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. © 2009 Taylor & Fra..