Improved methodology for early and accurate vineyard yield forecasting

Vineyard yield forecasting is a key issue for vintage scheduling and optimization of winemaking op- erations. High errors in yield forecasting can be found in the wine industry, mainly due to the high spatial variability present in vineyards and inadequate sampling methods. Thus, improved methodologies for early and accurate vineyard yield forecasting are needed.

First, a study was conducted to: identify the main sources of spatial variability; and defne an adequate sampling/measuring method. In Maule Valley (Chile, 2018), was addressed 23 vineyard blocks, com- prising fve cultivars (e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon) and four trellis systems (e.g. VSP). 268 experimental units were determined according to satellite image analyses. Multispectral and RGB cameras were used to obtain UAV aerial images and measure vine vigour (VV). Bunch sampling was carried out every two weeks for measuring Brix, bunch weight (BuW), berry weight (BW) and berry number (BN). Bunch counting was performed at fruit set, veraison and harvest, and BuW and BW evolution curves were built.

The paper reproduced in this video-seminar was presented at the International Congress on Grapevine and Wine Sciences - ICGWS (Logroño, Spain, November 7-9, 2018) organized by ICVV.

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