technical assistance by haifa italia for the sustainable ... · microirrigation or fertigation...

Haifa seminar: "From a Grafted Vine to a Glass of Wine" - September 2013

M. Schippa, G. Terzulli - Technical assistance by Haifa Italia for the sustainable nutrition for the grapevine in compliance with the oenological goals

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Technical assistance by Haifa Italia for the sustainable nutrition for the

grapevine in compliance with the oenological goals

Dr. Agr. Mauro Schippa, Dr.ssa Giorgia Terzulli

Haifa U Seminar – Italy, September 1-4, 2013

… from the grafted vine to a glass of wine …

Why is it necessary (... desirable) to irrigate and especially to fertigate the vine and rethink how to make the fertilization?

« Technical assistance by Haifa Italia for the sustainable nutrition for the grapevine in compliance with the oenological goals »

Dr.Agr. Mauro Schippa, Dr.ssa Giorgia Terzulli ( Haifa Italia Srl)

Haifa U Seminar – Italy, September 1-4, 2013

… from the grafted vine to a glass of wine …

The statement that a good wine "... could be produced only from grapes starving for minerals and water..." is nowadays recognised as overtaken in new scenarios by:

deep scientific and technological knowledge – the adoption of microirrigation or fertigation allowed the winegrowers to easily control the yields and to match enological goals, that in past times were impossible to obtain with traditional grape growing techniques (check of sugar and acid content in musts, guarantee of a good content of Free Amino Nitrogen (FAN), possibility to swift aromatic profiles in wines).

climate changing – the opportunity to target the mineral and the water nutrition of the grape with fertigation offered the possibility to pursue good yields also in conditions of prolonged periods of water stress as well as with anomalous temperature and rain trends. Moreover fertigation and CRF allowed new production areas to be cultivated.

new customer needs – Nowadays customers require wines with lower alcohol level, higher freshness and richer in aroma compounds.



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What are the effects of climate change ?According to the most optimistic forecasts of RCP4.5 (Representative Concentration Pathways), in areas suitable for viticulture in regions such as Napa Valley, Burgundy, Tuscany and much of southern Australia the decline could be from a minimum of 19 % to a maximum of 62% percent by 2050. "The areas most" suited "are moving to the poles.“

scenario by RCP4.5 (Representative Concentration Pathways )



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Optimal tempature range for the cultivation ofthe main vine varieties ( growth stage )

In recent years vinegrowers and winemakers should grapple in several new problems related with:

shorter growing seasons;

higher grape sugar content and thus increased alcohol degree of wines;

low levels of organic acids (mainly malic acid);

modification of the glucose-to-fructose ratio;

increase of pH with starting of unwanted fermentations.

Seems logical that agronomists must take into account such scenarios of progressive change by renewing cultivation techniques. A correct, innovative an targeted mineral and water nutrition cold thus crucially help the winegrowers.

During the 67th Congress of “Assoenologi” (Italian Winemakers Association) held on June 2012, some interesting considerations were reported. In particular it was highlighted how “…the global warming does not change the world geography of vineyards, but the viticultural and enological practices must be adapted..:”.



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Foliar or root nutrition ?Foliar or root nutrition ?

CRF or NPK prompt action ?CRF or NPK prompt action ?

Which direction to take to

schedule the best sustainable

fertilization?

Soluble fertilizer or granular ?Soluble fertilizer or granular ?

Traditional technique

Distribution of granular fertilizers prompt action in two or three moments of the season, resulting in their bioavailability linked to the performance or sporadic rain "irrigation" : inability to accurately guide the optimal mineral nutrition.

Fertigation and CRF

With fertigation we supply water and fertilizer in the quantities required in the critical moments for the vine without waiting the rainfall; with the fertigation we apply the minimum volume of water to ensure the fertilizer distribution and plant nutrition : no changes of the hydraulic situation of the soil, minimum volume of water only useful as a carrier (micro-irrigation technique). With CRF we avoid any losses of the fertilizer when there is no rain and when there is a lot of rainfall as well . We match the vine nutritional needs with the bioavailability of the fertilizer.

Which mineral nutrition ?



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what are the major problems to overcome about the fertilization of the vine in Italy?Many Growers and technicians believe that the good wine is made taking suffer thirst and hunger to the vine.

In the market there are some fertilizer companies such as BMS and YaraVita that they say it is enough to get the vineyard in good nutritional status using only foliar fertilizers ( sprays ). .

The lack of technical knowledge that leads the vinegrowers to assess the quality of a fertilizer according to the cost per bag and not per unit

The economical crisis continue to reduce the investments in new vineyards and to reduce the dosage of good fertilizers ( mainly in the south Italy ).

The the increase in “organic” viticulture thinking they can get the most genuine wines

Why Nutrigation™ and CRF are an opportunity in vineyards?

Developing of microirrigation system

Recently, challenges like water shortage, climate changes and economic crisis forced growers to install irrigation systems in their vineyards.

This gives to the vinegrowers the opportunity to practice Teaspoon Feeding Nutrigation™ in vineyards.

The vinegrowers save money using CRF for the less dose of FU compared the traditional NPK fertilizers and for the reduction of the applications per year.

The consumers require wine lighter and with very high aromatic profile , more reduced alcohol content



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Traditional fertilization approach for the vine

The most part of the vineyards are fertilized using granular fertilizers ( prompt action fertilizers ) .

Fertilizer Units based on the Yield ( by M. Fregoni - Agriculture Piacenza University )

Yield N P2O5 K2O CaO MgOMT/Ha Kg/Ha Kg/Ha Kg/Ha Kg/Ha Kg/Ha

5 65 41 96 300 2810 76 44 112 358 3115 87 46 128 417 3420 98 49 144 476 37

One of the main experts and consultants for the vine is Prof. Mario Fregoni ( now retired ) and he wrote a table to define the kg/ha of Nutrients ( Units ) related to the yield, based on the granular fertilizers.

Timing fo Traditional fertilization for the vinethe table below shows two examples of traditional granular fertilization

NPK 12.12.17+Mg+S300 kg/Ha

Ammonium sulphate150 kg/Ha

NPK Organic-Mineral10.5.15+Mg+S+TE

300 kg/Ha

NPK Organic-Mineral4.8.16+Mg+S+TE

200 kg/Ha



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Haifa offers a simplified methodological approach to better manage the nutrition of the vine, as a function also of the oenological goal that you want to achieve, starting from the awareness :

specific timings and rhythms of nutrient requirements as related with phenological stages;

evaluation of the total fertilizer units to supply in order to ensure their bioavailability (both quantity and balanced rate among nutrients) at the different phenological stages.

This method allows the vine to manage a targeted and constant bioavailability of nutrients, thanks to fertigation technique but also using coated granule fertilisers with slow-rate release.

Optimal use of FertilizersThe grapevine mineral nutrition depends on the ability of the plant to absorb water with nutrients dissolved in it. This absorption flow of absorption is governed by the transpiration rate of the plant itself .

Water flow

The amount of mineral elements which are absorbed by the plants and their translocation, depends on:

the nutrient concentration in the soil solution;

the amount of water available for the plant;

the evapotranspiration of the plant.

For these reasons, the best results can be obtained through the integration and synchronisation of water and nutrient supply (fertigation / NutrigationTM and CRF) .



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Physio-nutritional Cycle of the Vine

Phenological stages and nutritional vine needs



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Cumulated curve N P K ( leaves, bunches and shoots )

Trend N uptake

Leaves

Bunches

Shoots



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Leaves

Bunches

Shoots

Trend K uptake

Diagram of the physionutritional growth cycle of the berry



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Definition of reference Total Fertilization Units (FU – kg/Ha) for the main mineral elements from traditional granular rapid-effect fertilizers as

related with yield and enological goal (Porro, 2009 - revised)

Based on the total Fertilization Units, the needed corrections should be made as related to the specific vineyard and growing conditions, by considering:

1.the potential yield goal in MT/Ha ( yield correction )

2.the level fertility / nutritional status of the soil ( soil abundance )

3.any nutrient competition that limits nutrient bioavailability ( antagonism )

4.the occurrence of cover crops ( green cover )

5.The rootstock ( depending on soil and microclimate )

As related with the previous 5 points, specific coefficients will be multiplied by the previously mentioned reference total FU, obtaining the Total Pondered FU. Depending on the fertilizer typology and to the possibility to do fertigation, specific efficacy factors will be applied and multiplied by the total pondered FU, with the aim to obtain the Total Equivalent Fertilization Units.

How to define / calculate the fertilizer units to be applied



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As related with the previous 5 points, specific coefficients will be multiplied by the previously mentioned reference total FU, obtaining the Total Pondered Fertilizer Units.

Depending on the fertilizer typology and to the possibility to do fertigation, specific efficacy factors will be applied and multiplied by the total pondered FU, with the aim to obtain the Total Equivalent Fertilizer Units.

Calculation of the Fertilizers Unit Total Pondered

The computed Total Equivalent Fertilizer Units will be supporting the final decision of the agronomist in defining the mineral nutrition plan for the vineyard, as related to the oenological goal searched.

Example of calculation of the Fertilizers Unit Total Pondered for fertigation



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The multiplication factor could range from a maximum of 1.3 to a minimum of 0.7.

The definition of the right factor to be applied will depend on how the production goal in MT/Ha deviates from the average indicated in the table of reference FU previously reported. Also the values could change being related to the vineyard potentials as known by the Agronomist.

1. the potential yield goal in MT/Ha( yield correction )

The technicians could take into account mineral nutrient reference tables in order to define the abundance of the main mineral elements in the soil. Normally each mineral element can be grouped in 4 classes of aboundance, and a multiplication factor will be identified for each one of them:Insufficient / lowsufficienthighvery high

2. the level fertility / nutritional status of the soil ( soil abundance )



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U.S.D.A soil classification triangle

Clay soil

Loam soil

Sandy soil

2.1 Nitrogen

Evaluation of the relative amount of organic matter (%) in the soil as related with textural class ( from “Met. Uff. AnalisiChimica del Suolo” – from Osserv. Naz. Pedologico e per la qualità del suolo – Roma 1994 – revised )

Relative amount of organic mater

Textural classes from USDASandy soils Loam Soils Clay Soils

low - insufficient < 1,2 < 1,4 < 1,7normal - sufficient 1,2 ÷ 1,6 1,4 ÷ 2,1 1,7 ÷ 2,6

High 1,6 ÷ 2,1 2,1 ÷ 2,9 2,6 ÷ 3,8very high > 2,1 > 2,9 > 3,8



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2.1 Nitrogen

The multiplying coefficients related with the relative content in organic matter are reported in the following table. They must beapplied in order to eventually modify the total FU (for nitrogenonly).

Organic Matter relative amount

Multiply coefficient for nitrogen

very poor - insufficient > 1,2normal - sufficient 1,0÷1,2

High 0,7÷1,0very high < 0,7

2.2 Phosphorous

The multiplying coefficients related with the relative content in organic matter are reported in the following table. They must be applied in order to eventually modify the total FU (for nitrogen only).

Reference values of assimilable phosphorus (ppm) in different soils ( different authors )

Reference evaluation

Olsen method Bray-Kurtz methodP P2O5 P P2O5

Insufficient < 10 < 23 < 25 < 57Sufficient 10 ÷ 17 23 ÷ 39 25 ÷ 50 57 ÷ 115

High 18 ÷ 25 41 ÷ 57 50 ÷ 75 115 ÷ 172Very high > 25 > 57 > 75 > 172

Reference available phosphorus Multiplying coefficient

Insufficient > 1,3sufficient 1,0÷1,3

High 0,8÷1,0Very high < 0,8



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2.3 potassium and cations

concentration of exchangeable cations

multiplying coefficient

insufficient > 1,2Sufficient 1,0÷1,2

High 0,7÷1,0Very high < 0,7

3. any nutrient competition that limits nutrient bioavailability ( antagonism )

antagonisms on nitrogen(bioavailability)

C/N ratiomultiplying coefficient

low < 8 0,95adequate 8÷12 1,00

high > 12 1,10

antagonisms on available

phosphorus (bioavailability)

limestone/organicmatter ratio


very low < 2 0,90low 2÷3 1,00

mean 3÷4 1,10high 4÷5 1,15

very high > 5 1,20



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3. any nutrient competition that limits nutrient bioavailability ( antagonism )

exchangeable cationratio exchangeable cations antagonisms

Ca / Mg > 10 Deficiency induced by Calcium

K / Mg > 1 Deficiency induced by Magnesium

Mg / K > 5 Deficiency induced by Potassium

antagonism for bioavailability of exchangeable cations


low 0,95ordinary 1,00

high 1,10

4. Cover crops ( turf - green cover )

The green cover directly affects the availability of nutrients, in a negative way for nitrogen and in a positive way for the others.

multiplying coefficients N P2O5 K2O MgONude soil 0,95 1,00 1,00 1,00Green cover 1,10 0,85 0,95 0,95



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5. Rootstock

The choice of the rootstock is very important and can influence the amount of fertilizer units to apply. The specificity and characteristics of the rootstocks are very wide and for simplicity we only consider the sensitivity to lack of magnesium and potassium.

the sensitivity to lack of magnesium and potassium


low 0,80÷0,9medium 1,00

high 1,0÷1,2

Fertilizer typeAverage used percentages of the

main nutrients supplied with fertilizers to the crops.

Multiplying efficacy coefficients for the calculation of the Total Equivalent FU (on the basis of a mineral fertilizer

prompt action)N P2O5 K2O MgO N P2O5 K2O MgO

Granular mineral fertilizer prompt action (based on potassium sulphate)

50% 15% 45% 45% 1,00 1,00 1,00 1,00Granular mineral fertilizer prompt action (based on potassium nitrate)

50% 15% 60% 45% 1,00 1,00 0,75 1,00Organo-mineral fertilizerwith humified organicmatter

70% 35% 70% 70% 0,71 0,43 0,64 0,64

Solubles fertilizers forfertigation 80% 45% 80% 80% 0,63 0,33 0,56 0,56Granular fertilizer not prompt action (CRF) –coating Polyurethane (MCT)

75% 15% 60% 60% 0,67 1,00 0,75 0,75

Average used percentages of the main nutrients supplied to the crops with fertilisers and efficacy coefficients to adopt for computing Total Equivalent FU (Anna Benedetti, Stefano Canali - CRA-RPS, 1996 - revised )



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How manage fertigation and CRF to get the best and sustainable mineral nutrition.The last step needed to be done is the possible combination betweengranular fertilization and fertigation in situations where it is useful to integrate both techniques. The integration is particularly useful where:

we should supply high amounts of FU in order to reduce water volume with fertigation and/or reduce the number of fertigation interventions;

there is not enough water availability and then the number of fertigationinterventions must be minimize, respecting to maximum concentrations of elements (g/L) in the water in order to avoid toxicity for the plants;

it is not possible to apply fertigation in spring time.

The granular fertilizers optimal complementary to fertigation are those thatcontain a significant part of controlled release nitrogen and potassium derivedfrom potassium nitrate. In this way you will avoid breaks in the flow of nitrogennutrition and you will get the optimal synergy between intervention granular fertilizer and irrigation.

Fertilization fractioning of Total Equivalent FU as related with soil concentration and texture



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what is our approach for the fertilization of the vine ?

GranularGranular + Fertigation Fertigation

still wines ** ** **sparkling wines * ** ****

structured wines aged in barrel ** ** **foliar sprays **** *** *

Harvest > 12 MT/Ha ** *** ****Harvest < 12 MT/Ha ** * ***

sandy soil * * ***medium soil ** *** **

heavy soil *** ** **grassed inter-row * ** ***

not grassed inter-row *** ** ** = minor importance **** = greatest importance

How to make the NUTRIGATIONTM

Managing irrigation requirements, irrigation system

Nutrient requirements of the vine / variety

Soil fertility and physical characteristics, irrigation/fertigation equipments

Soil Analysis and water analysis

top dressing / fertigation

Fertigation program :

irrigation needs and water availability

Choice of the fertilizersConcentration of the fertilizer and fertigation timing



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What problems do we have in fertigation?

Dissolve the fertilizer without loss of time and without errors (compatibility).

Thing to consider :Maximum solubilityTime of solubilizationMiscibility / compatibility



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Sheet of the Miscibility / compatibility toprepare the concentrate solutions

LToracchio

Timbro



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Glera Variety ( Prosecco wine)

Sangiovese Variety



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Pinot Grigio Variety

Sauvignon Variety



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Merlot Variety

Solubilizzazione ed iniezione del concime tramite una botte per trattamenti , con misuratore del flusso (litri/minuto)



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Sistema di Iniezione tramite un Venturi con applicato un flussimetro

Solubilizzatore ( Dissolver ) collegato con sistema di Iniezione tramite un Venturi



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Vortice generato da un agitatore idraulico per solubilizzare il concime in polvere idrosolubile

Flusso dell’acqua in entrata nel disco dell’agitatore

Sistema di agitazione dell’acqua nel TURBOMIX



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Immissione graduale del concime idrosolubile nel Dissolver con agitatore idraulico



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Sistema di iniezione della soluzione dal Dissolver tramite la pompa Amiad ( doppia )

Solubilizzazione del concime con un Dissolver con l’ausilio di un cestello di presolubilizzazione



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….. Growers and Technicians are coming for the meeting on Vineyard Nutrigation

Experimental Trial ( Pinot Grigio ) Az. Agr. Tenimenti Angelini – Puiatti – Romans di Isonzo (GO)



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…. Speaking about miscibility amongsoluble fertilizers


…… solubilization of NPK fertilizer




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The Group of Growers and Technicianson field


…. Coming back to the wine cellar to havethe wine tasting of the wines got the year

before from the differences nutrigation thesis


Haifa Market Development Meeting – Haifa, July 2011 – n°68Mauro Schippa - Haifa Italia Srl



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increased efficiency in the absorption of nutrients and irrigation water To set up a nutritional plan based on the specific needs of the variety /

rootstock and oenological goal (Total acidity, ° Brix degrees, YAN yeastassimilable nitrogen, aromas)

dose reduction of fertilizer and water needs reduction of losses due to leaching, volatilization and insolubilization of

nutrients prevention of damage by excess salinity in leaves and roots reduction of soil compaction due to the smaller number of farming

operationsless weed growth

entry into production of the new vineyards in advance

The result is a better qualitative and quantitative production of grapes, to achieve the optimum revenue from the vineyard through to the production of superior wines, mirror of the territory.

Advantages of Nutrigation TM and CRF

The EndThe End

technical assistance by haifa italia for the sustainable ... · microirrigation or fertigation...

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