fractions might be two reliable indicators of these types of perturbations of the soil environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For irrigated vineyards, accurate estimates of the sensible heat flux from the soil surface ( H s ) is essential for determining the contribution of soil evaporation (E) to evapotranspiration (ET) using thermal-based energy balance approaches. A key to an accurate estimate of H s is a robust physically-based soil resistance formulation. Here we compare the performance of two soil resistance formulations: a conventional resistance model ( r K N ) derived from field and laboratory studies which has been extensively implemented in the thermal-based Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB) model, and a recently developed physically-based soil resistance formulation ( r H O ) that explicitly accounts for near-surface interactions affecting scalar fluxes at the soil surface in the presence of bluff-body roughness elements. Estimates of H s using the two resistance formulations were evaluated using in-situ observations from a drip-irrigated vineyard in the arid central Negev Highlands of Israel. The results indicate that the soil resistance model r H O outperforms the r K N formulation using standard model coefficients and provides robust estimates of H s independent of model calibration or parameter tuning. This offers an opportunity to advance the utility of TSEB model when applied to sparsely vegetated areas where ground-based calibration data are not available for adjusting coefficients in the r K N formulation, and potentially improves its practical applications to heterogeneous landscapes by obviating its reliance on semi-empirical coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation modelling applied to grapevine is a promising tool to unravel the tight interactions between agricultural management and pedo-climatic conditions, and their impact on yield variability. This is an urgent need in current conditions, and in light of climate change, which is expected to deeply affect the performances of vine cropping systems. Here we present a BioMA software component (UNIFI.GrapeML), which is a model library of grapevine physiological processes. We used it to develop a new grapevine model considering the impact of soil water availability on yield, selecting a Spanish vineyard as case study (Chardonnay variety). We inspected its behavior with sensitivity analysis techniques, selecting the most relevant parameters to calibrate for matching reference data. The accuracy in reproducing phenology (average Pearson r ¯  = 0.57), soil water content ( r ¯  = 0.70) and yield ( r = 0.59) proved its capability to respond to weather variability, and the efficiency of BioMA software architecture in developing agricultural models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural systems are exposed to and influenced by particles of many types (e.g., pathogens, pollen, pests), the concentrations of which are typically highest in the regions immediately surrounding their sources. The intermittent nature of trellised canopies creates an unique canopy architecture that directly affects the shape of particulate plumes and tends to alter their transport patterns in the near-source region. To investigate the behavior of particle plumes near their sources in a trellised canopy, a set of particle release experiments was conducted during a field campaign in an Oregon vineyard in 2013. Specifically, plumes of inert fluorescent microspheres (10–45 μm diameter) were released into the canopy during periods when the mean wind direction was significantly different from the vine-row direction. Plume concentrations were collected at over 100 separate locations in a three-dimensional space <10 canopy heights downwind of the source during each release period. These plumes were more complex than those released during periods of row-aligned winds. A novel analysis approach using the superposition of two orthogonal Gaussian plume equations was developed to quantitatively assess the behavior of the plumes’ shape and its dependence on wind direction and magnitude and on particle release height. Basic plume shape parameters, as determined by integrating the superposed Gaussian equation, varied significantly as a function of the mean wind direction. As the wind direction changed from roughly row-diagonal to directly row-normal, the rate at which the spanwise plume width increased with downwind distance increased by a factor of two. Similarly, the rate at which the plume height increased with downwind distance was higher for row-perpendicular plumes than for row-diagonal plumes. Row-diagonal plumes exhibited a much higher spanwise skewness than did the row-normal plumes, but for all plumes the skewnesses tended towards zero (symmetric) with increasing downwind distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization is a major threat to agricultural lands. Among salt-affected lands, coastal areas could be considered as highly complex systems, where salinization degradation due to anthropogenic pressure and climate-induced changes could significantly alter system functioning. For such complex systems, conceptual models can be used as evaluation tools in a preliminary step to identify the main evolutionary processes responsible for soil and water salinization. This study aimed to propose a conceptual model for water fluxes in a coastal area affected by salinity, which can help to identify the relationships between agricultural landscape evolution and actual salinity. First, we conducted field investigations from 2012 to 2016, mainly based on both soil (EC 1/5 ) and water (EC w ) electrical conductivity survey. This allowed us to characterize spatial structures for EC 1/5 and EC w and to identify the river as a preponderant factor in land salinization. Subsequently, we proposed and used a conceptual model for water fluxes and conducted a time analysis (1962–2012) for three of its main constitutive elements, namely climate, river, and land systems. When integrated within the conceptual model framework, it appeared that the evolution of all constitutive elements since 1962 was responsible for the disruption of system equilibrium, favoring overall salt accumulation in the soil root zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for simulating the air flow produced by an air-assisted sprayer can be developed according to any one of several sets of criteria and for various specific applications. Thus far, most CFD models have focused on the characterization of the air flow generated by the sprayer. However, such models may not be the best when assessing the effectiveness of air-assisted sprayers adapted to crop geometry, such as those used in vineyards. In this study, the air flow produced by an air-assisted sprayer adapted to the geometry of a vineyard was simulated using four CFD models: Model 1 was designed to simulate air velocity measurements at the outlets; Model 2 was designed to simulate air velocity measurements at a certain distance from the outlets; Model 3 was dedicated to the modelling of the internal geometry of the air ducts rather than the characterization of the air flows generated by the sprayer; and Model 4, which was developed as a variant of Model 3, was created to perform the same calculation in several stages. The models were validated with actual measurements of the air velocity near the sprayer outlets. The results showed that although Models 1 and 2 (both of which have been used in most existing studies) simplified the calculation, they are impractical for simulating different air flows. By contrast, Models 3 and 4 provided complex meshes that complicate the convergence of the calculation and require a suitable treatment of both the viscosity and the flow near the walls. Model 3 showed the smallest error (16%) in the air velocity estimated in the treatment plane. Model 4 showed potential for future implementation of the dispersed phase and crop-air interaction because it mitigated the problems arising from the complexity of the meshes. It should also be noted that there are errors inherent to the implementation of the CFD model, errors related to inaccuracies in the geometry of the air ducts, inaccuracies related to the measurement of the air velocities, inaccuracies in the quantification of the air flow, and simplifications linked to the turbulent model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the sustainability of an agroforestry system: i.e. a system obtained by the union of two productions to get at least two by-products from the same productive space. In particular, this case study presents the integration of a goose raising system with an organic grape production, from an environmental point of view. This integration is mainly designed to have two simultaneous co-products (grape and goose meat) with: i) a less intensive use of machineries for weeding and ii) avoiding use of chemical fertilizers and weeding. The sustainability is assessed by means of emergy evaluation. Emergy is a thermodynamic based tool able to estimates the environmental cost of products and services in terms of the solar energy (directly and indirectly) required for its production. As Emergy is not a state function, its final value depends on the way the product is made. The set theory applied to the emergy evaluation enables the comparison between the integrated system and the originating isolated systems in a proper way. Results confirm that the integrated system enables a saving, in emergy terms, amounting to 33% compared to the two originating isolated production systems. Emergy evaluation is able to keep track of the lower amount of resources required from outside the agroforestry system due to the optimization of resources internally available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topsoil water content (TSWC) varies at spatial and temporal scales owing to the influence of several factors. In woody crops, few studies have analysed these dynamics under rainfed conditions. The temporal stability of the spatial patterns of TSWC in a Mediterranean rainfed sub-catchment (27 ha; Spain) was analysed during 12 months. Cropland includes four vineyards with cover crops, five cereal fields (fallow/crop rotation), one olive grove under conventional tillage, and one abandoned olive grove. In total, nine land use compartments were distinguished in twelve fields and nine non-cultivated soils. During the test period (May 2016–April 2017) the monthly TSWC values (mean 13.1% vol. ±8.0) showed a significant correlation with evapotranspiration. The spatial variability of TSWC increased under dry conditions and more homogeneous patterns appeared in the wet surveys. The vineyards’ inter-rows had the wettest (62% > in the rows) conditions owing to the cover crops and their high soil-water holding capacity, and average temporal stability. The vineyards’ rows were dry and very stable due to the tillage practices (higher elevation) and the low infiltration rates; and the corridors had wet and stable conditions. The forest presented the driest and stable temporal conditions associated to the water demand by the trees. Soil in the fallow cereal fields was drier and more stable than in the cereal fields. The abandoned olive grove showed wetter though less stable conditions than the olive grove. The trails had wet but not stable conditions. The different land uses and tillage practices influenced more the TSWC dynamics than the spatial variability of the analysed soil physical properties. However, silty loam and loamy soils presented wetter and more stable conditions than the average values, and the sandy loam and loamy sand soils had drier and less stable conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional management of Mediterranean vineyards strongly contributes to land degradation. In Portugal, the use of integrated production has been encouraged by governmental subsidies because it is assumed to be a farm management system that protects the environment and favours agriculture sustainability. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of minimum tillage and regulated fertilization practices, driven by integrated production, on runoff and associated sediment and nutrient exports (total phosphorous – TP, total nitrogen – TN and nitrates – NO 3 ). A vineyard in the Bairrada wine region was instrumented with six runoff plots (80–122 m 2 ). Plots were monitored on a weekly to bi-weekly basis (depending on the rainfall pattern), over two hydrological years (from October 2012 to September 2014). Results indicated that annual runoff coefficients ranged from 10% to 20%, sediment losses from 1.1 to 29.0 Mg ha −1  yr −1 , TP exports from 0.4 to 6.5 kg ha −1  yr −1 , TN exports from 0.2 to 20.0 kg ha −1  yr −1 and NO 3 exports from 0.1 to 0.8 kg ha −1  yr −1 . These results highlight the susceptibility of vineyards to land degradation and their role as a diffuse source of pollution. Rainfall strongly influenced runoff as well as sediment and nutrient concentrations, leading to relevant inter-annual and seasonal differences. Over the study period, about 60% of runoff and >85% of sediments and nutrients exported by runoff were recorded during winter. Management practices, namely inter-row tillage deeply influenced sediment exports, whereas fertilization, had a strong effect on nitrate exports. Although integrated production lead to lower runoff and nutrient exports than conventional viticulture, additional measures are needed to effectively prevent soil erosion and nutrient losses in Mediterranean vineyards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vineyards incur the highest soil and water losses among all Mediterranean agricultural fields. The state-of-the-art shows that soil erosion in vineyards has been primarily surveyed with topographical methods, soil erosion plots and rainfall simulations, but these techniques do not typically assess temporal changes in soil erosion. When vines are planted they are about 30 cm high × 1 cm diameter without leaves, the root system varies from 2 to over 40 cm depth, and sometimes the lack of care used during transplanting can result in a field with highly erodible bare soils. This means that the time since vine plantation plays a key role in soil erosion rates, but very little attention has been paid to this by the scientific community. Thus, the main goal of this research was to estimate soil losses and assess soil erosion processes in two paired vineyard plantations of different ages. To achieve this goal, the improved stock unearthing method (ISUM) was applied to vineyards on colluvial parent materials with similar soil properties, topographical characteristics and land managements in the Les Alcusses Valley, southwestern Valencia province, Spain. Our findings suggested that the old vineyards showed lower erosion rates (− 1.61 Mg ha − 1 yr − 1 ) than those that were recently planted (− 8.16 Mg ha − 1 yr − 1 ). This is because of the damage that the plantation of the vines causes to soil. Tillage after planting (4 times per year) resulted in changes in the inter-row and row morphology, promoting the development of a ridge underneath the vines that disconnected the inter-rows and reduced soil losses with time. After the second year and until the 25th year after plantation, soil erosion was approximately 1 Mg ha − 1 y − 1 , which means that most of the erosion took place during the first two years after the plantation. Soil conservation strategies should be applied immediately after the plantation works to allow sustainable grape production. That is when soil erosion most needs to be controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a method to estimate leaf water content from reflectance in four commercial vineyard varieties by estimating the local maxima of a distance correlation function. First, it applies four different functional regression models to the data and compares the models to test the viability of estimating water content from reflectance. It then applies our methodology to select a small number of wavelengths (optimum wavelengths) from the continuous spectrum, which simplifies the regression problem. Finally, it compares the results to those obtained by means of two different methods: a nonparametric kernel smoothing for variable selection in functional data and a wavelet-based weighted LASSO functional linear regression. Our approach proved to have some advantages over these two testing approaches, mainly in terms of the computing time and the lack of assumption of an underlying model. Finally, the paper concludes that estimating water content from a few wavelengths is almost equivalent to doing so using larger wavelength intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of partitioning evapotranspiration ( ET ) components and figuring out the main factors controlling ET partitioning was addressed over four seasons in a furrow-irrigated vineyard located in northeast China. Based on the directly measured vineyard ET and its components (soil evaporation E and plant transpiration T ) using eddy covariance, microlysimeters and sap flow sensors, respectively, dynamics and controlling factors of ET partitioning and dual crop coefficients were studied. The seasonal cumulative ET was 399, 398 and 392 mm, where E was 185, 245 and 224 mm, T was 173, 167 and 158 mm, and E + T was 358, 412 and 382 mm, in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Seasonal average E represented about 52–59% of E + T and T about 41–48% of E + T . Seasonal ET partitioning was mainly controlled by surface soil water content ( SWC ) and leaf area index ( LAI ). Previous studies have found T / ET was correlated to LAI using regression functions. In this study a more biophysically robust model to estimate ET partitioning from LAI and SWC is proposed, based on dual crop coefficient theory. The evaluation of the proposed model indicated that 46% of the vineyard ET partitioning was explained. Soil evaporation coefficients ( K e ) were closely correlated to SWC and peaked after rain and irrigation (even exceeding 1.0), and basal crop coefficients ( K cb ) were mainly correlated to LAI . The average K cb was 0.12, 0.31, 0.40, 0.42, 0.31 and 0.18 from May to October, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Castilla-La Mancha region (Spain) there are more than 500,000 ha of vineyards. The soils in the area of maximum culture intensity of wine grapes have a medium to high content in calcium carbonate. In these areas, the appearance of chlorosis symptoms is usually related to iron deficiency, but this is not the only element that is involved in these nutritional problems. Data from 110 soil profiles selected from Castilla-La Mancha region were taken following the procedure described in FAO-ISRIS-ISS. X-ray fluorescence was used to measure both soil and leaf concentrations of mineral elements. From the data obtained, the mean contents of topsoils (A and B horizons) in Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn were studied and compared with leaf contents in these elements. The data were geo-referenciated and displayed in spatial distribution maps. Concentration in soil of the considered elements were: 108.0 ± 28.8 g kg −1 for Ca; 22.1 ± 1.4 g kg −1 for Fe; 380.0 ± 740.0 mg kg −1 for Mn and 32.6 ± 14.0 mg kg −1 for Zn. Leaf concentration measured for the same elements were: 24.4 ± 49.4 g kg −1 for Ca; 440.0 ± 742.0 mg kg −1 for Fe; 130.0 ± 136.0 mg kg −1 for Mn and 20.3 ± 12.9 mg kg −1 for Zn. As average, Zn levels are more critical than Fe levels in soil and leaves for plant nutrition. Critical concentrations in micronutrients should be considered in order to explain and prevent symptoms of deficiency that could decrease the quantity and quality of wine grapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to predict the changes in vine phenology of some white grape varieties when rainfed vineyards are subjected to climate change. The research was conducted in the north east of Spain, in an area with a Mediterranean climate. Temperature and precipitation changes under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios – RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 – were simulated based on an ensemble of models. Water losses by runoff were predicted using the WEPP model and changes in evapotranspiration were estimated according to the predicted changes in temperature, wind speed and solar radiation for the same scenarios. Dates of budbreak, bloom, veraison and harvest of three varieties were evaluated: Chardonnay, during the period 1998–2012; and Parellada and Macabeo during the period 1998–2009. Projections for 2030, 2050 and 2070 were made based on the observed phenological dates and the heat accumulation needed to reach each stage and water available recorded in different periods along the growing cycle. An advance of all phenological dates was predicted, higher for veraison and harvest than for the earlier stages and higher for Parellada than for Macabeo and Chardonnay. These stages may advance up to 10 and 16 days, respectively, for 2050 and up to 12 and 20 days for 2070 under the RCP4.5 scenario. Under RCP8.5 scenario, the advance by 2070 could be up to 23 and 28 days. These changes resulted in a shortening of the periods between phenological dates (>10 days), higher for Parellada than for Chardonnay and Macabeo. The results also showed an additional advance of bloom for Chardonnay and Macabeo associated with decreasing water available, and an advance of veraison and harvest for all three varieties, associated with decreasing water available, particularly between budbreak and bloom and between bloom and veraison, depending on the variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution and habitat loss are described as underlying causes for population declines in reptiles and especially affect species in agricultural landscapes. Studies dealing with effects of pesticide exposure on reptiles are limited, mainly addressing the orders Testudines and Crocodylia, but largely neglecting the most diverse reptile order Squamata (lizards and snakes). As a consequence, information regarding effects on their organisms, as well as exposure probability and pesticide uptake in the Reptilia has to be considered rather uncharted. We here ask how pesticide applications affect a widely distributed, synanthropic squamate species in Europe. We studied the common wall lizard ( Podarcis muralis ) with regard to enzymatic biomarkers of pesticide exposure (Glutathione-S-Transferase, Glutathione Reductase, Acetylcholinesterase) and body condition. Lizards were sampled from wild populations, along an exposure gradient (three exposed sites with differing land use intensity and one reference site). Our results suggest both dermal and oral uptake of pesticide formulations, with the former being especially relevant during the first two days after a pesticide application. Enzymatic activity slightly differed between exposure gradients, while showing overall similar patterns. Body condition of lizards decreased with increasing pesticide exposure. Furthermore, gender distribution was particularly skewed in favor to males within exposed sample sites. Although reptiles are not target organisms of pesticide applications, many species do come into contact with them, and most probably suffer from dermal and oral uptake. Thus, we believe it is indispensable for reptiles to be integrated in risk assessments in order to improve conservation practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some evidence shows that Cu-based fungicides used on vines increase the levels of copper in soil and sediments. The rainfall induced foliar wash-off is the most complex pathway of contaminants in the environment. Since the Cu wash-off occurs during rain episodes, Cu can be transported in streams along considerable distances as particulate forms. The colloidal properties of Cu suspended in runoff are related to its mobility in the environment. Asymmetrical-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) performs colloid separation based on hydrodynamic properties and can contribute as a useful tool to understand the environmental fate of colloidal contaminants. In this work, we studied the Cu-bearing micro- and nanoparticles (NPs) in throughfall samples containing fungicide residues of vines previously sprayed with copper oxychloride. Suspended particles in the throughfall were characterized by Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and AF4 coupled to multi-angle laser light scattering and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-MALLS-ICP-MS). Then, single-particle ICP-MS analysis (SP-ICP-MS) was performed to evaluate the presence of Cu NPs. AF4 allowed particle fractionation and detection in throughfall waters coupled AF4-MALLS-ICP-MS demonstrating that Cu was bound to a well-defined fraction of small particles clearly separated from a broad size distribution of organic colloids that did not contain Cu. SP-ICP-MS supported the evidence that throughfall contained Cu bound to organo-mineral particles of much smaller size than the powder formulation sprayed on vines, which favors their mobility in natural waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, hyperspectral reflectance (HySR) data derived from a handheld spectroradiometer were used to assess the water status of three grapevine cultivars in two sub-regions of Douro wine region during two consecutive years. A large set of potential predictors derived from the HySR data were considered for modelling/predicting the predawn leaf water potential (Ψ pd ) through different statistical and machine learning techniques. Three HySR vegetation indices were selected as final predictors for the computation of the models and the in-season time trend was removed from data by using a time predictor. The vegetation indices selected were the Normalized Reflectance Index for the wavelengths 554 nm and 561 nm (NRI 554;561 ), the water index (WI) for the wavelengths 900 nm and 970 nm, and the D1 index which is associated with the rate of reflectance increase in the wavelengths of 706 nm and 730 nm. These vegetation indices covered the green, red edge and the near infrared domains of the electromagnetic spectrum. A large set of state-of-the-art analysis and statistical and machine-learning modelling techniques were tested. Predictive modelling techniques based on generalized boosted model (GBM), bagged multivariate adaptive regression splines (B-MARS), generalized additive model (GAM), and Bayesian regularized neural networks (BRNN) showed the best performance for predicting Ψ pd , with an average determination coefficient (R 2 ) ranging between 0.78 and 0.80 and RMSE varying between 0.11 and 0.12 MPa. When cultivar Touriga Nacional was used for training the models and the cultivars Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca for testing (independent validation), the models performance was good, particularly for GBM (R 2 = 0.85; RMSE = 0.09 MPa). Additionally, the comparison of Ψ pd observed and predicted showed an equitable dispersion of data from the various cultivars. The results achieved show a good potential of these predictive models based on vegetation indices to support irrigation scheduling in vineyard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wine quality greatly depends on its chemical composition. Among the most important wine chemical compounds, flavonoids are the major contributors to wine organoleptic properties while amino acids have a huge impact on fermentation development and wine volatile profile. Likewise, nitrogen applications are known to have an impact on wine composition. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the effects of foliar nitrogen applications on wine flavonoid and amino acid composition. The experiment involved five foliar nitrogen applications at veraison time: urea (Ur), urea plus sulphur (Ur + S), arginine (Arg), and two commercial fertilizers Nutrimyr Thiols (NT) and Basfoliar Algae (BA). The results showed that nitrogen foliar treatments decreased wine flavonoid content although the effect varied according to each treatment. This could be related to a low vine nitrogen requirement, since must yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) was above acceptable threshold values for all samples. With regard to wine amino acid content, all treatments except for Ur increased its values after the applications. Finally, foliar nitrogen treatments greatly influenced wine composition. Among them, urea seemed to exert the most negative effect on both phenolics and amino acids. In addition, an inverse relationship between wine amino acid content and flavonol concentration was exhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]