The Relationship between Grapevine Vigour and N-Mineralization of Soil from Selected Cool Climate Vineyards in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Excess vigour is a problem in cool climate vineyards in Australia due to high soil N-fertility. High and low vigour blocks in three cool climate vineyards in Victoria, Australia, was surveyed. The relationship between soil N-fertility and grapevine vigour was tested. Vine vigour was reflected in measured internode length and leaf petiole N content. The average daily N-mineralization rate from soil organic matter (SOM) varied among the sites. Laboratory incubations revealed a positive relationship between soil total N content and average daily mineralizable-N in most sites. However, there are other factors involved in promoting excess vigour those to be taken into account.

Keywords:

• cool climate
• grapevine vigour
• N-mineralization
• N-fertility

Notes

HDD =  Σ[(T°C-10°C) × Number of days in month] (Amerine and Winkler, 1944)