Adaptación agroecológica de la vid en los Terroirs costeros de Uruguay

Resumen de tesis doctoral

Abstract

The 93 % of Uruguayan vineyards are located in a narrow coastal area by the Río de la Plata (River Plate). The aim of this research was to describe the physical-settings of different units of wine’s terroir in the south coast of Uruguay and to analyze its influence over the variable response of the plant and the grape. The research was carried out from 2011 to 2014 in non-irrigated commercial vineyards of Tannat variety. Nine plots of land were selected in six regions along the coast. The weather information was gathered from a conventional weather stations and temperature sensors which were placed on the vineyards. Daily solar irradiation was estimated through satellite images, while traditional methods were applied in the study of the soil. The response of the plant was studied, considering different variables such as vigor, performance, composition and health of the grape. A sea and a land breeze presence were confirmed. Wind patterns were identified and it was also determined their effect on the temperature of the canopy within a maximum distance from the coast of 29,2 km. Spatial and temporal variation of the solar irradiation was correlated with meteorological variables and climate Índices which are of interest to the field of the viticulture. The joint study of the weather, the soil and the relation sink-source led to the distinction of the relative influence of each factor over the response of the plant and the functioning of the terroir. The synthesis of primary components of the berry shows a higher dependence on the weather and the soil, whereas secondary components present a higher dependence on the weather and the element sink-source. The supply of water coming from the soil represents a key factor for the proper functioning of the terroir The results of this investigation enable the adjustment of the technical itineraries of the terroir according to characteristics of the physical-setting and the production target.