Elemental Prominence & Elemental Prominence & The Importance of Analysis The Importance of Analysis in Wine Grape Productionin Wine Grape Production

Tim Eyrich

Elemental ProminenceElemental Prominence Proactive Nutrient Approach is an Proactive Nutrient Approach is an

understanding of the elemental understanding of the elemental prominence (a time line) in the crop prominence (a time line) in the crop production cycle. That production cycle. That understanding enables us to maintain understanding enables us to maintain the appropriate levels and balances of the appropriate levels and balances of elements, at critical physiological elements, at critical physiological growth stages, that have an influence growth stages, that have an influence on yield and quality factors.on yield and quality factors.

Nutrient InteractionsNutrient Interactions

Copper(Cu)

Calcium(Ca)

Manganese(Mn)

Potassium(K)

Iron(Fe)

Phosphorus(P)

Boron(B)

Nitrogen (N)Zinc(Zn)

Magnesium(Mg)

Molybdenum(Mo)

Quality Wine GrapesQuality Wine Grapes

Well integrated nutritional Well integrated nutritional program that involves soil and program that involves soil and

tissue analysis and soil and tissue analysis and soil and foilar applied products is the foilar applied products is the best insurance for optimum best insurance for optimum quality and maximum yieldquality and maximum yield

Concentration On Analysis And Weather Allows Us To Make The Most Informed Nutritional Decisions To Realize The Crop’s Maximum Yield And Quality Potentials

The goal is to manage the vine for optimum berry quality. Even set, even maturity, better must quality.

Many of these factors are nutritional driven.

Integrated Fertility Integrated Fertility Management Management

SOIL FERTILITY IS THE BASE LINESOIL FERTILITY IS THE BASE LINE

Soil nutrient status and availability Soil nutrient status and availability dictates overall potential via soil inputdictates overall potential via soil input

Levels are static aside from cropping Levels are static aside from cropping and fertilizer inputand fertilizer input

Therefore, soil analysis indicates the Therefore, soil analysis indicates the potentialpotential crop quality and yield crop quality and yield

Integrated FertilityIntegrated Fertility Management ManagementTISSUE FERTILITY IS TISSUE FERTILITY IS

THE INDICATORTHE INDICATOR Tissue nutrient levels reflect the true Tissue nutrient levels reflect the true

crop status at that timecrop status at that time Levels change with maturity and Levels change with maturity and

environmental changesenvironmental changes Tissue analysis indicates the Tissue analysis indicates the actual actual

status at the time of samplingstatus at the time of sampling

Integrated FertilityIntegrated Fertility Management Management

MUST ANALYSIS REVEALS MUST ANALYSIS REVEALS

THE PRODUCTTHE PRODUCT Fruit analysis is the bottom lineFruit analysis is the bottom line An integrated fertility program An integrated fertility program

strongly influences the final productstrongly influences the final product Must characteristics can be altered Must characteristics can be altered in in

seasonseason with fertility management with fertility management

Key nutrients in viticultureKey nutrients in viticulture Nitrogen (N) - Protein synthesis (growth)Nitrogen (N) - Protein synthesis (growth) Phosphorus (P) - Cell division, energy transferPhosphorus (P) - Cell division, energy transfer Potassium (K) - Sugar transport Potassium (K) - Sugar transport Magnesium (Mg) - Part of the chlorophyll molecule, Magnesium (Mg) - Part of the chlorophyll molecule,

bunch maturationbunch maturation Calcium (Ca) – Skin set, cell structure (colour, berry Calcium (Ca) – Skin set, cell structure (colour, berry

quality)quality) Boron (B) - Pollen germination (flowering, fruit set, Boron (B) - Pollen germination (flowering, fruit set,

bunch maturation) bunch maturation) Zinc (Zn) - Auxin synthesis, even fruit set (growth Zinc (Zn) - Auxin synthesis, even fruit set (growth

and development)and development) Iron (Fe) - Chlorophyll synthesisIron (Fe) - Chlorophyll synthesis Manganese (Mn) - Required for photosynthesisManganese (Mn) - Required for photosynthesis

NitrogenNitrogen Generally in viticulture the main concern Generally in viticulture the main concern

is avoiding excessive nitrogen applications is avoiding excessive nitrogen applications which can lead towhich can lead to• Excessive vigour with high yieldExcessive vigour with high yield• Increased sensitivity to disease (botrytis)Increased sensitivity to disease (botrytis)• Potential reduction in sugar accumulation in Potential reduction in sugar accumulation in

berries, increased acidity, reduced colour and berries, increased acidity, reduced colour and bouquetbouquet

• Increased risk of physiological disorders Increased risk of physiological disorders (coulure, grape stalk necrosis), especially on (coulure, grape stalk necrosis), especially on sensitive varietiessensitive varieties

NitrogenNitrogen

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/EARLY

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/FLOW

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/VERA

AUS

FR

IT

NZ

Ont 98

Significance of Phosphorus in Significance of Phosphorus in Wine Grape ProductionWine Grape Production

Crucial for photosynthesis, sugar Crucial for photosynthesis, sugar synthesis and energy transfer synthesis and energy transfer (respiration)(respiration)

Sugar production in leaves -- Sugar production in leaves -- BrixBrix

Structural component of cell walls Structural component of cell walls (phospholipids)(phospholipids)

PhosphorusPhosphorus Key nutrient for cell Key nutrient for cell

divisiondivision Period of highest Period of highest

demand is early in the demand is early in the growing seasongrowing season

Phosphorus levels in Phosphorus levels in the vine fall between the vine fall between bud burst and bud burst and flowering/fruit setflowering/fruit set

Uptake from the soil is Uptake from the soil is reduced by low soil reduced by low soil temperature temperature

PhosphorusPhosphorus

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/EARLY

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/FLOW

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/VERA

AUS

FR

IT

NZ

Ont 98

Phosphorus In FruitPhosphorus In Fruit Without external interventionWithout external intervention

R2 = 0.8671

Fruit Size (Time)

Ph

osp

ho

rus

Co

nce

ntr

atio

n

Significance of Potassium in Significance of Potassium in Wine Grape ProductionWine Grape Production

Crucial to sugar Crucial to sugar transport from leaves transport from leaves to fruitto fruit

Excess in must Excess in must neutralizes tartaric neutralizes tartaric acid and lowers acidityacid and lowers acidity

Result is poor storage Result is poor storage potential, especially when potential, especially when combined with poor tannin combined with poor tannin structurestructure

Lack of results in Lack of results in excess acidity, poor excess acidity, poor fermentationfermentation

PotassiumPotassium

Potassium is important Potassium is important for sugar for sugar accumulation in the accumulation in the ripening berriesripening berries

High potassium levels High potassium levels will antagonise will antagonise magnesium magnesium availability and may availability and may cause magnesium cause magnesium deficiency (grape stalk deficiency (grape stalk necrosis)necrosis)

Potassium In FruitPotassium In FruitWithout external interventionWithout external intervention

Fruit Size (Time)

Po

tass

ium

Co

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ntr

atio

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Significance of Magnesium in Significance of Magnesium in Wine Grape Production Wine Grape Production

With P and Ca, structural component With P and Ca, structural component of cell wallsof cell walls

Central atom to chlorophyll moleculeCentral atom to chlorophyll molecule Often in imbalance with K early Often in imbalance with K early

season and during ripeningseason and during ripening Lack of delays or stops ripeningLack of delays or stops ripening Result is lack of color (anthocyanin), poor color Result is lack of color (anthocyanin), poor color

stability (excess tannin), excess acidity, lack of stability (excess tannin), excess acidity, lack of flavor (oxidation of phenolic substances)flavor (oxidation of phenolic substances)

MagnesiumMagnesium

A key nutrient for A key nutrient for grape growersgrape growers

Central part of the Central part of the chlorophyll moleculechlorophyll molecule

Leaf quality without Leaf quality without excessive vigourexcessive vigour

Prevention is far more Prevention is far more effective than cure for effective than cure for magnesium deficiencymagnesium deficiency

MagnesiumMagnesium

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/EARLY

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/FLOW

GRAPEWINE/LEAF/VERA

AUS

FR

IT

NZ

Ont 98

Magnesium in FruitMagnesium in FruitWithout external interventionWithout external intervention

R2 = 0.9685

Fruit Size (Time)

Mag

nes

ium

Co

nce

ntr

atio

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Significance of Calcium in Significance of Calcium in Wine Grape ProductionWine Grape Production

Structural constituent -- in balance Structural constituent -- in balance with Mg & B, cell wall strength/ with Mg & B, cell wall strength/ elasticityelasticity

Berry resistance to disease Berry resistance to disease penetrationpenetration

Direct influence on berry skin surface Direct influence on berry skin surface = Color= Color

Rarely, excess competes with Mg and Rarely, excess competes with Mg and K content K content

CalciumCalcium

Calcium influences disease Calcium influences disease susceptibility of many fruit cropssusceptibility of many fruit crops• cell integritycell integrity• senescencesenescence

Calcium supply to fruits is often not Calcium supply to fruits is often not sufficient even if soil or leaves are sufficient even if soil or leaves are well supplied.well supplied.Tablegrapesreport.pdfTablegrapesreport.pdf

Higher calcium content in the berry skin associated Higher calcium content in the berry skin associated with less problems of Botrytiswith less problems of Botrytis

Frequency of Botrytis

01020304050607080

0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8

Calcium in skin (mg/g FW)

(%)

Intensity of Botrytis

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8

Calcium in skin (mg/g FW)

%

Berry calciumBerry calcium

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70

5

10

15

20

Grape size (g)

Ca (mg/100g FW)

CalciumCalcium

Key to Sampling:Key to Sampling:1 = 3/4 weeks pre-flower, 2 = End of flowering, 3 = Veraison (colouring), 4 = harvest1 = 3/4 weeks pre-flower, 2 = End of flowering, 3 = Veraison (colouring), 4 = harvest

NUTRIENT PROFILE OVER TIME

33.26

25.79

1.84

2.58

3.81

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

1 2 3 4

SAMPLING OCCASION

BE

RR

Y (

MG

/100

G)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

LE

AF

(%

)

VINE BERRY

VINE LEAF

Calcium supply to fruitsCalcium supply to fruits without external interventionwithout external intervention

PERIOD OF CELL DIVISION Calcium is drawn to the developing fruits by the ‘calcium pump’

PERIOD OF CELL EXPANSION Calcium is no longer supplied to the fruits going instead to the growing points where cell division is now taking place

Harvest

Total fruit calcium content (mg)

BoronBoron Essential for floweringEssential for flowering Severe deficiency will lead to Severe deficiency will lead to

flower abortion or poor fruit flower abortion or poor fruit setset– reduced sugar content, reduced sugar content,

increased acidity, lack of increased acidity, lack of colour (unripe grapes)colour (unripe grapes)

– problems of colour problems of colour stability (improperly stability (improperly developed berries contain developed berries contain high level of tannins which high level of tannins which unbalances the unbalances the tannin:anthocyanin ratio) tannin:anthocyanin ratio)

– Astringent wines with Astringent wines with unripe tannins because unripe tannins because pips and stalks stay green.pips and stalks stay green.

Significance of Zinc in Significance of Zinc in Wine Grape ProductionWine Grape Production

Participant in Auxin formationParticipant in Auxin formation Crucial for meristematic growthCrucial for meristematic growth Evenness of flowering/fruit setEvenness of flowering/fruit set Rachis elongation -- minimize rotsRachis elongation -- minimize rots Color and flavor stabilityColor and flavor stability Lack of results in high acidity, poor Lack of results in high acidity, poor

color and stabilitycolor and stability Problem cannot be overcome late Problem cannot be overcome late

ZincZinc

Auxin production, Auxin production, shoot development shoot development and flowering/fruit and flowering/fruit setset

Required right from Required right from the start of the the start of the season through to season through to fruit setfruit set

Mn Def.

Fe Def.

Fe Def.

Grape Vine Life CycleGrape Vine Life Cycle DormancyDormancy Bud breakBud break

Leaf extension/expansionLeaf extension/expansion FloweringFlowering

Flower fertilization/Fruit setFlower fertilization/Fruit set Fruit bulkingFruit bulking

(Following season bud differentiation)(Following season bud differentiation) Fruit ripeningFruit ripening

Dormant (Spring)Dormant (Spring) Little physiological Little physiological

activityactivity Plant using a Plant using a

minimal amount of minimal amount of stored energy for stored energy for respirationrespiration

No energy input No energy input from leavesfrom leaves

Leaf and fruit buds Leaf and fruit buds tighttight

NPK Fertilty – NPK Fertilty – Calcium (Soil)Calcium (Soil)

Bud BreakBud Break Leaf buds swell, enlarge, loosenLeaf buds swell, enlarge, loosen Susceptibility to cold injury increasesSusceptibility to cold injury increases No photosynthesis, little transpiration or No photosynthesis, little transpiration or

nutrient movementnutrient movement Rudimentary root systemRudimentary root system All activities in deficit mode, reservesAll activities in deficit mode, reserves Micronutrients Micronutrients mustmust be in place be in place

Leaf ExpansionLeaf Expansion All leaves continue to grow All leaves continue to grow

at energy deficit until 2/3 at energy deficit until 2/3 expandedexpanded

Micronutrients crucial to Micronutrients crucial to proper growthproper growth

Cool (cold), wet soilsCool (cold), wet soils Only most available Only most available

nutrients from rootsnutrients from roots Phosphorus continues to Phosphorus continues to

limit growthlimit growth Phosphorus, Phosphorus,

Magnesium ,Zinc, Magnesium ,Zinc, Manganese, and Boron Manganese, and Boron

FloweringFlowering(Reproductive Phase)(Reproductive Phase)

Micronutrients adequate?Micronutrients adequate? Levels and balances crucial Levels and balances crucial

for flower set, fertilization, for flower set, fertilization, fruit set ( B, Zn, Ca, Mg, P)fruit set ( B, Zn, Ca, Mg, P)

Leaves contributing to Leaves contributing to energy inputenergy input

Soils and air warmSoils and air warm Relatively stress-free timeRelatively stress-free time Time to apply nutrients for Time to apply nutrients for

early fruit developmentearly fruit development

Cell Division And Cell Division And Early Fruit BulkingEarly Fruit Bulking

Hot air / warm soil Hot air / warm soil temperaturestemperatures

Sugar translocation to Sugar translocation to and accumulation in and accumulation in fruitfruit

Heat stress possibleHeat stress possible Phosphorus, Phosphorus,

Potassium, Calcium, Potassium, Calcium, Boron, and Boron, and ManganeseManganese

ColorColor

Fruit Bulking To MaturityFruit Bulking To Maturity Heat stress during sizing and Heat stress during sizing and

sugaringsugaring Leaf/Fruit competing for Leaf/Fruit competing for

nutrients and nutrients and photosynthatesphotosynthates

Disease pressures to fruit Disease pressures to fruit increaseincrease

Calcium for disease attack Calcium for disease attack and entryand entry

Phosphorus for sugar Phosphorus for sugar synthesissynthesis

Potassium for sugar transport, Potassium for sugar transport, stress. (monitor Mg)stress. (monitor Mg)

Begin addressing specific Begin addressing specific must characteristics, Colormust characteristics, Color

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