A comparison of three methods of tissue analysis for assessing the nutrient status of plantings of Vitis vinifera in an irrigated area in South Australia

Abstract

Three tissue sampling methods used elsewhere to assess the nutrient status of vinifera grape vines were compared in irrigated vineyards in the Loxton area of South Australia. The sampling units used were: a. whole leaf samples taken at bloom and berry colour-change (the French system), 6. leaf blades collected in January (the South African system) and c. petioles collected at flowering time (the Californian system). In each case leaves were sampled from nodes near the base of the shoot opposite a bunch. Fortyfour vineyards including plantings of the cultivars Grenache, Sultana, Shiraz and Gordo were sampled in the 1972-73, 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons. Tissue was analysed for nitrogen (or nitrate), phosphorus and potassium and an assessment of the nutritional status of each vineyard was made by reference to published standards. The Californian system based on the petiole sampled at bloom-time gave the best assessment of vineyard nutrient status.