Background and Aims: Knowing the impact of cultural practices on nitrogen (N) dynamics in perennial crops is critical to promote N use efficiency. This study focused on the impact of crop regulation on the plant N dynamics, on the fruit N composition, and on the N fertilisation use efficiency. Methods and Results: A large crop load gradient was set in a homogeneous plot of the grape cultivar Chasselas. Fertilisation in the form of 15N-labelled foliar urea allowed the measurement of N uptake and partitioning among plant fractions. Dry mass, carbon, and N dynamics were assessed over two consecutive seasons. Crop regulation did not affect grape N concentration at harvest. Both N uptake and root N mobilisation were reduced in response to crop regulation. Fertilisation efficiency was higher under high-yield conditions in terms of N uptake and grape N accumulation. The carry-over effects of crop regulation in the following year were highlighted. Conclusions: Crop regulation strongly affects the overall plant N cycle, that is, uptake, distribution and release. Crop regulation improves must sugar concentration at harvest, while N concentration remained unchanged. The efficiency of N fertilisation varies greatly with crop load, which limits the interest of fertilisation under low-yield conditions. Significance of the Study: These results contribute to the development of accurate nutrition models and sustainable cultural practices.
Verdenal T., Spangenberg J. E. , Dienes-Nagy Á., Zufferey V., Spring J.-L., Viret O., van Leeuwen C.
Nitrogen dynamics and fertilisation use efficiency: carry-over effect of crop limitation.
Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 28, (3), 2022, 358-373.
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ISSN Print: 1322-7130
ISSN Online: 1755-0238
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1111/ajgw.12532
ID pubblicazione (Codice web): 48077 Inviare via e-mail