Multiple Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Grape Vegetative Growth, Berry Quality and Pest Development in Mediterranean Vineyards

Abstract

Nitrogen is a key macronutrient for the quantitative and qualitative yield of grapes; in addition, it influences the development and reproduction of grape pests. The multiple effects of different nitrogen rates were investigated on the red berry cultivar ‘Carignano’ and the grape pest Planococcus ficus in a two-year field trial. Different amounts of ammonium nitrate were compared: 0, 80 and 160 Units ha−1 for mineral nitrogen. The amount of nitrogen fertilization supplied influenced the nitrogen status of vines and increased the pruning weight and leaf area, as well as the overall grape yield, by increasing the cluster weight. However, doubling the nitrogen rate did not generally increase the vegetative and productive parameters of grapevines. At harvest, nitrogen supply did not influence the anthocyanin content, tritatable acidity, and soluble solids, although the latter parameter showed a clear, yet not significant, decreasing trend. Planococcus ficus exhibited higher fecundity, survival and shorter development time on grapevines provided with nitrogen, whereas its fertility was unaffected by nitrogen fertilization. Ultimately, nitrogen had a direct and positive effect on grape yield and vine mealybug development, highlighting the importance of integrated cultural and pest control practices to promote grape production.

Functional Foods and Their Implications for Health Promotion

“…For instance, with regard to fertilization schemes, application of nitrogen fertilization decreased total anthocyanin and sugar contents in cranberry (Jamaly et al, 2021). This was in agreement with the results obtained by Cocco et al (2021) who showed that nitrogen fertilization decreased the anthocyanin content, organic acid content, and sugar content of grapes (Cocco et al, 2021). Similarly, Rupp and Tränkle (2000) reported decreased amount of vitamin C and sugars in redcurrant following excess nitrogen fertilization (Rupp & Tränkle, 2000), while nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizations did not produce significant changes in sugar, organic acids, nitrogen, magnesium, and zinc levels in blueberries (Milo sevi c et al., 2018).…”

Effect of foliar calcium and nitrogen treatments on yield and fruit quality of table grapes cv. ‘Cardinal‘

“…Numerous researchers have extensively studied the benefit of nitrogen in grapevine nutrition. The positive influence of nitrogen fertilizing was confirmed by Cocco et al (2021), Delgado et al (2004), Gay-Eynard (2000), etc. According the Cocco et al (2021), nitrogen had a direct and positive effect on grape yield and vine mealybug development, highlighting the importance of integrated crop management and pest control practices to promote grape production.…”

Standardization of Nutrient Requirement for Enhancing Yield and Quality in Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Var. Red Globe

“…The highest fruit yield was recorded in T2 (17.25 and 15.51 kg/vine) followed by T9 (16.40 and 14.83 kg/vine) while the lowest fruit yield was recorded in T1 (6.48 and 5.60 kg/vine). The application of nitrogen fertilizer may potentially influence the nitrogen content of the grapevines, which could result in the enlargement of leaf area and an overall boost in grape yield, mainly attributable to the increased cluster weight [12]. Excessive nitrogen supply leads to increased vegetative growth, which can, in turn, compete with the translocation and accumulation of sugars [13] causing a delay in berry ripening and an increased susceptibility to fungal diseases.…”