The Variability and Trend of Harvest Dates of Table and Pisco Grapes in Northern Chile Are Independently Influenced by Bioclimatic Indices

Verdugo-Vásquez, N.; Ibacache-González, A.; Gutiérrez-Gamboa, G

Keywords: vitis vinifera, viticulture, growing degree days, heat unit, springtime temperature, thermal accumulation, warmest month temperature

Abstract

(1) Background: The variability and trend in harvest dates of table and Pisco grapes have been scarcely studied. This can be closely influenced by bioclimatic indices since they account for the interactions between climatic factors and vine phenology. Understanding the environmental factors influencing harvest timing has become increasingly critical to perform specific viticultural practices. (2) Methods: The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of bioclimatic indices on variability and trend of harvest date from the 2002–2003 to 2017–2018 seasons in Flame Seedless, Thompson Seedless, Muscat of Alexandria, and Moscatel Rosada growing in Northern Chile. (3) Results: The harvest date of Flame Seedless advanced significantly with an increasing Growing Season Temperature (GST) (from 1 October to 31 December), while Thompson Seedless showed a significant advancement in harvest date with rising the Maximum Springtime Temperature Summation SONmax (from 1 September to 30 November) values. Similarly, the harvest date of Muscat of Alexandria was significantly earlier with higher Heliothermal Index (HI) (from 1 July to 31 January and from 1 August to 30 April) values, whereas Moscatel Rosada exhibited a significant advancement in harvest date as the GST (from 1 July to 31 December and from 1 July to 31 January) increased. The trend in the harvest date of Thompson Seedless was statistically significant, reaching a coefficient of determination of 0.42. (4) Conclusions: Understanding the influence of bioclimatic indices on harvest date in long-term periods is critical in the context of climatic variability since producers can make more informed decisions to optimize grape quality and maintain sustainability in production systems.

Más información

Título de la Revista: Horticulturae
Volumen: 11
Número: 425
Editorial: MDPI Open Access Publishing
Fecha de publicación: 2025
Página de inicio: 1
Página final: 16
Idioma: Inglés
URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11040425