2011 VITICULTURAL YEAR

Transcription

1 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Viticultura Duriense INFORMATION BULLETIN [ ] Douro Region Wine Cluster 211 VITICULTURAL YEAR Nov Out. 211 In the course of implementation of the Action Plan for the Douro Region Wine Cluster, ADVID, as its developer, promotes in conjunction with members and partners a series of actions the results of which help to support analysis of the viticultural year and reflection on new strategies to be developed. 1

2 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Demarcated Douro Region Portugal N W 4 6 Murça Baixo Corgo Cima Corgo Douro Superior Vineyards Vila Real Sabrosa Alijó C. Ansiães Vila Flor Main rivers Municipal seats Weather stations S. M. Penaguião M. Frio P. Régua Lamego Armamar Tabuaço S. J. Pesqueira T. Moncorvo V. N. Foz-Côa F. E. Cinta Area under vines Area of DDR 4 1 hectares 2 hectares Fonte: CAOP, 24. Carta Land Corine Cover, 2, Atlas do Ambiente, 2. (ADVID F. Alves 211) Km Mêda 2

3 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Climate The rainfall observed during the winter was slightly higher than normal, particularly in December. The different climate stations presented variable figures for spring, but overall they were slightly below their average. From the end of spring to the start of autumn, the climate was dry. There were two important exceptions, on 21 August and 1 September, which totalled between 3 and 4 mm throughout the region. The air temperature measurements in April and May were significantly higher than the corresponding 3 year averages. 3 heat waves were recorded, one in April and two in May. In May there were also tropical nights (nights with a minimum temperature of 2ºC or more) and instability with the occurrence of thunder. In June temperatures were close to average, however on days 2 to 2 anomalous maximum air temperatures were recorded, reaching 42ºC. The month of July was characterised by the occurrence of moderate to strong wind during most of the month and on a high number of days the average wind was stronger than normal and temperatures were below average. August presented significant variations in air temperature and rainfall, with days close to heat-wave level alternating with anomalous low temperatures. The month of September, which be- gan with mild temperatures, reported above average maximum air temperatures, particularly in the second and last thirds of the month. It should be noted that in September there were several days with maximum temperatures of 2ºC (summer days) and 3ºC (hot days) or more, and the number of these days was above average. The Portuguese average temperature for October was the highest since 1931, this anomaly also being confirmed for the Douro Region. With regard to the thermal behaviour observed during the growth cycle (Table 1), the sum of active temperatures was one of the lowest in the decade (with reference to the Tua climate station), although there was a high number of days with temperatures above 3ºC, a trend not observed for temperatures above 3ºC, also confirmed for the period between June and August, with temperatures approaching the coolest years of the last decade. FIG.1 CHANGE IN MONTHLY TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION IN THE DDR FROM NOVEMBER 21 TO OCTOBER 211 COMPARISON WITH AVERAGES FOR RÉGUA (BC), PINHÃO (CC) AND VILARIÇA (DS) Baixo Corgo - Régua Cima Corgo - Pinhão Douro Superior - Vilariça Prec. (mm) ºC Prec. (mm) ºC Prec. (mm) ºC Prec 31-6 Prec 1-11 Temp 31-6 Temp Prec 31-6 Prec 1-11 Temp 31-6 Temp Prec 31-6 Prec 1-11 Temp 31-6 Temp Nov Dez Jan Fev Mar Abr Mai Jun Jul Ago Set Out Nov Dez Jan Fev Mar Abr Mai Jun Jul Ago Set Out Nov Dez Jan Fev Mar Abr Mai Jun Jul Ago Set Out 3

4 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Climate It should be noted that the climate variation observed, as well as reduction in cold days, is close to the pattern of occurrences estimated for the future, in studies of climate change on the Douro underway at ADVID. Further information at - circulars on developments throughout the year and climate analysis in 211 Average growing season temperature (agst) Sum of active temperatures (sat), no. of days with temperature >3ºC and 3ºC and % of days in June, July and August with temperature >3 ºC [Table 1] year TMCV STA nº days nº days % days (Mar-Set) (Mar-Set) (Mar-Set) (Mar-Set) (J-J-A) (ºC) T>3 (ºC) T>3 (ºC) T> 3 (ºC) 22 19, % 23 2, % 24 19, % 2 2, % 26 21, % 2 19, % 28 19, % 29 2, % 21 2, % 211 2, % Média 2, % 4 T ºC CHANGE AVERAGE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE IN 211 Comparison with averages FIG Change in Max T 211 Averages per third of month Max T 44-year series Averages per third of month Aver T 44-year series Averages per third of month ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Photograph copyright ADVID 1 1 Budbreak Flowering Véraison Grape harvest Aver T Phenology Max T Day of the year Mar Abr Mai Jun Jul Ago Set (Régua climate station) 4

5 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Growth cycle Budbreak was observed around 1 days earlier than in 21, occurring in the second week of March. Flowering was also 1 to 14 days early, between 13 and 16 May. During that month, we recorded a strong rate of growth of vegetation, as a result of the high temperature and groundwater availability. In June, on days 2 and 26, the anomalous temperatures, associated with a drastic reduction in the wind speed (from 3. m.s-1 to 1. m.s-1), led to scorching at elevations below 3 m, in blocks subject to higher thermal charges, with more sensitive varieties, above all those of erect growth habit. Figure 4 presents the change in atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD), which is an indicator of the atmosphere s capacity for water extraction through transpiration and evaporation. For days 2 and particularly 26, we observed values close to kpa, considered very high and unusual for that time of the year. The trend for an early growth cycle continued until véraison. It was only curbed by the effect of the rains at the end of August, which reduced the advance to around 1 days at the start of the grape harvest. The change in base water potential (as an indicator of water availability for the grapevine - Fig. 3) shows the downward trend until the end of July, with an initial recovery due to the lower temperatures and later, at the end of August, due to the rainfall, indicating that the lowering of the temperature was decisive for good plant water management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Photograph copyright ADVID FIG.3 CHANGE IN BASE LEAF WATER POTENTIAL ON A BLOCK OF TOURIGA NACIONAL X IN SOUTELO DO DOURO. COMPARISON WITH THE LAST DECADE FIG.4 CHANGE IN VPD, TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE AIR HUMIDITY (DOURO SUPERIOR VILARIÇA) Base Leaf Water Potential ѱ pd (MPa) 3/6 / 14/ 21/ 28/ 4/8 11/8 18/8 2/8 1/9 8/9 1/ VPD (kpa) VPD (kpa) Temperature [ C] Relative Humidity [% RH] T (ºC) HR (%) /Jun 2/Jun 21/Jun 22/Jun 23/Jun 24/Jun 2/Jun 26/Jun 2/Jun 28/Jun 29/Jun

6 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Phytosanitary incidents April and above all May presented highly favourable conditions for Downy and Powdery Mildew. The first downy mildew infections were reported on 19-2 April with oil spots (already sporulated) on 28 and 29 of the same month. At the beginning of May there were conditions for the occurrence of secondary infections and later on 1 and 2 of the same month, exceptional infection conditions, thus contributing to high disease pressure resulting in major yield losses, particularly in Baixo Corgo and some locations in Cima Corgo and Douro Superior. In addition to climate pressure on the progress of downy mildew, the high rate of plant growth may have had a diluting effect on the active substances applied to vegetation, redu- cing the persistence of their action. For efficient control, an increase in the number of treatments was necessary and the renewal interval sometimes had to be reduced to days. This situation prompted reflection on strategies to increase the efficiency of cultivation operations in hillside vineyards. Powdery mildew found high disease pressure conditions, with a significant contribution from the excessive vigour, which continued beyond cluster closure in the more susceptible varieties. FIG. DATES OF OCCURRENCE OF MAIN STAGES OF THE DOWNY MILDEW AND POWDERY MILDEW INFECTION CYCLE (BC AND CC) Oídio Míldio P. (mm) Oídio Míldio T. (ºC) / APR 22 / APR 29 / APR 6 / MAY 13 / MAY 2 / MAY 2 / MAY 3 / JUN 1 / JUN 1 / JUN 24 / JUN R (mm) Av Temp Max Temp ºC Min Temp ºC Primary infection Oil spot Downy or Powdery Mildew on the leaf Downy or Powdery Mildew on the cluster 6

7 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Tinta Roriz Leaf with 4 primary spots of downy mildew. Tinta Roriz, in Régua, below 1 m, (M.Carmo, 29/4) Primary powdery mildew infection. Tinta Roriz. (MC. Sporulated downy mildew - Baixo Corgo. Photo ADVID / C. Carlos 18- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Photograph copyright ADVID Cluster with various grapevine moth nests observed in Cima Corgo (C. Carlos, 2/) Berry of Tinta Roriz with powdery mildew sporulation and typical development of the disease from the pedicel, observed in Baixo Corgo (C. Carlos, /6) Scorching on Tinta Barroca, Cima Corgo (C. Carlos 2/6)

8 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] With regard to the grapevine moth, risk estimates made in the context of the monitoring of this pest on reference blocks resulted in the observation of 4 flight curves in 211 (Fig. ) and an advance in its cycle of around two weeks, compared with the average observed in previous years. Despite some blocks recording levels of attack above the Economic Injury Level (EIL) for the 1st generation, it was generally of no great importance in terms of damage. However, the pressure level of the pest increased gradually in the 2nd and 3rd generations, which resulted in the need to carry out insecticide treatment aimed at the 3rd generation in the second half of July and even the subsequent renewal of this treatment, due to the persistent nuisance level of this pest. In some locations the high pest pressure may have had an impact on the mating disruption control effectiveness. At the grape harvest, there was a significant impact of this pest on both quality and quantity and samples with more than % of clusters attacked were frequently observed, both in locations where there is a frequent history of this pest (grapevine moth hot spots) and in locations that do not normally record such a high nuisance level. Although the Touriga Franca variety was the most affected, there were also major attacks on other varieties (e.g. Touriga Nacional, Arinto, Rabigato and Tinta Amarela). FIG.6 FLIGHT CURVE OF THE GRAPEVINE MOTH (LOBESIA BOTRANA) IN 211 IN BAIXO CORGO (PESO DA RÉGUA) adults captured per week nd flight 3rd flight st flight 4th flight 4 Mar 18 Mar 1 Apr 1 Apr 29 Apr 13 May 2 May 1 Jun 24 Jun 8 Jul 22 Jul Aug 19 Aug 2 Sep 16 Sep 3 Sep 14 Oct 28 Oct 8

9 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Development of ripening in 211 [ comparison with 21 ] Given the climate conditions of 211, the grape harvest started between 1 and 1 days early, this difference having been reduced in the first third of September, above all for harvests in Baixo Corgo and Cima Corgo. The rate of development of berry weight was conditioned by the timing of the grape harvest, as well as block characteristics and the varieties in question. Probable alcohol content, similar to that of 21, was achieved earlier, while anthocyanins were significantly higher than 21, reaching very high levels, possibly reflecting the climate conditions during the ripening period. Note: The data on which the graphics are based are specific to two blocks, one in Cima Corgo - River Douro at an altitude of 2 metres and with north-facing exposure and another in Douro Superior - River Côa also situated at 2 metres and with north-facing exposure. FIG. RIPENING IN 211 AND COMPARISON WITH 21 ON TWO BLOCKS OF T. NACIONAL IN CIMA CORGO AND DOURO SUPERIOR (SAMPLES OF 2 BERRIES) [211 - SOLID LINE; 21 - DOTTED LINE] Touriga Nacional Block - Cima Corgo Touriga Nacional Block - Douro Superior Weight (g) Net volume (ml) Weight (g) Net volume (ml) Potential alcohol (%) Total Ac. (mg/l) Potential alcohol (%) Total Ac. (mg/l) Anthocyanins ph3,2 (mg/l) DATES Total Polyphenols (IPT) / EA (%) Anthocyanins ph3,2 (mg/l) DATES Total Polyphenols (IPT) / EA (%) 9

10 211 Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] Yield potential [ pollen method ] PREDICTION OF HARVEST POTENTIAL IN THE DDR Yield prediction estimates on 29 June 211 UNIT MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM hl x Pipas (L) x The methodology for predicting yield used in the DDR (see Bulletin 12 of 1 July) suggested falls of 2 to 3%. The impact of diseases, the physical action of scorching in June and the definition of the harvest timing lead to significant variation in the harvest potential. Considering the different situations, the general levels expected for 211 are likely to be close to the lower values in the prediction interval. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Photograph copyright ADVID 1

11 ADVID Quinta de Santa Maria - Apartado GODIM (PESO DA RÉGUA) T.: advid@advid.pt Viticultural Year [ Nov Out. 211 ] 11