A model library for estimating grapevine development and growth under different pedo-climatic conditions
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a valuable fruit crop characterized by a worldwide \nimportance. In particular, Italy, France and Spain are the biggest wine-producing \ncountries and they play a relevant role in the world wine economy. However, the \nspecific climate conditions of the narrow geographical areas in which grapevine is \ncurrently cultivated expose the viticulture suitability to the great risk of the climate \nchange and extreme events. In this context, the grapevine simulation models \nrepresented useful tools for investigating the main physiological plant processes under \ndifferent pedo-climatic conditions. Accordingly, the objective of this thesis is to \nprovide a new software component for estimating grapevine growth, yield and quality \nin different environments. \nThe new software component UNIFI.GrapeML is presented in Chapter 2 as an \nextendible model library in which the fine-granularity of the model structure allows \nan easier discretization and implementation of the code. In Chapter 2, \nUNIFI.GrapeML was tested in a specific case of study in Northeastern of Spain on a \nChardonnay vineyard. A sensitivity analysis using Latin Hypercube and Sobol method \nwas performed for evaluating the sensitivity of the model parameters on the final fruit \nbiomass considering the environmental conditions of the study area. The results \nevidenced the strong impact of leaf area expansion and crop partitioning parameters \non final output. The model was then calibrated on soil water content, phenology and \nfruit biomass data showing satisfactory results. \nAfterwards, UNIFI.GrapeML was implemented with a quality approach for \nassessing sugar concentration during ripening period according to the berry water \ncontent. This approach was evaluated in a specific case of study in Montalcino wineproducing \nregion (Italy) for Sangiovese variety over the period 1998-2015. In this \ncase, the phenological phases (budbreak, flowering, veraison and maturity) of \nSangiovese variety were calibrated using data from Susegana and Montalcino for \ndetermining the length of grapevine cycle. Then, the model calibration and validation \non observed sugar content data was performed for Montalcino site. The results showed \nhigh correlations in both calibration and validation procedures considering the yearto- \nyear variability of the dataset. \nFinally, the impact of climate change and extreme events was evaluated on the \nphenological cycle of very early, early, middle and late varieties at European scale \n(Chapter 4). The effect of the mean climate change on phenology was assessed using \na chilling-forcing model while the effect of extreme events was accounted through the \nfrost events at budbreak and the effect of suboptimal temperatures at flowering stages \n(fruit-set impact implemented in UNIFI.GrapeML). The results highlighted an overall \nadvance of budbreak and flowering phases of all varieties across a latitudinal and \nIV \nlongitudinal geographical gradient, especially in central/eastern Europe. In particular, \nthe climate change showed a high impact on budbreak of late compared to very early \nand early varieties in western European region. Moreover, a higher decrease of frost \nevents was evidenced in western regions compared to central/eastern Europe and a \nmore relevant effect of these events was found on very early and early compared to \nlate varieties. On the other hand, the estimation of the temperature stress at flowering \nstage evidenced a lower variability between varieties and scenarios while relevant \ndifferences were showed between European regions.
Author: Luisa Leolini
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2907545772