February 21, 2024
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Proceedings Paper

Cluster microclimate, canopy management and its influence on the berry (size and composition) quality

Publicated to: Bio Web Of Conferences. 68 - 2023-12-06 68(), DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/20236801027

Authors:

de la Fuente M; Escott C; del Fresno JM; Loira I; Lissarrague JR; Baeza P; Morata A
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Affiliations

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Author

Abstract

Sunlight and microclimate inside the clusters' zone are key factors in berry development and must composition. Plant geometry and training system should be joined with a proper sunlight and temperature cluster microclimate and, also in the rest of the plant. Berry temperature can vary between 2 and 10 ºC or even more in inner clusters, depending on their exposure (Spayd et al., 2002). Sunlight, air ventilation within the canopy, temperature cluster and microclimate are affected by the exposure and radiation percentage received by grapes during its growth and maturation period (Deloire and Hunter 2005). In Mediterranean conditions (warm and dry climate), the use of porous systems may help plants establish a better leaf distribution inside this area (de la Fuente et al., 2015), providing more space and enhancing certain physiological processes, both in leaves (photosynthesis, ventilation, transpiration) and berries (growth and maturation). Grapes exposed to direct radiation are more sensitive to ripening and they can even suffer a dehydration process in the Mediterranean regions, where the temperature during the ripening after midday is frequently between 30-35 ºC or higher than 40 ºC (de la Fuente et al., 2015). A key point for well microclimate management inside the canopy is heat flux control, which is usually generated by three factors: surface area (SA) to PAR (direct or indirect) radiation; intensity or thermal value (related to the temperature) and time of exposure (de la Fuente, 2009; de la Fuente et al., 2013). Sprawl systems are non-positioned systems where vegetation is in multidirectional directions. Therefore, as sun position changes along the day, some leaves are first shaded and then others, so the sun leaf exposure decreases (Gutiérrez et al., 2021). The study was conducted in D.O. Uclés vineyards (lat. 39º50'8” N; long. 3º09'48.6” W; elevation 746 m above sea level) during the 2020 season, in cv. Tempranillo. The trial was designed with two training system: Vertical Shoot Positioned (VSP) and Sprawl (SP). Berry sampling was done every three days within the final 15 days before the estimated harvest date. A single sample comprised 100 berries collected from the clusters of the 10 selected vines in each block. Weight, size, must composition (reducing sugar, pH, acidity, volatile acidity, etc.) and skin composition (total and acylated monomeric pigments, TPI) were analysed. Regarding the berry composition, SP accumulated larger concentration of reducing sugars (+7.4%). No statistical differences were observed in the remaining oenological parameters measured in the berries between treatments. Nevertheless, inside total pigments and color parameters, TPI values reached significantly higher (+40%) in the SP vs VSP treatments. In the total concentration of pigments (including the acylated fraction) and pH, no differences were founded. Berry's weight and size showed some relevant differences between treatments. During the end maturity-harvest period, the berry weight (12-11%) and berry size (6-9%) were higher in SP treatment compared to VSP. These results suggest that the SP systems can induce an increment of reducing sugars, and TPI and also, can modulate the berry weight and size, helping to control overripening and berry dehydration processes. Therefore, sprawl systems (SP) represent an alternative to VSP systems in warm areas for achieving an increment of pigments, as well as for better control of the accumulation of reducing sugars, without compromising the harvest yield (higher berry weight and size).
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Keywords

Berry compositionBerry sizeSprawlTempranilloTraining system

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Bio Web Of Conferences, Q4 Agency Scopus (SJR), its regional focus and specialization in , give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-12-21:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 3 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Additionally, the work has been submitted to a journal classified as Diamond in relation to this type of editorial policy.
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (DE LA FUENTE LLOREDA, MARIO) .

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