by Kobus Hunter, Neels Volschenk & Roberto Zorer | 1 Sep, 2018 | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
Climatic conditions, such as temperature, wind and humidity, and valley floor/edaphic conditions, such as soil water availability and drainage, often force the establishment of vineyards towards complex terroirs where aspect, slope, relief, erosion and execution of...
by Boredi Silas Chidi, Zovuyo Notshokovu, Mpho Mafata & Francois van Jaarsveld | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
Maintaining the chemical composition of a wine is essential for the wine industry. Although the sugar-acid balance of a wine is of primary sensory importance, individual acids and oenological variables are equally important. Introduction Méthode Cap Classique...
by Roberto Zorer, Neels Volschenk & Kobus Hunter | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
Several web-tools, available from the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) online service, are freely available for use in viticulture. The Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS ©European Communities, 2001 – 2017) was developed from...
by Kwaku Achiano | 1 Aug, 2018 | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
The aim of this study was to establish whether the yellow delta trap used for monitoring male mealybug numbers can also effectively be used to monitor mealybug parasitoids. Farmers use yellow delta traps (Figure 1a) to monitor male vine mealybugs (Planococcus ficus)...
by Danie van Schalkwyk & André Schmidt | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
This article is a follow-up on the articles regarding lesser-known red wine grape cultivars that were published (Van Schalkwyk & Schmidt, 2016a & 2016b). According to Sawis statistics (2016), 106 wine grape cultivars are planted in South Africa. Chenin blanc,...
by Anél Blignaut | Oenology research, Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
To effectively realise and respond to the opportunities and challenges posed by climate change, the Confronting Climate Change (CCC) Project was started in 2009 as a strategic cross-industry initiative aimed at supporting the South African fruit and wine sectors’...
by Reckson Mulidzi, Philisiwe Augustine, Minette Naudé & Lourens van Schoor | 1 Jul, 2018 | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
This article gives guidelines that can be used by wineries or composting plants to make compost using wine filter wastes, together with grape and vineyard materials. The guidelines are based on results from scientific field composting trials that were conducted over a...
by Roleen Carstens | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
There is a great need in the South African vineyard industry for a control strategy to minimise the spread of leafroll, especially in newly planted vineyards. Previous research by Prof Gerhard Pietersen has shown that the life span of a vineyard can be greatly...
by Lucinda Heyns & Gerhard Pietersen | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
What causes leafroll virus? [Fact sheet 1.1]* • Leafroll virus is caused by leafroll associated virus -3 (GLRaV-3). Other types of leafroll associated viruses exist, but are seldom found in South Africa. [* This number indicates which number IGWS fact sheet can be...
by Albert Strever | 1 Jun, 2018 | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
A respectable grapevine yield, in combination with optimally ripe, quality fruit, is of paramount importance towards the goal of sustainable grape farming. Crop thinning is applied widely in the industry, due to a belief that a lower crop load will always lead to...
by Dariusz Goszczynski | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
Grapevine leafroll (GLD) and Rugose wood (RW) are two diseases of great concern for grapevine industries worldwide. GLD causes degeneration of phloem cells, preventing the translocation of synthesised carbohydrates from the leaves. The disease delays maturation and...
by Johan Fourie | 1 May, 2018 | Viticulture research, Winetech Technical
Uncontrolled weeds may reduce crop yield by as much as 80%. Introduction Weeds that are difficult to control frequently do not depend on above-ground seeds alone to spread, but can also re-establish itself by means of rhizomes, tubers and subterraneous flowers...
