UTILIZATION OF PROXIMAL SENSING TECHNOLOGY (GREENSEEKER ) TO MAP VARIABILITY IN ONTARIO VINEYARDS

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1 UTILIZATION OF PROXIMAL SENSING TECHNOLOGY (GREENSEEKER ) TO MAP VARIABILITY IN ONTARIO VINEYARDS Andrew G. REYNOLDS 1*, Ralph BROWN 2, Elena KOTSAKI 1, Hyun-Suk LEE 1 1 Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada 2 School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada *Corresponding author: Reynolds, areynold@brocku.ca Abstract. Precision agriculture is a term referring to a suite of technologies utilized for the optimisation of production in agronomic crops. The overall objective of this research project was to evaluate the usefulness of high spatial resolution proximally sensed observations acquired by the GreenSeeker technology for mapping important variables such as yield, vigour, vine water status and fruit composition in Ontario vineyards over two growing seasons ( ). Moreover, it was hypothesized that unique zones in the study plots in terms of physiology, productivity, and berry composition would be identified. The research was carried out on three experimental sites involving two Riesling, two Cabernet franc and two Pinot noir blocks throughout the Niagara Region in Ontario (Canada). Data were collected three times during the growing season between fruit set and veraison [soil moisture, leaf water potential (ψ)], at harvest (yield components, berry composition) and in winter [vine size, winter hardiness (LT 50 )], whereby a grid of geolocated sentinel vines for each vineyard block was selected. GreenSeeker observations were likewise collected from lag phase to just prior to harvest, by computation of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (). Thereafter, relationships between vine water status, yield components and berry composition variables vs. data from the GreenSeeker were validated. Overall, higher was associated with yield components and vine size, while lower correlated with better berry composition variables, suggesting that GreenSeeker is a practical tool for vineyard vegetative growth surveys, and for grape composition inferences. Clustering associations were made through k-means statistical analysis in conjunction with Moran's I spatial autocorrelation index; soil moisture followed by the had the strongest clustering patterns. The demonstrated temporal stability of spatial variability suggests that there is a potential predictive value in the data. The outcomes from proximal sensing technology allow opportunities to stream and compliment present agricultural practices towards higher accuracy and efficacy by means of exploiting the observed variation. Key words: Precision viticulture, proximal sensing technology,, spatial variability, temporal stability, zonal management, phenolics, monoterpenes 1 INTRODUCTION The Ontario wine industry produces 80,000 t of grapes and consists of cultivars such as Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet franc, with lesser quantities of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot noir ( Soils are variable as a result of widespread glacial activity over yr ago, and consequently many vineyards are situated on several soil series that can range widely in terms of texture, depth of solum, and water-holding capacity [1]. This variability in soil characteristics can impact vine vigor, yield, and perhaps water status. A significant growth in the number of small artisanal wineries has permitted production of wines that are unique to individual vineyard sites and in some cases unique to specific vineyard blocks. In the past yr this interest has expanded to include identification of unique portions of vineyard blocks, some < 1 ha, that might be capable of producing extremely high-value wines based upon yield, vine size, or water status-based quality levels. Large vineyards are variable with respect to soil texture, moisture, and depth as well as organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and major and minor elements. As a consequence, vineyards vary spatially in vigor, yield, and fruit composition. Research has been undertaken in Ontario for several yr (since 1998) that has produced spatial maps and consequently quantified spatial variability in numerous vineyards with respect to soil composition, vine elemental composition, vigor, vine water status, vine winter hardiness, yield, and berry composition [2-5]. Moreover, these variables have been analyzed to determine relevant spatial correlations among them. Maps delineating clear zones of different vigor, yield, and vine water status have allowed researchers to produce wines from these unique zones that are likewise different chemically and sensorially. Geospatial technologies can input to farming practices information acquired by devices that detect electromagnetic radiation, visible light, infrared light, and near infrared light in order to achieve the concept of precision agriculture. Thus, when geospatial technologies are applied to viticulture, there is a focus on understanding the spatial and temporal variability in the production of wine grapes in order to achieve ideal optimization of vineyard functionality and to apply a precision agriculture approach to both viticultural practices and winemaking [6]. Currently, the increased availability of geospatial technologies has allowed their wide utilization in wine grape production regions, such as California [7], Australia [8,9], New Zealand [10], Spain [11], France [12-14] and in Ontario, Canada ([2,3,15-17], and has been proven as a practical implementation tool for making observations about vineyard vegetative growth, and grape composition [18]. Yet, remote sensing image acquisition from satellite or airplane platforms requires complicated and timeconsuming data processing, such as the manual delineation of rows [19], is restricted to weather conditions [20], requires an appropriate ground-truthing [21], along with other sources of imprecision, such as inter-row soil and shadow interference [20], masking of non-vine pixels (e.g. cover crop) to assess the vine-specific [4,15,16] and most importantly, information may not be available in time to implement critical management decisions [22]. 477

2 Ground-based proximal sensors intend to overcome many of the restrictions associated with satellite -or airborneremote sensing technology systems [23]. Generally, proximal sensing systems are collecting multispectral images in visible wavebands (green and red) and in the near infrared (NIR), calculating thereafter vegetation indices and making inferences about crop growth [24]; the most commonly used index for mapping variations in canopy density is the normalised difference vegetation index (). As previously demonstrated with airborne spectral reflectance imagery predicting pruning weights [25], ground-based sensor measurements indicated a consistent association between pruning weight (as an indicator of vine vigour) and over time in Merlot vineyards in northern Greece [20]. Moreover, the ground-based sensors predicted the spatial variation of biomass production near veraison with variable precision; nevertheless, was nonlinearly correlated with vine size, and was best described by a quadratic regression [20,23]. Vine productivity in terms of yield was also predicted by active canopy reflectance sensors measuring in vineyards planted with cvs. Cabernet Sauvignon and Xinomavro (Vitis vinifera L.) [26]. In another study, a mobile monitoring system, consisting of GreenSeeker optical sensors and ultrasonic sensors, assessed the canopy health and vigour status of vines in Italian vineyards [22,24]. maps clearly identified differences in vegetation, whereby low vegetation vigour (low values) correlated with high incidence of grapevine downy mildew and thus GreenSeeker measurements correlated well with the vine phytosanitary status [22,24]. Linear correlation to stable isotope content in leaves ( 13 C and 15 N) showed that canopy reflectance detected plant stresses as a result of water shortage and limited N fertilizer uptake [23]. The implementation of geospatial technologies aims to promote a vineyard management based on efficiency and quality of production and to explore vineyard variability, with respect to soil and vine water status, nutrient availability, plant health and disease incidence [27]. Yet, the usefulness of proximal sensing technology, and in this case the GreenSeeker technology, and its relationship with plant physiological measurements has still to be explored. The resulting outcomes of this research may allow for a wider adoption of the Precision Viticulture with greater focus on the best exploitation of vineyard spatial variability. 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS Sites and cultivars; geolocation. Three commercial vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, containing large blocks of V. vinifera were selected, and included two blocks each of Cabernet franc, Riesling and Pinot noir (1-2 ha in area). The sites represented the following sub-appellations: Creek Shores (Lambert; Riesling, Cabernet franc), St. Davids Bench (Coyotes Run; Pinot noir), Beamsville Bench (Cave Spring; Riesling, Cabernet franc). Soil types [1] vary substantially in these sub-appellations from moderately-well drained Chinguacousy (Creek Shores, Beamsville Bench) to poorly-drained Beverly/Toledo soils (St. Davids Bench). This array of soil types provided a significant range of water-holding capacities that impact vine water status. Vineyard blocks were GPS-delineated to determine shape using a Trimble hand held GPS, equipped with TerraSync software (Trimble Navigation Ltd., Sunnyvale, CA). Sentinel vines (80-100) were identified in a 8 m x 8 m grid within each vineyard and geolocated by the aforementioned GPS system. Field measurements and berry samples were taken on these vines. Soil moisture and leaf ψ. Vineyard soil moisture was measured by time domain reflectometry (TDR) using the Field Scout TDR 300 Soil Moisture Meter (Spectrum Technologies, East Plainfield, IL). The volumetric water content mode was used. Measurements were obtained on all sentinel vines three times during the growing season at berry set, lag phase, and veraison over a 20 cm depth. Vine water status was measured using midday leaf water potential (ψ) by pressure bomb (Soil Moisture Equipment, Santa Barbara, CA), using a pressurised supply of inert gas (nitrogen). Measurements were conducted only at the designated leaf ψ vines ( 20 per vineyard), on the same days as soil moisture (SM) measurements. was determined on mature leaves fully exposed to sun, showing no visible sign of damage or disease, between 1000h and 1400h. Yield components, vine size, berry analysis. Harvest dates were at the discretion of vineyard managers. Fruit from each sentinel vine was hand harvested, cluster number determined, and fruit weighed using a portable field scale. Cane prunings were weighed to determine vine size in all vineyards. A 100-berry sample was taken from each sentinel vine at harvest and frozen at -25 C. Each sample was weighed to determine mean berry weight, and placed in a beaker in a water bath at 80 C for one hr to dissolve precipitated tartrates. All viticultural data collection, basic berry composition analysis [Brix, ph and titratable acidity (TA)] and monoterpene analysis (Riesling) were conducted as in Willwerth et al. [28], and berry composition analysis for Cabernet franc and Pinot noir (colour, anthocyanins and phenols) as in Reynolds & Hakimi Rezaei [16]. Spatial mapping; GreenSeeker proximal sensing technology. The monitoring system used in this study consisted of two paired GreenSeeker sensors, and a high-performance DGPS double frequency receiver with real-time kinematic correction (AgGPS 162, Trimble Navigation, Englewood, CO). The GreenSeeker active optical sensor technology uses electroluminescent diodes (LED) to generate high intensity light at the 660 ± 10 nm (red) and 770 ± 15 nm (NIR) wavebands. The LEDs are pulsed at 100 Hz with an average reading of 10 Hz, have a 60cm-wide measuring pattern (61x10 mm) and a m discrepancy [22]. The sensors sample approximately 100 measurements per second and compute values in real-time; the files acquired were stored as data points in shapefile formats (.shp), which could thereafter be imported to the GIS computer software ArcGIS 10.3 (Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Redlands, CA). Dates close to soil moisture and leaf ψ data collection were selected for measurements, over three times during the growing season. The IDW interpolation method was utilised, to create a continuous surface (raster) of vineyard study blocks from all point-data variables (i.e. soil moisture, leaf ψ, yield components, and berry composition characteristics) and the classification method was based on natural breaks. Geolocated sentinel vines were plotted as individual points on maps. 478

3 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In Cave Spring Riesling (Figure 1 A-D), observations correlated well with yield, cluster weight with the eastern side showing pockets of high values and the west side showing low values; free volatile terpenes (FVT) were inversely correlated with particularly in the eastern section of the block. In Coyote's Run Pinot noir North South (Figure 1 E-I), showed correlations with yield and vine size in the west side of the block; similarities with SM were very profound, while inverse relationships with colour were exhibited. Soil moisture showed very temporally consistent patterns in both vintages, with high SM in the west-north west side, and low SM in the south-south east side of the block. In Cave Spring Cabernet franc (Figure 1 J-O), demonstrated highly similar patterns with vine size and correlated well with leaf ψ, whereby low leaf ψ was found in the central and eastern side of the block. Berry composition variables (colour, anthocyanins and phenols) showed very high temporal consistency in both years, and were inversely correlated with. In Lambert Cabernet franc (Figure 1 P-U) correlated well with ph and berry weight. Soil moisture showed consistent patterns in both vintages, whereby the north side had low values and the south (south-east) had high values. All berry composition variables exhibited very high temporal consistency in both years and were inversely correlated with SM and somewhat with. Moran's I spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that was a clustered variable in most blocks. In Lambert Riesling (Figure 2), Principal components analysis explained 45.5% of the variability in the first two PCs; leaf ψ and TA were inversely correlated with FVT, potentially-volatile terpenes (PVT), Brix and ph (PC1), while and berry weight were inversely correlated with SM, yield and cluster number (PC2). The non-hierarchical classification algorithm k-means was conducted for three clusters and supplemented the PCA as a qualitative variable with observation biplots projected in different colours based on low, medium and high values; the low observations appeared closer to FVT, PVT and SM, whereas the high ones were closer to berry weight, and TA (Figure 2A). Maps showed that (Figure 2 B-C) demonstrated very temporally consistent patterns in both vintages with high values in the north side and low values in the south; correlations were established with berry weight (Figure 2D), cluster weight (Figure 2E) and TA (Figure 2F), while inverse relationships were exhibited with SM (Figure 2G) and FVT (Figure 2H). Moran's I Index indicated a 100% clustering pattern, further confirming results obtained from statistical and spatial analysis. Overall, high was associated with yield components and vine size, while low was associated with higher anthocyanins, phenols and colour for the red cultivars and terpenes for Riesling. Summarised statistics were conducted for all the variables; the most notable coefficient of variation was observed for yield (CV% across sites and years), followed by high variability in vine size (CV% ). These basic statistics for one of the vineyards are presented in Table 1. The latter statement is indicative of the potential of a Precision Viticulture (PV) approach for zonal management and/or selective harvesting [29]. Likewise, variables associated with the yield exhibited similar intra-field variation. With respect to berry composition metrics, the most variability was exhibited with anthocyanins, colour and phenols, and monoterpenes. Aside from establishing relationships among and other variables, it was essential to show that spatial variability patterns remained stable over time, and that the spatial variability in yield components is depicted in fruit composition attributes. Despite the small vineyard sites ( 1 ha), spatial variability was demonstrated among vine water status,, and berry composition variables. Patterns unveiled by the maps confirmed to a great extent the relationships established from the statistical methods. Among all variables examined, soil moisture exhibited the highest degree of temporal consistency across the years, followed by the and the berry composition variables. In spite of the fact that not all of the variability in the dataset was accounted for by the PCAs ( 40%), the relationships revealed were consistent across the methods examined and vintages, and in accordance with current literature. The fundamental intent of the PV approach is to delineate management zones, often based on clustering techniques, such as k-means clustering. Coupled with PCA as a qualitative supplement, k-means clustering for the further highlighted natural grouping structures associated with important yield and berry composition variables (i.e. phenolics and monoterpenes). If this study had been combined with a sensory evaluation of wines produced from the k-means derived zones, differences in wine sensory quality attributes might have been profound. Moran's I results (Table 1) further supported the premise that SM and followed clustering patterns at the within field scale. The theory underlying the calculation is that the photosynthetically active foliage absorbs the sunlight in the visible blue and red wavelengths and gives a strong reflectance in the near-infrared wavelengths (NIR), a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum not detectable by the human eye; grapevine canopies encounter many environmental biophysical constraints, such as low soil water availability, and therefore reflect less light (low ) [25]. Results acquired by the GreenSeeker are considered sufficient in terms of repeatability and correlations. Our results confirmed that yield components and vine size (based on pruning weights) were important factors in variability, while berry composition variables (i.e. anthocyanins, colour, phenols, monoterpenes) showed strong consistent inverse relationships with. Therefore, the GreenSeeker usefulness was exhibited not only through the consistency of the relationships established, but also through the simplicity of the procedure with respect to image acquisition, and real-time and easier applicability along with higher resolution than the remote sensing technology, while associated with lower operating costs. Maps produced for all variables examined demonstrated strongly the spatial variability in the vineyard scale, which is indicative that zonal management could be potentially feasible. Proximal sensing technology will influence future agricultural systems by providing optimal vineyard functionality resulting in ideal harvests for better winemaking. 479

4 4 LITERATURE CITED 1.KINGSTON, M. & PRESANT, E., The Soils of the Regional Municipality of Niagara. Rept. 60, Ontario Institute of Pedology, Guelph, ON. 2.REYNOLDS, A.G. & HAKIMI REZAEI, J., 2014a. Spatial variability in Ontario Cabernet Franc vineyards: I. Interrelationships among soil composition, soil texture, soil and vine water status. J. Appl. Hortic., 16(1), REYNOLDS, A.G. & HAKIMI REZAEI, J., 2014b. Spatial variability in Ontario Cabernet Franc vineyards: II. Yield components and their relationship to soil and vine water status. J. Appl. Hortic., 16(2), MARCINIAK, M., BROWN, R.B., REYNOLDS, A.G. & JOLLINEAU, M Use of GPS, GIS and remote sensing to understand the terroir of the Niagara Peninsula. Remote sensing applications in a Riesling vineyard. J. Int. Sci. Vigne Vin, 49, WILLWERTH, J., REYNOLDS, A.G. & LESSCHAEVE, I., Terroir factors: their impact in the vineyard and on the sensory profiles of Riesling wines. Progrès Agric. 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5 Table 1. Basic statistics and spatial autocorrelation (Moran s I, z-scores and p-value) results for yield components, berry composition, and for the Lambert Riesling vineyard, Virgil, ON, *Spread [8] = subtraction minimum from the maximum values, expressed as a % of the median value. Patterns are expressed as random or clustered and are indicated for each corresponding attribute ( ). Variable Year Mean Median CV% Spread* Moran s I z-score P value Random Clustered fruit set lag phase veraison FVT (mg/kg) PVT (mg/kg) SM (%) fruit set SM (%) lag phase SM (%) mean fruit set lag phase mean Abbreviations: : Normalized Difference Vegetation Index; FVT: Free volatile terpenes; PVT: Potentially-volatile terpenes; SM: Soil moisture. values are in MPa. 481

6 A- D- FVT (mg/l) G-Yield (kg) J- M-Colour (OD520) P- S-Soil moisture (%) ,100-1,200 B-Yield (kg) E- H-Vine size (kg) K-Vine size (kg) N-Anthocyanins (mg/l) Q- ph T-Berry weight (g) ,000-1, ,100-2,500 C-Cluster weight (kg) F-Soil moisture (%) I- Colour (OD520) L- (MPa) O-Phenols (mg/l) R-Colour (OD520) U- Anthocyanins (mg/l) Figure 1. Maps of Cave Spring Riesling (A-D), Coyote's Run North South (E-I), Cave Spring Cabernet franc (J-O), and Lambert Cabernet Franc (P-U) in Individual values on maps represent highest and lowest values for the respective color zones. Individual points on maps B, G and R represent the sentinel vines. 482

7 A) B) C) D) 3 Biplot (axes F1 and F2: %) F2 (19.27 %) FVT ph PVT Brix Soil moisture Berry weight Cluster # Yield Vine size TA F1 (26.20 %) Medium High Low Centroids E) F) G) H) Figure 2. PCA observation biplot (A) with values subjected to k-means clustering analysis and colours corresponding to groupings of high, medium and low, and maps of Lambert Riesling 2015 (B-H). Abbreviation: FVT: free-volatile terpenes; individual points on the map H represent the sentinel vines. 483