Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #402160
Research Project: Water and Nutrient Management for Sustainable Production of Small Fruit and Nursery Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit

Title: The influence of nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium vineyard applications on vine nutrient status and productivity

Author
item KALAUNI, SANTOSH - Oregon State University
item Schreiner, Roger

Submitted to: American Society of Enology and Viticulture Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: The supply of mineral nutrients is essential for optimal vine growth and fruit production. We studied the impact of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) fertilization on nutrient status, productivity, and fruit composition over two years in western Oregon vineyards. The N-trial in Chardonnay utilized three rates of soil-applied N. The K-trial conducted in a K-deficient Pinot noir vineyard had four treatments, three rates of soil-applied K and a single foliar treatment. A Mg-trial in a Mg-deficient Pinot noir vineyard included three rates of foliar-applied Mg. Each treatment was replicated four times using a randomized block design at each vineyard. Results in Chardonnay showed that leaf blade and petiole N status at bloom and veraison were elevated to greater extent as the rate of N increased, although minor variations occurred among tissue and time. Yeast assimilable nitrogen in must increased with increasing rate of N in year 1, but was similar in year 2 at medium and high rates of N. Soil-applied K increased leaf blade and petiole K at bloom and veraison in Pinot noir in year 2, but foliar K applications did not. However, all three added K treatments increased K in woody canes at dormancy. In the Mg trial, both the low and high rates of Mg applied to the canopy elevated leaf blade Mg status by veraison and reduced the extent of Mg-deficient leaf symptoms developing in late summer, but petioles did not respond to Mg fertilization. In all three trials, neither vine size nor yield were increased thus far by fertilizer additions. In addition, cluster size, berry size and must maturity indices have yet to be altered by N, K, or Mg additions. It will be interesting to see if productivity, yield, or fruit composition will be altered in the future.