Design and evaluation of an active vineyard heating system to simulate temperature increase in the context of climate change

Abstract

The current study introduces an innovative direct and active heating system designed for precisetemperature control in vineyards. This system serves as a valuable tool for investigating theinfluence of climate change on grapevine physiology and, consequently, the characteristics of theresulting wine. The research took place in an experimental vineyard located in Mendoza, Argentina,with V. vinifera cvs. trained to a vertical shoot positioning trellis system over two consecutivegrowing seasons. The system design utilized electric hot water tanks and polypropylene pipesattached to the foliage catch wires. Over two growing seasons, the system consistently elevated theambient air temperatures within the canopy by 2.5 ± 0.12 °C compared to the control group. Thistemperature increase emulated the temperature projections for Mendoza as forecasted by the IPCCby the end of this century. The system displayed heating uniformity, as evidenced by the absenceof both vertical and horizontal temperature gradients. Additionally, the significant variation inmean daytime and night-time temperatures between the control and heated treatments highlightedthe effectiveness of the system in modifying temperature conditions on a diurnal basis. The heatedtreatment applied with this system proved to have an effective biological impact on the physiologyof grapevines. In both seasons, plants under the heated treatment advanced their bud break andharvest dates. The study showed a significant growth enhancement in the heated treatment, withapical shoots extending significantly longer than those in the control treatment. Additionally, thetotal soluble solids content increased in the heating treatment, while yield decreased, for bothexperimental seasons. These results illustrate the robust performance of the system throughout theentire growth period, regardless of fluctuations in atmospheric conditions. This study establishesa new foundation for future research on grapevine responses to climate change. It also opensthe door to the implementation of effective adaptation strategies in vineyards, promising a moreresilient and adaptable future for grape cultivation.