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Lookup NU author(s): Dr James Taylor
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of a review that has been published in its final definitive form by Wiley, 2018.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
Crop load, the ratio of vine size to mass of fruit harvested, is a fundamental principle in understanding viticulture. Measuring vine size and crop yield, the components of crop load, has historically been a labour intensive exercise that has limited the use of crop load information as a management tool in commercial vineyards. Recent advances in assessing vine vigour, size and yield using geo-referenced sensors is starting to make high resolution crop load mapping a reality for the industry. In this paper, the concept of crop load is revisited with an emphasis on how vine size and yield can be mapped in vineyards. The existing literature is reviewed on how vine size and yield vary spatially and temporally within vineyard blocks and the inference this has on the spatio-temporal variability of crop load. An example of crop load mapping using sensor technology is presented to illustrate recent advances in sensor technology in viticulture. Finally, some emerging technology and knowledge gaps for implementing spatial crop load information into vineyard management are discussed.
Author(s): Taylor JA, Dresser J, Hickey CC, Nuske ST, Bates TR
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research
Year: 2018
Volume: 25
Issue: 2
Pages: 144-155
Print publication date: 01/04/2019
Online publication date: 19/12/2018
Acceptance date: 03/10/2018
ISSN (print): 1322-7130
ISSN (electronic): 1755-0238
Publisher: Wiley
URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/ajgw.12378
DOI: 10.1111/ajgw.12378
