Montmorillonite content is an influential soil parameter of grapevine development and yield in South Uruguay

Abstract

Soil physical and chemical characteristics play a key role on vine growth and yield. The soils of South Uruguay display high content of montmorillonite or illite. The proportion of these minerals deserves special attention as they influence the soil structure and its hydrological properties. The present study was conducted in a 1.1 ha vineyard of this region (Canelones), characterized by a high heterogeneity of plant vigour. It was aimed to determine and map the physical and chemical properties of the soil and their relations with plant vigour and yield. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the clay and organic matter contents were measured in 84 locations within this vineyard to calculate the montmorillonite and illite contents of the soil. In addition, the type and abundance of clays was corroborated by X-ray diffractometry analysis. The CEC and montmorillonite contents were positively correlated with vine vigour, expressed by the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI), trunk diameter, pruning weight, leaf area, and with yield. Thus, the within vineyard distribution of the ratio montmorillonite/illite conditioned the heterogeneity of vine growth and yield at the field level. The impact of those minerals on water and mineral supply to the plant is discussed.