Correlation of Grape Yield and Soil Properties in Two Serbian Locations: a GIS Based Support Technology

Abstract

Biological characteristic of a grapevine genotype supposed to give high quality grapes is the most important factor in viticulture only if combined with ecological characteristics and technology. Differences among vineyard locations, expressed by soil properties and microclimate conditions, result in producing grapes with different characteristics. The different grape characteristics further affect wine and its properties, so wines take the character of the area in which the vine has been cultivated. One of the problems in production of high quality grapes is caused by the variability of soil properties. Vineyard experiments have been conducted in two different locations in Serbia: Vrsac and Radmilovac. Obtained results of soil properties indicated heterogeneity in the soil pH, phosphorus and potassium content. The soil pH in H2O at Vrsac locality, varied from 5.02 to 6.04 at 0-30 cm depth, and from 5.20 to 5.94 at 30-60 cm depth, while pH values in KCl ranged from 4.31 to 4.89 at the first depth, and from 4.32 to 4.99 at the second depth. In Radmilovac locality, pH in H2O varied from 4.90 to 8.71 at the depth of 0-30 cm, while at the depth of 30-60 cm it ranged from 4.95 to 8.09. Soil pH value in KCl varied from 3.85 to 7.93 at the first depth, and from 3.89 to 7.24 at the second depth. Measured results were tested with Spearman test and the correlation between the yield and the number of bunches on the vine on the one hand, and soil parameters on the other hand, at first location ("Radmilovac") and both depths, were found. Spatial distribution of soil properties and yield is presented through maps created in GIS framework by inverse distance weight method.