Radiation Models
The innovative solution designed by 3a srl is a characterisation and control system for vineyards, based on advanced technologies. The key to this proposal is a digital model of the company that characterises and maps vineyards based on the accumulation of solar energy striking foliage and between rows. The areas identified by the system, significantly related to the level of ripening of the grapes at harvest time, enhance capacity to understand vineyard dynamics.
What are the advantages for a company?
planning vineyards-defining the "cru"-organising the grape harvest-maintaining healthy plants
The proposed system has 3 components:
1) Digital model of vineyards
Solar radiation is a fundamental meteorological factor which influences numerous biological processes, first and foremost photosynthesis. The importance of solar radiation for plant growth, although known for some time, is a poorly explored research field, at least in relation to the use of this meteorological factor in land zoning. Solar radiation induces various biological responses in plants, based on its quantity, quality, frequency and direction. Production and quality of the wine grape are directly proportional to the radiation received by the vineyard and, therefore, depend on seasonal progress, the leaf surface, the direction of the rows, the height and number of plants per plot, the arrangement of the shoots and the leaves in the space. 3a developed its RadVine model to estimate potential, overall radiation striking the planted surface area, estimating the quantity of radiation striking the vertical wall of the row, while also assessing reciprocal shade. The model also calculates daylight, i.e. the number of hours of radiation directly striking the surface areas, which are in any way sloped and exposed. The maps obtained using this method enable the sub-division of the vineyard surface area in homogeneous zones. The zoning criteria enable agronomic selection focusing on new planting and land management. By creating this model, 3a aims to implement a useful tool at company level to plan planting and maximise the accumulation of radiation on foliage, but specifically useful in the vineyard management phase, to rationalise agronomic documentation, reduce phytosanitary treatment costs by identifying areas most sensitive to disease, organise the harvest and sort grapes based on wine-making objectives.
Planning of new planting: the model enables optimised distribution and accumulation of energy and sunlight hours during the vegetative season and during the ripening period by simulating various planting density solutions, thereby varying orientation, height and distance between rows. The selection of varieties and planting location is therefore facilitated, supported by a highly innovative scientific tool.
Ripening controls and grape harvest: validation test conducted by 3a, based on the relationship between zones identified by the model and the analytical assessment of grape ripening controls at harvest time, has provided excellent results, enabling grape harvest planning based on wine-making objectives and enhanced organisation of ripening and harvesting controls.
