The effect of fertilisation on the performance of Barlinka table grapes on sandy soil, Hex River Valley
Date
1995
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Society for Enology and Viticulture
Abstract
The response of Barlinka table grapes on grayish, sandy soil to irrigation-applied N fertilisation levels, patterns of N application, crop load and stock P and K fertilisation, were evaluated over a 12-year period in the Hex River Valley. Under the conditions of the trial, an N level of about 100 kg ha-1 appeared to be optimum for shoot growth and grape quality. Bunch and crop mass benefited from increased N levels, apparently due to better berry set. Increased N levels also appeared to preserve greenness of bunch stems better during cold storage but N levels higher than 105-120 kg ha-' reduced colour and sugar content of berries. Applying 67% of total seasonal N during the pre-bloom to veraison period and the rest after harvest, as against a 50:50 distribution, had a slight, positive effect on shoot growth and bunch size, again apparently caused by better berry set. Indications of a small, positive response of shoot growth to stock P fertilisation were obtained. Potassium applied in this manner was found to be ineffective due to leaching and regular irrigation-applied K fertilisation had to be adopted. Increased crop load had a marked negative effect on shoot growth and grape quality, in the latter case comparable in magnitude to that of too high N levels. A balanced crop load of 22 bunches per vine with a shoot mass of 1,822 kg, was calculated for this trial, but a crop load of 18-19 bunches per vine appeared to be the maximum that still ensured the best quality.
Description
CITATION: Saayman, D. & Lambrechts, J. J. N. 1995. The effect of fertilisation on the performance of barlinka table grapes on sandy soil, Hex River Valley. South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture, 16(2):41-49, doi:10.21548/16-2-2273.
The original publication is available at http://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/sajev
The original publication is available at http://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/sajev
Keywords
Wine and wine making -- South Africa -- Hex River Valley, Grapes -- Fertilizers, Grapes -- Effect of minerals on
Citation
Saayman, D. & Lambrechts, J. J. N. 1995. The effect of fertilisation on the performance of barlinka table grapes on sandy soil, Hex River Valley. South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture, 16(2):41-49, doi:10.21548/16-2-2273