Vineyard Management
What this domain tests
Vineyard Management tests the seasonal operations that shape the canopy and crop: shoot thinning, positioning, leaf removal, cluster thinning, cover cropping, weed control and yield estimation. The exam wants decisions justified by vine physiology and quality targets.
Canopy management
Shoot thinning reduces crowding and improves light penetration and airflow. Shoot positioning separates leaves and clusters, reducing disease pressure and improving spray coverage. Leaf removal around clusters increases fruit exposure; early removal can reduce fruit set and sunburn risk, while later removal improves colour and reduces Botrytis in humid conditions. Timing is therefore critical. Excessive leaf removal can reduce photosynthesis and sugar accumulation.
Crop regulation and yield
Cluster thinning reduces crop load and can improve berry size and maturity, but thinning after veraison has little effect on sugar concentration because the vine has already invested in the crop. Yield estimation uses cluster counts and average cluster weight. Cover crops can reduce erosion, improve soil structure and compete mildly with vines, but may worsen water stress in dry sites.
Worked example
A vineyard has 3,333 vines/ha, an average of 18 clusters per vine and 150 g per cluster. Yield = 3,333 × 18 × 0.150 kg = 9,000 kg/ha, or 9 t/ha. If the target is 7 t/ha, the grower must remove about 2 t/ha, equal to 2,000 ÷ 0.150 ≈ 13,333 clusters, or about 4 clusters per vine.
Traps that cost marks
Do not state that cluster thinning always raises sugar; timing matters. Do not recommend severe leaf removal at flowering for a sun-sensitive variety. Do not calculate yield from one vine or one cluster. Do not ignore water competition from cover crops on dry sites.
Key points
- Shoot thinning improves airflow and light distribution.
- Leaf-removal timing determines whether fruit set or sunburn is affected.
- Cluster thinning is most effective before or around veraison, not after.
- Yield = vines/ha × clusters/vine × cluster weight.
- Cover crops have trade-offs between soil benefits and water use.