Precision agriculture to know intra-parcel variability and optimize vineyard management

Croatina is a grape variety characterized by reduced basal fertility, which is accentuated in low vigor conditions. In this study, reduced shoot fertility is observed in areas of low vigor (BV). Therefore, although Croatina is a grape variety less responsive to changes in vigor than other varieties, site-specific management emerges as an element to optimize its production potential.

In BV areas, nitrogen deficiency was found to affect the vines' vegetative-productive responses. However, mineral element supply, is not the only factor influencing vineyard performance. Water nutrition is also critical as it is necessary for good mineral nutrition to be supported by adequate soil water availability.
To increase the profitability of the vineyard with the same/reduced inputs, following the identification of areas of different vigor, it is essential to carry out a validation of the vigor map by evaluating the vegetative-productive performance of the vines and compositional performance of the musts.

The results obtained will make it possible to define the vigor class that best achieves the set oenological objective. In a second phase, site-specific management protocols capable of "converging" variability toward the optimal vigor level will be developed, laying the groundwork for future variable-rate applications.