Search Results (1,448)

The quality of wine depends upon the quality of the grapes, which, in turn, are affected by different viticulture aspects and the climate during the grape-growing season. Obtaining wine professionals’ judgments of the intrinsic qualities of selected wine products is a time-consuming task. It is also expensive. Instead of waiting for the wine to be produced, it is better to have an idea of the quality before harvesting, so that wine growers and wine manufacturers can use high-quality grapes. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the use of machine learning aspects in predicting Pinot Noir wine quality and to develop a pipeline which represents the major steps from vineyards to wine quality indices. This study is specifically related to Pinot Noir wines based on experiments conducted in vineyards and grapes produced from those vineyards. Climate factors and other wine production factors affect the wine quality, but our emphasis was to relate viticulture parameters to grape composition and then relate the chemical composition to quality as measured by the experts. This pipeline outputs the predicted yield, values for basic parameters of grape juice composition, values for basic parameters of the wine composition, and quality. We also found that the yield could be predicted because of input data related to the characteristics of the vineyards. Finally, through the creation of a web-based application, we investigated the balance of berry yield and wine quality. Using these tools further developed, vineyard owners should be able to predict the quality of the wine they intend to produce from their vineyards before the grapes are even harvested. Full article

Ant evolutionary success depends mainly on the coordination of colony members, who recognize nestmates based on the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile of their epicuticle. While several studies have examined variations in this crucial factor for colony identity, few have investigated the anthropic impact on CHC profiles, and none have focused on Lasius paralienus. Here, we surveyed the changes in L. paralienus CHC assemblages across agroecosystems and assessed whether different vineyard management influences these profiles. Soil sampling within ant nests and in close surroundings was performed to measure microhabitat variations. Our results show that the cuticular chemical composition of Lasius paralienus is mainly affected by the differences between areas, with an existing but unclear anthropic influence on them. Normalized soil respiration partially explains these interarea variations. Irrespective of the conventional or organic management, human activities in agroecosystems mostly impacted L. paralienus linear alkanes, a specific class of CHCs known to play a major role against dehydration, but also affected the abundance of compounds that can be pivotal for maintaining the colony identity. Our findings suggest that vineyard practices primarily affect features of the ant cuticle, potentially enhancing microclimate adaptations. Still, the potential effects as disruptive factors need further investigation through the implementation of behavioral bioassays. Full article

In the last few years, the agricultural field has undergone a digital transformation, incorporating artificial intelligence systems to make good employment of the growing volume of data from various sources and derive value from it. Within artificial intelligence, Machine Learning is a powerful tool for confronting the numerous challenges of developing knowledge-based farming systems. This study aims to comprehensively review the current scientific literature from 2017 to 2023, emphasizing Machine Learning in agriculture, especially viticulture, to detect and predict grape infections. Most of these studies (88%) were conducted within the last five years. A variety of Machine Learning algorithms were used, with those belonging to the Neural Networks (especially Convolutional Neural Networks) standing out as having the best results most of the time. Out of the list of diseases, the ones most researched were Grapevine Yellow, Flavescence Dorée, Esca, Downy mildew, Leafroll, Pierce’s, and Root Rot. Also, some other fields were studied, namely Water Management, plant deficiencies, and classification. Because of the difficulty of the topic, we collected all datasets that were available about grapevines, and we described each dataset with the type of data (e.g., statistical, images, type of images), along with the number of images where they were mentioned. This work provides a unique source of information for a general audience comprising AI researchers, agricultural scientists, wine grape growers, and policymakers. Among others, its outcomes could be effective in curbing diseases in viticulture, which in turn will drive sustainable gains and boost success. Additionally, it could help build resilience in related farming industries such as winemaking. Full article

Vitis vinifera L. is a commercially important horticultural plant with abundant microbial resources. However, the impact of grape-associated microbiota on grape quality and flavor has been largely overlooked. We integrated volatomics and microbiomics to explore temporal variations in berry volatiles and microbial diversity of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ in Ningxia (NX) and Shanxi (SX), and the correlation between microbial communities and volatiles. A total of 38 and 35 free and bound aroma compounds, respectively, were identified in NX berries and SX berries. For free aroma, these 38 compounds were classified into aldehydes (69%), alcohols (22%), acids (4%), aromatics (4%), terpenes (0.6%), esters (0.37%), and norisoprenoids (0.3%). Similarly, the 35 bound aromas were attributed to aromatics (58%), acids (29%), terpenes (4%), esters (3%), alcohols (2.82%), aldehydes (2.78%), and norisoprenoids (0.4%). Additionally, a total of 616 bacterial genera and 254 fungal genera were detected in all samples from both regions. The results demonstrated that vineyard sites significantly shaped the characteristics of berry volatiles and microbial biogeographic patterns. SX berries exhibited more abundant free aroma and higher microbial diversity than NX berries, with three key taxa (Sphingomonas, Massilia, and Bacillus) identified in the bacterial network. Correlation analysis results highlighted that these key taxa might play an important role in berry-free aroma. This study reveals the crucial role of microbes in shaping grape flavor and uncovers the link between microbial diversity and the regional attributes of grapes and wine. Full article

This paper explores the utilization of biomass resources derived from vineyard residues for producing densified solid biofuels in the Republic of Moldova, with the aim of quantitatively and qualitatively evaluating the residue from vine pruning, focusing on the feasibility of its use as raw material for the production of briquettes and pellets. The methodology includes the analysis of statistical data, as well as experimental investigations conducted at the Scientific Laboratory of Solid Biofuels of the Technical University of Moldova. Waste biomass samples were collected from various vineyards in the different districts of all three regions of the country, focusing on regions with significant plantations. Both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the biomass were assessed, considering the moisture content, calorific value, and ash content. It was found that about 1013 kg/ha of waste biomass is generated from the pruning of technical grape varieties with a net calorific value of 15.6 MJ/kg at a moisture content of 10 wt.% and about 1044 kg/ha with a calorific value of 16.4 MJ/kg from the table ones; both with an average ash content of 3 wt.%. The results indicated that vineyard pruning residues in the Republic of Moldova could provide a substantial biomass source, with an estimated total energy potential of approximately 370 TJ/y (80% located in the Southern region); they also highlighted the need for technological advancements and quality assurance procedures through which to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of biofuel production. The conclusions emphasize the numerous benefits of utilizing viticultural residue, both economically and ecologically, contributing to the sustainable development of the viticulture industry in the Republic of Moldova, as well as environmental protection. Full article

Although situated at the geographic margin of the early modern Atlantic World, the Pacific coast of Peru was an important region in the development of African diasporic material culture. Adopting an interdisciplinary material historical approach, we present the first systematic discussion of the known Afro-Atlantic-style tobacco pipes to be archaeologically recovered in Peru. Eighteen Afro-Atlantic-style tobacco pipes or pipe sherds dating to Peru’s Spanish colonial period have been identified across sites in the coastal cities of Lima and Trujillo and from a vineyard hacienda in rural Nasca. Tobacco pipes are among the most recognized and debated forms of early modern Atlantic African and diasporic expressions of material culture, as such, they present a powerful entry point to understanding the aesthetic consequences of colonial projects and diverse articulations across the Atlantic World. The material history of Afro-Atlantic smoking culture exemplifies how aesthetics moved between localities and developed diasporic entanglements. In addition to the formal analysis and visual description of the pipes, we examine historical documentation and the work of nineteenth-century Afro-Peruvian watercolorist Francisco (Pancho) Fierro to better understand the aesthetics of Afro-Andean smoking culture in Spanish colonial and early Republican Peru. Full article

Background: Berry quality potential from a single vineyard is mainly defined based on some physicochemical parameters and subjective assessments. In this way, berry maturity variability would be a key factor affecting berry quality. Methods: This trial aimed to study the effects of the maturity variability of berries harvested from plots of low (~37,080 kg ha⁻¹), middle (~12,545 kg ha⁻¹), and high (~1476 kg ha⁻¹) quality potential on berry and wine physicochemical parameters of Cabernet Sauvignon in two consecutive seasons. The quality potential of the plots was defined by the winemakers considering mostly yield per hectare and the final price of their wines. Results: The berry heterogeneous maturity of soluble solids and berry weight in Cabernet Sauvignon was confirmed. The coefficient of variability (CV) of berry weight of high-quality plots was high at véraison and decreased as ripening progressed, reaching CV of 19.9% at harvest. Low-quality plots showed the lowest CV of berry weight in all the studied dates, whereas high-quality plots presented the lowest CV in soluble solids content of berries, reaching a 5.1% of variability at harvest. The physicochemical parameters showed that high-quality plots were characterized by high levels of soluble solids and phenolic maturity parameters, whereas samples from low-quality plots reached high berry weight and malic acid content. Berry differences among the physicochemical parameters determined wine quality, which allowed for plots to be classified by their potential quality at harvest. Conclusions: Studying maturity variability of soluble solids and berry weight will allow for sampling to be sectorized within a vineyard to reduce the extremes of maturity that would affect wine quality and productive goals of winemakers. Full article

In the northeastern USA, the distribution of lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) has expanded northward in recent decades, overlapping with the range of blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). Blacklegged ticks carry pathogens for diseases such as Lyme, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis, while bites from lone star ticks cause other diseases and the alpha-gal syndrome allergy. Lone star ticks can become so abundant that they are perceived as more of a public health threat than blacklegged ticks. Using the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, as a case study, we analyzed data from a total of 1265 yard surveys from 2011 to 2024 to document lone star tick presence and subsequent expansion from two peripheral areas, Chappaquiddick and Aquinnah, to all six towns. The timing of lone star tick expansion on Martha’s Vineyard closely matched an increase in tick submissions to a pathogen testing center. At Chappaquiddick, drag sampling carried out in June 2023 and 2024 showed that both tick species were most common at wooded sites, where blacklegged nymphs were somewhat more abundant than lone star nymphs. However, lone star ticks occurred in a wider range of natural and peridomestic habitats than blacklegged nymphs, making them far more challenging for people to avoid and manage. Full article

In the last decade, the application of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in oenology as a natural tool to obtain wine diversification and higher quality has aroused great interest. In this work, three Metschnikowia pulcherrima strains, isolated from a vineyard, were characterised through the evaluation of their main oenological properties, antimicrobial activity, and specific enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, β-lyase, polygalacturonase, and protease). The M. pulcherrima strains did not produce any inhibition against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while they were able to exert an antimicrobial action against some unwanted bacteria and yeasts frequently present in grape must and potentially causing the alteration of wines. After this preliminary screening, M. pulcherrima AS3C1 has been selected to be used in the winemaking of red grape Vitis vinifera cv. Aglianico on a pilot scale. The effect of the sequential inoculation of M. pulcherrima AS3C1 with a commercial strain of S. cerevisiae was verified using for comparison a single inoculum with S. cerevisiae and a spontaneous fermentation. Our results showed a higher concentration of anthocyanins and catechins in wines obtained by the sequential inoculation of M. pulcherrima AS3C1 and S. cerevisiae. On the basis of the data obtained, M. pulcherrima AS3C1 possesses an enzymatic profile and some oenological properties that could contribute positively to the definition of the chemical composition of wines, suggesting its possible use for red winemaking processes. Full article

Soil water balance (SWB) in woody crops is sometimes difficult to estimate with one-dimensional models because these crops do not completely cover the soil and usually have a deep root system, particularly when cropped under rainfed conditions in a Mediterranean climate. In this study, the actual crop evapotranspiration (ET_{c act}) is estimated with the soil water balance model SIMDualKc which uses the dual-K_c approach (relating the fraction of soil cover with the crop coefficients) to improve the estimation of the water requirements of a rainfed vineyard, using data from a deep soil profile. The actual basal crop coefficient (K_{cb act}) obtained using the SIMDualKc model was compared with the K_{cb act} estimated using the A&P approach, which is a simplified approach based on measurements of the fraction of ground cover and crop height. Spectral vegetation indices (VIs) derived from Landsat-5 satellite data were used to determine the fraction of ground cover (f_{c VI}) and thus the density coefficient (K_d). The SIMDualKc model was calibrated using available soil water (ASW) measurements down to a depth of 1.85 m, which significantly improved the conditions for using an SWB estimation model. The test of the model was performed using a different ASW dataset. A good agreement between simulated and field-measured ASW was observed for both data sets along the crop season, with RMSE < 12.0 mm and NRMSE < 13%. The calibrated K_cb values were 0.15, 0.60, and 0.52 for the initial, mid-season, and end season, respectively. The ratio between ET_{c act} and crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) was quite low between veraison and maturity (mid-season), corresponding to 36%, indicating that the rainfall was not sufficient to satisfy the vineyard’s water requirements. VIs used to compute f_{c VI} were unable to fully track the plants’ conditions during water stress. However, ingestion of data from remote sensing (RS) showed promising results that could be used to support decision making in irrigation scheduling. Further studies on the use of the A&P approach using RS data are required. Full article

Fruit crops under soil conservational management might sequester carbon (C) in soils and mitigate greenhouse gases emissions. Using grape pomace residues as soil amendment holds promise for sustainable viticulture. However, its actual capability to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) is unknown, especially in subtropical climates. This research aims to investigate whether grape pomace compost and vermicompost can increase SOC, total N (TN), and C and N stocks in subtropical vineyards. Two vineyards located in Veranópolis, in South Brazil, one cultivated with ‘Isabella’ and the other with ‘Chardonnay’ varieties, were annually amended with these residues for three years. We quantified SOC and TN in each condition in different soil layers, as well as C and N content in two different granulometric fractions: mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) and particulate organic matter (POM). C and N stocks were also calculated. Despite potential benefits, neither treatment enhanced SOC, its fractions, or C stocks. In fact, vermicompost was rapidly mineralized and depleted SOC and its fractions in the 0.0 to 0.05 m layers of the ‘Isabella’ vineyard. Our findings indicate that the tested grape pomace residues were unable to promote C sequestration in subtropical vineyards after a three-year period. Full article

From the vineyard to the bottle, the winemaking process generates a variety of by-products, such as vinasses, spent filter cakes, grape pomace, grape lees, and vine shoots. To avoid damaging the environment and to reduce economic impacts, the by-products and wastes must be handled, disposed of, or recycled properly. This review focuses on an environmentally friendly approach to the management and added value of winemaking by-products, such as grape pomace or grape marc, by using vermicomposting. Vermicompost is a well-known organic fertilizer with potential uses in soil bioremediation and the conservation of soil health. To achieve environmental neutral agriculture practices, vermicomposting is a promising tool for resilient and sustainable viticulture and winemaking. Vermicomposting is a simple, highly beneficial, and waste-free method of converting organic waste into compost with high agronomic value and a sustainable strategy in line with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) stand as a prominent cause of injuries in modern agriculture. Scientific research has highlighted a causal link between MSDs and awkward working postures. Several methods for the evaluation of working postures, and related risks, have been developed such as the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Nevertheless, these methods are generally applied with manual measurements on pictures or videos. As a consequence, their applicability could be scarce, and their effectiveness could be limited. The use of wearable sensors to collect kinetic data could facilitate the use of these methods for risk assessment. Nevertheless, the existing system may not be usable in the agricultural and vine sectors because of its cost, robustness and versatility to the various anthropometric characteristics of workers. The aim of this study was to develop a technology capable of collecting accurate data about uncomfortable postures and repetitive movements typical of vine workers. Specific objectives of the project were the development of a low-cost, robust, and wearable device, which could measure data about wrist angles and workers’ hand positions during possible viticultural operations. Furthermore, the project was meant to test its use to evaluate incongruous postures and repetitive movements of workers’ hand positions during pruning operations in vineyard. The developed sensor had 3-axis accelerometers and a gyroscope, and it could monitor the positions of the hand–wrist–forearm musculoskeletal system when moving. When such a sensor was applied to the study of a real case, such as the pruning of a vines, it permitted the evaluation of a simulated sequence of pruning and the quantification of the levels of risk induced by this type of agricultural activity. Full article

Considering the demand for the optimization of the technical factors of spraying for a greater area coverage and minimal drift, field tests were carried out to determine the interaction between the area coverage, number of droplets per cm², droplet diameter, and drift. The studies were conducted with two different types of sprayers (axial and radial fan) in an apple orchard and a vineyard. The technical factors of the spraying interactions were nozzle type (ISO code 015, code 02, and code 03), working speed (6 and 8 km h⁻¹), and spraying norm (250–400 L h⁻¹). The airflow of both sprayers was adjusted to the plantation leaf mass and the working pressure was set for each repetition separately. A method using water-sensitive paper and a digital image analysis was used to collect data on coverage factors. The data from the field research were processed using four machine learning models: quantile random forest (QRF), support vector regression with radial basis function kernel (SVR), Bayesian Regularization for Feed-Forward Neural Networks (BRNN), and Ensemble Machine Learning (ENS). Nozzle type had the highest predictive value for the properties of number of droplets per cm² (axial = 69.1%; radial = 66.0%), droplet diameter (axial = 30.6%; radial = 38.2%), and area coverage (axial = 24.6%; radial = 34.8%). Spraying norm had the greatest predictive value for area coverage (axial = 43.3%; radial = 26.9%) and drift (axial = 72.4%; radial = 62.3%). Greater coverage of the treated area and a greater number of droplets were achieved with the radial sprayer, as well as less drift. The accuracy of the machine learning model for the prediction of the treated surface showed a satisfactory accuracy for most properties (R² = 0.694–0.984), except for the estimation of the droplet diameter for an axial sprayer (R² = 0.437–0.503). Full article

Ceresini treehoppers are present in northern California vineyard ecosystems, including the closely related Spissistilus and Tortistilus (Hemiptera: Membracidae). These membracids are not direct pests of wine grapes, but S. festinus is a vector of grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV). No information is available on the ability of Tortistilus spp. to transmit GRBV. In this study, Tortistilus were collected on yellow panel cards across 102 vineyard sites and surrounding areas in Napa Valley, California, USA in 2021–2023. Specimens were morphotyped, sexed and tested for GRBV ingestion and acquisition by multiplex PCR or qPCR. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial sequence of mt-COI and ITS gene fragments of a subset of 40 Tortistilus specimens revealed clustering in a monophyletic clade with T. wickhami with the former barcode sequence. Only 6% (48/758) of the T. wickhami tested positive for GRBV, but none of the heads with salivary glands (0%, 0/50) of the dissected specimens tested positive for GRBV, indicating no virus acquisition. In contrast, half of the dissected heads with salivary glands of S. festinus (52%, 12/23), from the same collection vineyard sites, tested positive for GRBV. Together, our findings confirmed the presence of T. wickhami in northern California vineyards and suggested a dubious role of this treehopper as a vector of GRBV. Full article