4.5 Precision Viticulture

Question 1

What is precision viticulture?

Answer 1

• Known as PV
• Experience and research shows big variations in the response of vines to different treatments or practices, even in the same vineyard or plot
• PV uses data collected from the vineyard (soil, vigour, topography, plant growth) to respond to changes from plot to plot and from row to row

Question 2

How is data collected for precision viticulture?

Answer 2

• By sensors either on aircraft (‘remote’) or mounted on a tractor or harvester in the field (‘proximal’).
• Geospatial technology such as global positioning systems (GPS) and geographical information systems (GIS) allows the data to be presented visually in the form of maps.

Question 3

What type of data is collected for precision viticulture?

Answer 3

• The composition of soils

- The rate of growth of the canopy

Question 4

What is variable-rate application technology?

Answer 4

Interventions in the vineyard are then targeted in the light of the data collected

Question 5

What is the aim of precision viticulture?

Answer 5

1. Producing the best quality and yield
2. Reducing environmental impact
3. Reducing costs on treatments.

Question 6

Give an example of precision viticulture.

Answer 6

Changing the rootstock half way along rows of vines as the soil gets richer or increasing levels of leaf-stripping in a high vigour area

Question 7

Where has precision viticulture been most widely used?

Answer 7

California, Australia

Question 8

For what is precision viticulture most effective?

Answer 8

For controlling treatment application rates or irrigation rates

Question 9

Name 2 advantages of precision viticulture.

Answer 9

1. Detailed understanding of variations in the vineyard that affect yield and quality between and within vineyards
2. Ability to tailor a wide range of interventions (choice of variety and rootstock, canopy management, treatments, harvest dates) to individual blocks or even rows of vines, with the aim of improving yields and/or quality.

Question 10

Name 2 disadvantages of precision viticulture.

Answer 10

1. Initial cost of remote data collection
2. Cost of sensors and software and of either consultancy or trained staff to interpret the data and make interventions in the light of it.