THE NOVEL APPROACH OF FARMING.

THE NOVEL APPROACH OF FARMING.

Evaluation of performance of ferti-activator Sanbio PLANTA on the sugar content of vine variety ´Graševina´ in Croatia

Kutjevo, Croatia (November 18, 2014) – Just a stone’s throw from Italy across the Adriatic Sea, Croatia has been producing wine for more than 2,400 years. Its coastal wine regions and islands have harbored vineyards since the Illyrians first planted vines there during the Bronze Age, and a long, rich viticultural history led to the birth of hundreds of native varieties.

Following the devastation of phylloxera, which reached Croatia’s vineyards in the early 20th century, only 130 indigenous varieties remain, most planted in pocket-sized parcels in small family vineyards. Approximately 40 of these native varieties are used in commercial production alongside a dozen international varieties spread across Croatia’s 20,700 hectares of vineyards.

Much of Croatia’s wine production of 69 million liters stays within the domestic market—Croatia consumes an impressive 46.9 liters per capita annually, according to a 2014 report by the Wine Institute. However, since Croatian independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, and the country’s entrance into the EU in 2013, the wine industry has become more organized and exports are multiplying.

Besides being the most planted grape variety in Croatia, Graševina is the most sought-after white wine. The Slavonia region is almost a synonym for this variety, where Graševina shows the best results.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of ferti-activator Sanbio PLANTA on the sugar content of vine variety ´Graševina´.

This study was executed in cooperation with the famous winery KUTJEVO d.d., located in the Slavonia region, northeast of Croatia and SANBOS GmbH, Germany.

1.  Background

Kutjevo is known for its wines, and the local agricultural joint stock company Kutjevo d.d. is the largest exporter of wines in Croatia.

Situated on the southern slopes of the Krndija Mountains at 200-300 meters elevation, with only 500-800 mm of rainfall, and at 45.3 degrees North, Kutjevo vineyards are on the same parallel as Piedmont, Bordeaux, Côte du Rhone and Oregon.

2.  Materials and methods

Table 1. Basic data

Season 2014
Location Croatia, Slavonia region, Vinkomir, Kutjevo  

Picture 1. Vineyard and trial area (Source: www.google.com)
Direction South-Southwest      
Organization KUTJEVO d.d.
Crop Vine
Variety Graševina
Method 2-way-Gyoti, distance between plants 2.8 x 9m, 18 eyes per vine
Climate Continental, with warm, dry summers and cold winters
Rainfall Annual 500-800mm
Test product Sanbio PLANTA, manufactured by SANBOS GmbH, Germany
Dosage 3kg total, diluted into fresh water, sprayed onto ground around the vine, 1 liter ready-to-use solution per vine
No. of applications 1
Date of planting 2009
Date of application 10/04/2014
Date of harvest 15/10/2014
Scoring Sugar content

Table 2. Product presentation of Sanbio PLANTA

Product name Composition Description Application
Sanbio PLANTA Activated blend of natural seaweed, nutrients, trace elements, selectively and adapted highly effective natural bacterial cultures and mycorrhiza fungi, activated by SANBIO  Biocatalytical Stimulation Technology Fertilizer and biological activator (certified in France, Germany, EC, USA)Stimulation of plant growth and immunityBetter protection against fungal diseases and biotic and abiotic stressBetter control of factors favorable to plant growthBetter germination and growth of vegetation and development of roots and shootsColonization of roots by beneficial microorganismsBetter mobilization and assimilation of nutrientsEarly flowering and maturationIncreased production and improved quality Dosage: 1.5 kg / ha in 200-500 l of water   No. of application: 1-2   Mode of application: Soil application   Stage of application: 3-5 leaf stage  

3.   Results

Table 3. Productive performance

Parameter Unit Control Sanbio PLANTA
No. of plant N 720 720
Acid total g/l 8.9 8.95
SO4 total mg/l 12.8 15.36
Sugar content ° Öe % Brix 68 16.6 81 19.6

Figure 1. Sugar content in °Brix

4.  Conclusion

To summarize, the present study shows significantly positive effects of ferti-activator Sanbio PLANTA on productive performance of vine.

The positive effects at glance:

  • Higher sugar content (+19.1%)