Nutritional aspects and stress conditions on the productivity and quality of ‘Syrah’ grapes in the Brazilian high-altitude Cerrado

Abstract The newest Brazilian terroir destined to produce grapes and fine wines is found in the Federal District and surrounding areas (DF-IDRE). The study of new regions requires a detailed evaluation of this terroir; an essential factor involves the balanced distribution of different mineral elements necessary for various physiological processes of the grapevine. The aim of the work is to evaluate the nutritional condition of the vineyards, correlating them with the productivity and quality of the ‘Syrah’. The experiment was conducted in the 2023 and 2024 harvests. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with four replications, in ten vineyards (P). Each experimental plot had one hundred plants, trained on a bilateral spurred cord supported on four-year-old plants. During the veraison and harvest stages, nutritional analyses were performed on the leaf petioles for calcium, nitrate and potassium, and electrical conductivity, using LaquaTwin ® , Horiba ® sensor technology. In addition, qualitative and productive parameters, such as total acidity, YAN, °Brix, pH, K + , EEA, TPI, bunches, average productivity, average bunch mass, quantity of berries and Average berry mass were measured. Regarding the results, the positive effects of Ca ++ at veraison (higher than 20 mg L − 1 ) on grape productivity and the reduction of electrical conductivity must be highlighted. Also the impact of high K + content (higher than 2200 mg L − 1 ) on the increase in grape pH. High YAN was obtained from plants with high NO 3 − concentration (greater than 2000 mg L − 1 ). Higher electrical conductivity values ​​reduced vine productivity (greater than 16 mS cm − 1 ). Finally, Laquatwin ® sensors are practical and easy to use, proving to be appropriate technology to assist winegrowers in vine cultivation.