During their development, vines use certain elements present in the soil, mainly minerals. Primary minerals are potassium, magnesium, nitrogen and calcium, all of which are involved in various essential metabolic functions. The vines' needs are modest but during grape production, a portion of the resources used is not returned to the soil. In the long term, the soil becomes impoverished, which can cause deficiencies or yield reductions. Moreover, the soil's natural biological activity results in its acidification. If nothing is done, this can lead to toxicity due to an accumulation of certain metals such as aluminium or copper.
The need to maintain the soil's agronomic potential through fertilisation then becomes evident. This involves providing the soil with certain mineral elements and organic matter in order to ensure the healthy growth of the vines. Fertilisation can be achieved by adding fertilisers and soil improvers.
The following sections cover the basic elements of fertilisation practices. Given the complexity of how soil functions and its interactions with the vine, this chapter is not exhaustive. Excellent works are available in the bibliography for further exploration of this subject.
Search