The influence of some cultural practices on chemical composition of grapes, in the view of their use as measures of viticulture adaptation to climate change

Abstract

Climate change influences viticulture by changing the topoclimate of the vineyards, the phenology of grapevine and the chemical composition of the grapes. Areas unsuitable for viticulture have started to acquire viticultural potential, while others are negatively affected. Research to date indicates that Cotnari vineyard is among the regions favored by climate change: the vineyard's potential has changed in terms of increasing areas favorable for the production of quality white wines and the creation of conditions for red wine production. This researchaims to establish the influence of some cultural practices on the chemical composition of grapes for the Tămâioasă românească variety, aiming to use them asadaptation measures to climate change. The evolution of the grapes ripening was studied for three different experimental variants: defoliation applied at the base of the shoots; the defoliation of the middle third of the shoots; and shading vine leaves by bentonite film. The results indicate taht: the lowest accumulations of sugars is registered in the control variant, no de-leafing measure applied (173.8 g / L) while the largest is found in grapes where the shoots were stripped free of leaves at their base (216.0 g / L); an effect of reducing the sugar content when shading with bentonite film at a concentration of 6% (206.8 g / L), increasing the pH (3.91) and decreasing the titratable acidity (5.0 g / L ac. tartaric) was registered . The values obtained provide indications of the effect of different interventions on the composition of grapes and their suitability as measures to adapt to climate change, and experiences will be continued and diversified in the coming years.