Laimburg Research Centre
Viticulture
Viticulture Research Area
The Viticulture Research Area is dedicated to scientific research into the current themes in viticultural practices and it sources new strategies to increase quality and improve the adaptation of crops to climate change. Using innovative approaches and practical solutions, it offers solid support to viticulture in South Tyrol.
The specific focus is on:
- Safeguarding soil fertility and biodiversity: development of sustainable strategies to improve soil health and preserve biological diversity in the vineyard
- Management with low climate impact: research and development of sustainable growing practices to reduce CO₂ emissions in viticulture.
- Efficient use of water resources: development and optimisation of irrigation strategies for sustainable use of water, an increasingly limited resource.
Through these research activities, the viticulture research area is able to make an active contribution to sustainable viticulture, high quality and adapted to the climate in South Tyrol.
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Grapevine Varieties and Propagation Material Working Group
The regular renewal of vineyards is needed to adapt varieties to climate changes, to control the weakening of plants caused by viruses, and to respond to the needs arising from other agricultural factors. The success of a new planting largely depends on the quality of the propagation material, which must be suitable for site conditions and for production aims.
Systematic varietal tests are used to collect precious information and optimise the choice of varieties, clones and rootstock. Moreover, new clone selections, developed at the Laimburg Centre, expand the offer of material available for viticulture.
Scope of activities:
- New grape varieties: assessment of suitability for cultivation of varieties currently not authorised for planting.
- New varietal selections: assessment of suitability for cultivation and enological quality of new varieties with a high degree of resistance to the main fungal diseases.
- Evaluation of rootstock: test of new rootstock suitability for cultivation and study of specific characteristics, such as tolerance to water stress.
- Selection of biotypes: identification and selection of biotypes from local populations to use in the creation of new clones and varietal selection.
- Assessment of clones at international level: test and comparison of foreign clones of the varieties grown in South Tyrol.
- Maintenance and pre-multiplication selection of approved basic Laimburg clone material.
- Traditional vines: preservation, expansion, and assessment of suitability for cultivation of ancient local varieties.
These research activities boost the future competitiveness of viticulture, promoting vines suited to local environment conditions and high quality.
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Projects
All projects of the Grapevine Varieties and Propagation Material Working Group.
![[External link] Projects](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/56efb6e8-ab0c-4630-a737-bab56f895c2e/thumbnail_Icona_Lavagna1.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Publications
All the publications by the Grapevine Varieties and Propagation Material Working Group at the Fruit Growing and Viticulture Institute.
![[External link] Publications](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/bf5b0195-0fff-4598-9d3b-68e49f267c7c/Publikationen.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Physiology and Cultivation Techniques Working Group
Our research activities are focused on compounds that determine the enological characteristics of South Tyrolean vineyards. The aim is to understand the way in which they are influenced by environmental factors and cultivation practices.
Ongoing climate change requires production processes to be adapted, even in viticulture.
In the future, to increase the economic value and profitability of vineyards, it will be more and more important to:
- improve working processes
- share useful machinery between winemaking companies
- digitalise agricultural practices
- use small robots
Even in a context that sees technological innovation on the rise, the protection and improvement of grape and wine quality remain a priority.
Scope of activities:
- Identification of components responsible for quality in the main vine varieties.
- Evaluation and development of agronomic techniques in quality parameter management.
- Development and checking of new methods for the identification of grape quality pre-harvest.
- Study of physiological changes in vines, such as bunchstem necrosis, cluster wilting, grape cracking, grape sunburn and green grape berries.
- Improvement of soil management, with specific attention to fertility through grassing, organic fertilisation and weedkiller alternatives.
- Optimisation of cultivation systems that promote vine health and grape quality.
- Irrigation management according to real vine needs, to guarantee optimum water input.
These research activities contribute to guaranteeing quality and sustainability for viticulture over the long term.
Contact
Projects
All projects of the Physiology and Cultivation Techniques Working Group.
Publications
All publications by the Physiology and Cultivation Techniques Working Group at the Fruit Growing and Viticulture Institute.