Research and innovations for vineyard mechanization in Italy.

Some of the more notable innovations introduced into the landscape of Italy’s viticulture over the past three decades have been the short-cane, spur-pruned training systems developed at the University of Bologna and designed to replace such traditional long-cane systems as Guyot, Sylvoz, arch, and the like, that are still used in many of the country’s districts today. These new models embody features aimed at upgrading crop quality, lowering overhead outlays, reducing environmental impact and raising yield potential. The conceptual framework needed to achieve these four goals was constructed on core principles enabling an “organic approach” to vineyard architecture design that essentially led to seven model training systems: an upgraded variation of the textbook Spur-Pruned Cordon, Double Curtain, Free Cordon, Moveable Free Cordon, Moveable Spur-Pruned Cordon, COMBI and, most recently, the Semi-Minimal-Pruned Hedge. Their subsequent testing and fine-tuning elicited their baseline physiological responses, laid down proper field-management criteria and led to the design of specific mechanical harvesting and pruning units. The new training systems proved well matched to a broad range of the environmental conditions found in the districts of central and northern Italy and, especially, to the key factors that deliver crop quality and yield in vineyards designed for machine integration.