e-books

This book, based on decades of research by respected scientist Dr Johan Fourie, formerly of the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, describes the interaction of cover crops with vineyards, and how grape producers can integrate cover crops into their own systems. Cover crops offer many benefits to grape producers, having been shown to suppress weeds; reduce soil compaction and erosion; improve water infiltration and retention; and boost soil fertility.

Fourie assessed many different cover crops to identify the best candidates for different regions and soil types. He conducted long-term trials in vineyards to determine cover-crop effects on weeds; water use; soil carbon, nitrogen, and other minerals; and grapevine nitrogen, vegetative growth, and yields. Different cover-crop management strategies were also evaluated.

Most of the trials ran for 10–12 years in vineyards at ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij research farms in Lutzville, Robertson, and Stellenbosch, representing three of the major grape-growing regions of South Africa. This book summarises the results, as well as results of trials in Keimoes and Oudtshoorn. It provides practical recommendations on establishing and managing cover crops in vineyards, and will be a valuable resource for grape producers.

“All wines made for canning can also be packaged in glass bottles, but not all wine prepared for glass bottles can be canned.”

It is important for winemakers to understand these risk factors associated with canned wines, as the development of wine faults post packaging can harm potential market growth.

The book consolidates information obtained from scientific publications, personal communication with companies Nampak Bevcan (South African can manufacturer), Enartis USA, Tiny Keg Can Co (South African can filling company) and three international reviewers: Neil Scrimgeour (The Australian Wine Research Institute), Dr Eric Wilkes (The Australian Wine Research Institute) and Prof. Gavin Sacks (Cornell University). The book was conceptualised and published by Winetech.

Handbook for irrigation of wine grapes in South Africa is in essence a summary of the wine grape irrigation research carried out in South Africa over a period of more than 50 years. The research was carried out to develop irrigation guidelines, particularly with respect to optimising wine quality and maximizing water use efficiency.

Therefore, the primary focus of the book is on practical irrigation, rather than the physiology concerning grapevine water relations. In addition to irrigation strategies, and the scheduling thereof, related aspects such as climate, soil properties, water quality, irrigation systems, as well as frost protection are also addressed. It is envisaged that the book will be a useful guide for present and future generations of wine grape growers, as well as viticulture students.

Hierdie boek is ‘n uitvloeisel van geïdentifiseerde bedryfsprioriteite, nagevors en geskryf deur twee veteraan tegniese rolspelers. Spesiale aandag word verleen aan die klassieke historiese bydraes van hoogsaangeskrewe buitelandse werkers, wat nie geredelik vir alle belangstellendes toeganklik is nie. Dit handel oor alle aspekte van wingerdwortels, soos die groei, morfologie, anatomie, fisiologie en funksies daarvan.

Voorts gee dit ook ‘n oorsig van metodes van wortelondersoeke, asook van die faktore wat die groei en verspreiding van wingerdwortels affekteer, gevolg deur bespreking van tegnieke gerig op die onderhoud van wingerdwortels ten einde wyndruifverbouiing in Suid-Afrika haalbaar en volhoubaar te maak.