Soil Mapping and Soil Mapping and Vineyard Management Vineyard Management

Effectiveness and Effectiveness and Efficiency!Efficiency!

Robert L. Wample, PhDRobert L. Wample, PhDSoil and Topography Information, LLCSoil and Topography Information, LLC

“Because wine is so chemically complex, it is very “place specific”: grapes of the same variety grown in different areas produce wines with varying sensory qualities ….” Dr. Ross, Washington State University, 2010

Terroir: The Role of Geology, Climate and Culture in the production of wine grapes

Factors that Contribute to Fruit Factors that Contribute to Fruit Maturity and QualityMaturity and Quality

ClimateClimate– Temperature (max, min, diurnal, Temperature (max, min, diurnal,

seasonal)seasonal) Photosynthesis / RespirationPhotosynthesis / Respiration EvapotranspirationEvapotranspiration PhenologyPhenology

– Bud break, shoot growth, flowering, fruit set, Bud break, shoot growth, flowering, fruit set, veraison…veraison…

Secondary metabolitesSecondary metabolites– Anthocyanins, flavor componentsAnthocyanins, flavor components

Factors that Contribute to Fruit Factors that Contribute to Fruit Maturity and QualityMaturity and Quality

– Precipitation and atmospheric Precipitation and atmospheric moisture (VPD; RH)moisture (VPD; RH) Total per seasonTotal per season SeasonalitySeasonality

– SoilSoil Type (water holding capacity, pests and Type (water holding capacity, pests and

diseases)diseases) DepthDepth VariabilityVariability

Factors that Contribute to Fruit Factors that Contribute to Fruit Maturity and QualityMaturity and Quality

ManagementManagement– PruningPruning

Timing, severity, (hand, Timing, severity, (hand, mechanical, minimal)mechanical, minimal)

– Crop loadCrop load Yield: pruning weight Yield: pruning weight

ratio; yield: leaf arearatio; yield: leaf area

– IrrigationIrrigation Amount, timing, Amount, timing,

method (efficiency)method (efficiency)

– NutritionNutrition

Factors that Contribute to Fruit Factors that Contribute to Fruit Maturity and QualityMaturity and Quality

ManagementManagement– Canopy managementCanopy management

Trellis and training Trellis and training systemsystem

Timing and level of Timing and level of leaf / shoot removalleaf / shoot removal

– Crop load Crop load managementmanagement Timing and degree of Timing and degree of

fruit removalfruit removal

– Disease and Pest Disease and Pest ControlControl

22.80

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23.20

23.40

23.60

23.80

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24.20

24.40

24.60

24.80

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25.20

25.40

25.60

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How do you achieve grape and How do you achieve grape and wine quality?wine quality?

LuckLuck ManagementManagement

– In the vineyardIn the vineyard Plant right (location, cultivar, rootstock)Plant right (location, cultivar, rootstock) Trellis/training system (fit for cv. and climate)Trellis/training system (fit for cv. and climate) Pruning (why do we prune?)Pruning (why do we prune?) Crop adjustment (table grapes, wine grapes)Crop adjustment (table grapes, wine grapes) Irrigation and nutrition managementIrrigation and nutrition management Pest and Disease controlPest and Disease control

– In the wineryIn the winery Harvest decisions (inputs?)Harvest decisions (inputs?) Brix, pH, TA, “flavor”, color, uniformity, hang time?Brix, pH, TA, “flavor”, color, uniformity, hang time? YeastYeast Temperature, nutrition ,pump overs,Temperature, nutrition ,pump overs, Oak Oak

Determine the long-term and short-Determine the long-term and short-term factors we can use to manage term factors we can use to manage grape quality.grape quality.

Depending upon the size and location Depending upon the size and location of the vineyard, the uniformity of fruit of the vineyard, the uniformity of fruit maturity and quality within the maturity and quality within the vineyard is heavily affected by the vineyard is heavily affected by the variability that has been identified, variability that has been identified, only some of which can be managed. only some of which can be managed.

How do you achieve grape and How do you achieve grape and wine quality?wine quality?

What are our options?What are our options? Identify the dominant factors influencing Identify the dominant factors influencing

fruit quality in each vineyard.fruit quality in each vineyard. Determine which of these can be effectively Determine which of these can be effectively

manipulated to improve fruit quality. manipulated to improve fruit quality. Establish short and long-term management Establish short and long-term management

practices to produce higher quality fruit.practices to produce higher quality fruit. Establish harvest criteria with the winery to Establish harvest criteria with the winery to

maximize fruit and wine quality. maximize fruit and wine quality.

Reality!Reality!

Seasonal / annual variability in weather Seasonal / annual variability in weather can overwhelm our management efforts.can overwhelm our management efforts.

Economics of management costs versus Economics of management costs versus prices paid for fruit make some practices prices paid for fruit make some practices prohibitive.prohibitive.

Variability within a vineyard, Variability within a vineyard, predominantly due to non-uniform soils predominantly due to non-uniform soils (horizontially and vertically) significantly (horizontially and vertically) significantly inhibits our ability to achieve uniformly inhibits our ability to achieve uniformly high quality fruit. high quality fruit.

GoalsGoals ProactiveProactive

– Understand the source of variability in your vineyard Understand the source of variability in your vineyard (yield and quality)(yield and quality)

– Determine the potential for managing the variables Determine the potential for managing the variables to achieve more uniform yield and qualityto achieve more uniform yield and quality

ReactiveReactive– Develop a methodology to determine quality and Develop a methodology to determine quality and

yield prior to harvestyield prior to harvest– Develop a system to differentially manage the field Develop a system to differentially manage the field

to improve yield and quality and capture as much of to improve yield and quality and capture as much of the value as possiblethe value as possible

What we know and what we What we know and what we don’tdon’t Can you describe the soils in your vineyardCan you describe the soils in your vineyard

Depth, nutrient holding capacity, pH, rootzone Depth, nutrient holding capacity, pH, rootzone plant available water, infiltration rate?plant available water, infiltration rate?

How many of you have perfectly uniform How many of you have perfectly uniform growth/productivity on all your fields?growth/productivity on all your fields?

How many of you have tried to “fix” the non-How many of you have tried to “fix” the non-uniform problems?uniform problems?

Do you know what the problem(s) is/are?Do you know what the problem(s) is/are? If you don’t know what the problem is, how If you don’t know what the problem is, how

can you fix it?can you fix it?

How does this information How does this information relate to being more relate to being more

Proactive?Proactive? Vineyard planning for qualityVineyard planning for quality Better nutrient and irrigation planning and Better nutrient and irrigation planning and

managementmanagement Potential prediction of quality zonesPotential prediction of quality zones More efficient sampling for differential More efficient sampling for differential

harvest, soil analysis and soil moisture harvest, soil analysis and soil moisture measurementsmeasurements

Smarter sampling for plant stressSmarter sampling for plant stress Easier “streaming” of fruit delivery at the Easier “streaming” of fruit delivery at the

winery (yield prediction for each quality)winery (yield prediction for each quality)

Reactive Decisions ??Reactive Decisions ??Surface Layer Thickness and Anthocyanin Concentration

Subsurface Layer Clay Percentage and Anthocyanin Concentration

Merjan: *Madera * 80 acres * MP * Drip

PC AnalysisPC Analysis All variables significant at the 0.05 All variables significant at the 0.05

confidence levelconfidence level High anthocyanin High anthocyanin is predicted by is predicted by

deeper soil profiles deeper soil profiles with a thicker with a thicker subsurface layer, subsurface layer, decreased soil decreased soil moisture in the profilemoisture in the profile and compaction and compaction occurrence at a deeper depth in the occurrence at a deeper depth in the profile.profile.

High Brix is predicted by High Brix is predicted by shallower soil shallower soil profilesprofiles with a thicker subsurface layer, with a thicker subsurface layer, thinner surface layer,thinner surface layer, increased soil increased soil moisture throughout the profile moisture throughout the profile and and greater compaction in the profile.greater compaction in the profile.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon2006 Cabernet SauvignonTwin Creek WinesTwin Creek Wines High High LowLow

Tons: Tons: 39.65 39.65 39.89 39.89Brix: Brix: 24.3 24.3 24.5 24.5TA: TA: 0.59 0.59 0.60 0.60Anthocyanin: Anthocyanin: 0.79 0.79 0.57 mg/g 0.57 mg/gColor intensityColor intensity 1.336 1.336 1.0211.021Total Phenols (Folin C)Total Phenols (Folin C) 19511951 14601460 flavanoid/non flavflavanoid/non flav 1629/3221629/322 1100/3601100/360

Ethanol: Ethanol: 13.92 13.92 13.6513.65

Note: Note: Information provided here should not be considered as a Information provided here should not be considered as a reference for other cultivars or for this cultivar from other reference for other cultivars or for this cultivar from other

regions.regions.

The Soil Information SystemThe Soil Information System

Soil and Topography Information, LLC (STI)Soil and Topography Information, LLC (STI)

Daniel James Rooney, Daniel James Rooney, Ph.D.Ph.D.

Uses sensors such as EC or GPR, and a survey grade Uses sensors such as EC or GPR, and a survey grade GPS unit to evaluate spatial variability of the soil and GPS unit to evaluate spatial variability of the soil and topography across the site.topography across the site.

With proprietary software, smart sampling locations With proprietary software, smart sampling locations are identified for further analysis. are identified for further analysis.

SIS™ Step 1: Surfer SIS™ Step 1: Surfer Bulk variability and topography across fieldBulk variability and topography across field

Uses a hydraulic push system to push probe-based Uses a hydraulic push system to push probe-based sensors into the soil sensors into the soil at predetermined locations at predetermined locations for for

detailed analysis through the profile. detailed analysis through the profile.

SIS™ Step 2: DiverSIS™ Step 2: DiverVertical variabilityVertical variability

Sleeve tip ratio resistivity moisture

Proprietary software analyzes data from steps 1 and 2 Proprietary software analyzes data from steps 1 and 2 and identifies locations for collection of soil samples.and identifies locations for collection of soil samples.

SIS™ methodology enables a “smart sampling SIS™ methodology enables a “smart sampling protocol”, insuring the most accurate analysis of soil protocol”, insuring the most accurate analysis of soil chemical characteristics.chemical characteristics.

Also provides for future sampling and evaluationAlso provides for future sampling and evaluation. .

SIS™ Step 3: Soil CoreSIS™ Step 3: Soil CoreSmart Chemistry SamplingSmart Chemistry Sampling

Proprietary correlation and geo-Proprietary correlation and geo-processing algorithms transform data processing algorithms transform data into over 60 physical and chemical into over 60 physical and chemical soil properties.soil properties.

SIS™ Step 4: AnalysisSIS™ Step 4: AnalysisData processing and characterizationData processing and characterization

Targeted Soil PhysicalTargeted Soil Physical– TextureTexture MoistureMoisture Root Limiting MoistureRoot Limiting Moisture

Soil TextureSoil Texture Moisture (observed) Moisture (observed) Root limiting moistureRoot limiting moisture Clay PercentageClay Percentage Field Capacity Field Capacity Root limiting field capacityRoot limiting field capacity Sand PercentageSand Percentage Potential plant available water Potential plant available water Root limiting plant available Root limiting plant available

waterwater

– CompactionCompaction Root Zone MoistureRoot Zone Moisture Physical IndexPhysical Index

CompactionCompaction Root zone moisture Root zone moisture Drainage potential Drainage potential Degree of root restrictionDegree of root restriction Root zone field capacity Root zone field capacity Depth of root restrictionDepth of root restriction Root zone plant available water Root zone plant available water

– Horizon BoundariesHorizon Boundaries Root zone permanent wilting pointRoot zone permanent wilting point Horizon bottom depthHorizon bottom depth Root zone saturation Root zone saturation Horizon thicknessHorizon thickness Root zone observed moisture status Root zone observed moisture status

Root zone saturated hydraulic Root zone saturated hydraulic conductivityconductivity

Topographic and SiteTopographic and Site– TopographicTopographic Topographic (continued)Topographic (continued) SiteSite

ElevationElevation Surface water convergence index Surface water convergence index Orthophoto Orthophoto with site boundarywith site boundary

SlopeSlope Planiform curvature Planiform curvature Overview of Overview of all site boundariesall site boundaries

AspectAspect Profile curvature Profile curvature Flow direction with elevationFlow direction with elevation Solar radiation Solar radiation

SIS™ map products are available as GIS output in numerous formats: ESRI Grid, ESRI Shapefile, MapInfo SIS™ map products are available as GIS output in numerous formats: ESRI Grid, ESRI Shapefile, MapInfo Grid, MapInfo Tab, ASCII Frid, CAD DXF, GeoBMP, GeoTIFF, GeoJPEG, as well as others available upon Grid, MapInfo Tab, ASCII Frid, CAD DXF, GeoBMP, GeoTIFF, GeoJPEG, as well as others available upon request.request.

SIS™ Information ProductsSIS™ Information ProductsData is delivered as Data is delivered as SIS™ soil maps SIS™ soil maps

SIS™ Information ProductsSIS™ Information ProductsData is delivered as Data is delivered as SIS™ soil maps SIS™ soil maps

Targeted Chemistry/Fertility (via laboratory)◦ Fertility Fertility (cont) Salinity

Boron (deficiency) Organic Matter Boron (toxicity)

Calcium pH Chloride

Calcium-magnesium ration (calculated) Phosphorus Exchangeable Sodium

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) Potassium Sodic soil (calculated)

Copper Potassium magnesium ratio Sodium

Iron Sodium Sodium adsorption ratio

Magnesium Soluble salts Soluble salts

Manganese Sulfate

Nitrate – N Zinc Fertility Index

Nutrient holding capacity

Specialty◦ Fertility Management Physical Features Texture – other

Gypsum application rate Depth to moisture ratio Coarse fragments percentage

Lime application rate (raise pH) Depth to sand lens Compaction Remediation

Sulfur application ratio (lower pH) Depth to clay layer Ripping Depth – root restriction

Calcium application rate Depth to bottom of plow pan

Magnesium application rate Depth to restrictive layer Site FeaturesPhosphorus application rate Resistivity Feature Maps

Phosphorus availability OtherManagement classification Mobile Geospatial View &

Nitrogen application rate Mapping Tool

Potassium application rate

Surface = 22 inches

Surface = 22 inches

34.5 acres 80th percentilemanagementPer acre Total

SIS fertility management

Per Acre Total

Field mapping and recommendation

$30 $1,036

$120 $4,140

Soil amendment productsLime, urea, phosphate, boron, zinc

$410 $14,145

$259 $8,934

VRT application N/A N/A $20 $698

Total cost $440 $15,181

$399 $13,772

SIS savings $71 $1,409

Costs – fertility assessment and Costs – fertility assessment and remediationremediation

Hypothetical 200 ac80th percentilemanagementPer acre Total

SIS fertility management

Per Acre Total

Field mapping and recommendation

$30 $6,000

$86 $17,200

Soil amendment productsLime, urea, phosphate, boron, zinc

$410 $82,000

$259 $51,800

VRT application N/A N/A $20 $4000

Total cost $440 $88,000

$365 $73,000

SIS savings $75 $15,000

Meeting Our Sustainability Meeting Our Sustainability GoalsGoals

Ecosystem Management

Education, Training and Team Building

Soil Management

Water Management

Vineyard Establishment

Pest Management

Lodi Rules Requirements

Thank you!Thank you!

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