Italian Study Highlights Effective Techniques for Protecting Grapevines

Innovative Irrigation Strategies to Combat Climate Change in Vineyards

2025-01-17

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Sauvignon blanc vineyard with climate-controlled irrigation
Sauvignon blanc vineyard with climate-controlled irrigation

A study conducted by researchers at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy has explored innovative solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change on vineyards. Led by Danesi Beatrice, Bonini Paolo, and Poni Stefano, the SOS-VIGNE project evaluated the effectiveness of a multifunctional irrigation system designed to protect vines from late frosts, overheating, sunburn, and water stress—problems increasingly affecting the wine industry.

The study focused on the impact of these methods on the quality and composition of grapes, using automated technology and advanced irrigation techniques implemented at the vineyards of Società Agricola Cantina Colle del Podio. Results obtained after a year of testing offer insights into more sustainable management under extreme climate conditions.

One of the techniques analyzed, anti-frost irrigation, uses the latent heat released when water freezes to protect sensitive buds at critical temperatures below 2°C. Although no late frosts occurred during the testing period, the system demonstrated potential to prevent damage if temperatures fell below established thresholds.

Emergency irrigation was employed to offset high water demand caused by evaporation on hot days. This method accounted for factors such as soil texture and water competition from other plants in the vineyard, allowing for efficient and controlled water distribution.

The study also tested climate-controlled irrigation using misting devices mounted at the cluster level to reduce grape temperatures on extremely hot days. This method worked through intermittent spraying cycles, quickly cooling grapes and basal leaves without over-wetting the vegetation, which helped prevent diseases. Automation of the system, based on temperature and humidity parameters, was key to its effectiveness during the 44 days it was activated in summer.

Manual leaf removal was also incorporated to expose clusters to sunlight, a practice that increased the concentration of protective compounds in the grapes. However, prolonged or sudden exposure to sunlight raised the risk of sunburn, highlighting the need for adjustments in future experiments.

Together, the strategies analyzed in this project offer new possibilities for producers to address vineyard challenges posed by climate change while minimizing environmental impact and optimizing crop quality. The researchers emphasize that additional studies are needed to refine these methods and adapt them to different weather conditions and vineyard types.

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