Method and system for the production of free-rooted grape grafts

Abstract

The system according to the invention is used for the production of free-rooted grape grafts. The system the system (100) comprises a plurality of open-top cultivation devices (120) arranged in a closed space (110) for the storage of grape grafts, wherein the cultivation devices (120) are filled up with a soilless growing medium (220), and drain passages (240) for the nutrient solution (230) are formed at the bottom of the cultivation devices (120). In a lower part of the cultivation devices (120), at least one drip tray (250) is placed for receiving the nutrient solution (230) flowing out through the drain passages (240). The system further comprises a humidification device (140) for providing a relative humidity of approx. 40- 80% in the closed space (110), an irrigation system (150) for supplying the nutrient solution (230), by means of a pump (234), from a central nutrient solution tank (152) through a conduit system (154) to the cultivation devices (120) storing the grafts (210), in particular to a plurality of drip bodies (236) arranged at an upper part of the cultivation devices (120), above the surface of the growing medium (220).

Description

[0001] Method and system for the production of free-rooted grape grafts

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and a system for the production of free-rooted grape grafts, in particular for their production with soilless technology.

[0003] Many studies are known about the cultivation of various horticultural plants without soil in greenhouse conditions. Among others, such technology is presented in the following documents:

[0004] Buttaro et al. al, "Soilless greenhouse production of table grape under Mediterranean conditions" (Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment Vol.10 (2): 641-645. 2012);

[0005] Di Lorenzo et al. al, “From soil to soil-less in horticulture: quality and typicity" (Italian Journal of Agronomy 2013; volume 8:e30); and

[0006] Grouda et al. “Culture: Soilless. Encyclopedia of Soil Sciences" (Edition: Third Edition, Publisher: CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, Editors: Rattan Lal, pp.533 - 537, Chapter. November 2016).

[0007] The aim of the production of free-rooted grape propagating material in cultivation equipment without soil is to achieve safe quality production, free from weather extremes, diseases spread by vectors originating from the soil and pests, with targeted water and nutrient dosing.

[0008] Currently, in most of the world's grape-growing areas, grape growers have been using grape grafts to propagate grapes since the end of the 1800s, due to the large-scale destruction of the grape rootworm (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae).

[0009] The grape grafts are currently produced by cultivation in the open field, and mature grafts suitable for planting are usually stored in their own container in a free-rooted form until planting. In containerized graft production, the grafts are in peat pots, foil bags or cardboard together with a nursery stick. An average quality peat-based soil mixture is placed in the peat pot, to which substances that stimulate rooting are usually mixed.

[0010] The conventional production technology of grape grafts consists of the following steps. In a first step, the canes of the rootstock and fruit varieties of the grapes are picked and cleaned. The buds of the rootstock varieties are removed (this is the so-called disbudding), cut to size, the canes are bundled, graded, classified according to thickness, disinfected and then stored in a cold store until grafting. Before grafting, the rootstock is trampled and then soaked. The scion varieties are also cleaned, cut to size, graded, then the grafts are bagged, and these are also stored until grafting.

[0011] After that, immediately before the grafting, the scion buds are soaked and dried. Grafting is typically carried out manually, with the help of a grafting machine, followed by a grafting wax treatment.

[0012] Depending on the technology, the basal end of the rootstock is treated with a substance that stimulates rooting. After grafting, the propagating materials are placed in plastic or wooden crates for semi-forcing. The purpose of propagation is to promote the initial development of the plants, grafting, and the formation of callus at the grafting site. A packing material is used for propagation, which can be, for example, perlite, peat, coconut fiber, sawdust or an aqueous medium. With the different technologies, germination takes place at a temperature of 23-30 °C, and usually lasts 14-21 days.

[0013] In order to acclimate the sprouted grape grafts or cuttings to the outdoor environment, the temperature of the growing room is gradually reduced in order for facilitating adaptation to the environmental conditions expected at the time of planting. This process is called training.

[0014] After propagation and training, the grafts are moved to a nursery. In the case of conventional technologies, during nursery period, the advanced grape grafts are planted in the open ground, typically in buck beds. The purpose of growing in a nursery is to allow the grafts to take root during one growing season, the grafting points (the places of the callus) to become woody, and the development of a well-ripened, scion cane. The nursery period begins after the grafts have been propagated, usually in the open field, between the beginning of May and the middle of May. For moving to the nursery, those grape grafts are suitable that have formed circular callus and plantar callus and where the fusion between the two graft components is perfect.

[0015] In the case of conventional, i.e. open-field growing, each advanced graft is placed in a ridge tillage, in the graft nursery created for this purpose, in a graft foil.

[0016] Before establishing the grafting nursery, the soil must be prepared. This includes, among others, organic and artificial fertilizing, deep plowing, soil disinfection, smoothing, rolling, making ridge tillages, etc. The grafts to be planted must also be prepared, this includes cutting back the shoots and treatment with grafting wax. Finally, the temporary protection of the shoot and callus must also be ensured. Protection against dehydration, sunburn and late spring frosts is an important task.

[0017] Planting into the nursery can be started outdoors when the soil warmed up to a temperature of approx. 20 °C. Before schooling, it is necessary to carry out a soil test in order to test the ability of the soil to supply nutrients. During open-field training, the roots formed during the propagation are usually damaged during planting, but re-rooting is an extremely energydemanding process. In this way, the energy reserve of the planted grape grafts may decrease.

[0018] The grafts are planted manually, there are approx. 14 grafts per linear meter. In the case of outdoor schooling, it is also necessary to use a nursery rotation in order to avoid soil depletion. A closed system in a single array with usually four rotaries is the most preferred scheme.

[0019] During the growing season, variety selection and pruning, which means cutting back the shoots, must be carried out. Weeding (removal of rootstock shoots) is also necessary.

[0020] Special attention must be paid to the plant protection, as the possibility of infection is more critical in the grafting school for the following reasons:

[0021] • The shoots are close to the ground until the end of the growing season.

[0022] • Shoot development is delayed, the shoots are more tender, and the risk of infection also exists in the second half of summer.

[0023] • Watering increases the chance of downy mildew.

[0024] • Young shoots are sensitive to scorching, so they should be sprayed with a solution of lower concentration.

[0025] Irrigation is typically done with drip equipment, with nutrient replenishment (nutrient solution) in one work process.

[0026] Rooted grafts and cuttings are usually harvested from mid-October, which requires a graftextraction plow. In the case of conventional technology, the care of the nursery in the open field is difficult and expensive, and graft producers have to reckon with losses caused by weather extremes (precipitation, frost, ice, heat) to an increasing extent.

[0027] It is an object of the invention to develop a new production technology for grape propagation material that is sustainable, environmentally friendly, and the materials used can be recycled. Another object is to provide a new technology that saves water and nutrients, while at the same time ensures a high percentage of graft success and quality. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a technology that facilitates the production of pathogen-free propagating materials.

[0028] It is also an object of the invention to significantly reduce the area required for the production of propagating material.

[0029] In one aspect, the above objects are achieved by providing a method for the production of free-rooted grape grafts, comprising the steps of placing a plurality of sprouted grape grafts into open-top cultivation devices so that the grafts are separated from each other by at least approx. 4-6 cm, filling up the cultivation devices with a soilless growing medium so that the base of the grafts is accommodated in the growing medium along a section of at least 5-10 cm, growing the grafts in a closed space for a specific period of time, while watering them regularly with nutrient solution so that the excess nutrient solution is collected at the bottom of the cultivation devices, and maintaining a relative humidity of approx. 40-80% within the closed space, after the end of the growing period, removing the mature grape grafts from the cultivation devices by hand.

[0030] The above objects are also achieved by providing a system for performing the above method, the system comprising: a plurality of open-top cultivation devices arranged in a closed space for the storage of grape grafts, wherein the cultivation devices are filled up with a soilless growing medium, and wherein drain passages for the nutrient solution are formed at the bottom of the cultivation devices, and wherein in a lower part of the cultivation devices, at least one drip tray is placed for receiving the nutrient solution flowing out through the drain passages, a humidification device for providing a relative humidity of approx. 40-80% in the closed space, an irrigation system for supplying the nutrient solution, by means of a pump, from a central nutrient solution tank through a conduit system to the cultivation devices storing the grafts, in particular to a plurality of drip bodies arranged at an upper part of the cultivation devices, above the surface of the growing medium.

[0031] The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

[0032] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of the system for producing free-rooted grape grafts according to the invention;

[0033] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a cultivation device for storing grafts, the device forming a part of the system according to the invention;

[0034] Figure 3 shows an example of an insert for separating grafts;

[0035] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of the method for producing free- rooted grape grafts according to the invention.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, a system 100 for producing free-rooted grape grafts comprises a plurality of open-top cultivation devices arranged in a closed space 100 for storing the grape grafts, where the cultivation devices 120 are filled up with soil-free growing medium. Preferably, the cultivation devices 120 are made of plastic and have rigid walls. An example of the design of a cultivation device 120 is shown in Fig. 2. However, storage devices and equipment made of any material can be suitable for use as cultivation device, and even the plastic box containers and crates used during propagation may be used for this purpose. The advantages of the plastic devices are that they are highly resistant to external environmental influences, they do not absorb the irrigation liquid, they do not grow fungus, and they do not mold, so they have a long service life. An additional advantage is the recyclability of the cultivation devices 120, as well as their easy handling (for example, the ability to move them by using a machine) and their easy cleaning. The system 100 also includes a humidification device 140 that typically provides 40-80% relative humidity in the closed space 110 during the cultivation of the grape grafts. The system 100 is also provided with an irrigation system 150 that delivers nutrient solution from a central nutrient solution tank 152 through a conduit system 154 to the cultivation devices 120 storing the grafts.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, one or more inserts 200 are arranged inside each cultivation device 120 for separating the grape grafts 210. The inner space of the cultivation devices 120 is filled up with a growing medium 220, preferably with perlite.

[0038] The nutrient solution 230 is continuously pumped out of a tank 232 into the cultivation devices 120 by means of a pump 234. The pump 234 delivers the nutrient solution through conduits to a plurality of drip bodies 236 arranged in the upper part of the cultivation devices 120, above the surface of the growing medium 220, from which the nutrient solution 230 drips onto the growing medium 220 with a predetermined intensity. The intensity of the dripping is set so that the growing medium 220 is always sufficiently moistened. When watering the grafts, special attention is paid to ensure that the growing medium 220 does not dry out to a level below 60-70% of the field's water capacity value. The moisture content of the growing medium 220 is measured, for example, using a HHCC Flower Care Smart Monitor from Xiaomi, which is an intelligent sensor for plants that measures soil moisture, nutrients, light intensity, etc.

[0039] In the event of an overflow that may occur as a result of wetting, the excess nutrient solution 230 flows through some drain passages 240 formed in the bottom wall of the cultivation device 120 into at least one drip tray 250 arranged at the bottom of the cultivation device 120, preferably between the feet 122 of the cultivation device 120. The drip tray 250 may be designed so that it can be manually pulled out of the cultivation device 120. In this case, the nutrient solution 230 accumulated due to overwatering can be simply poured out of the drip tray 250 after the drip tray 250 has been removed, and then the tray can be placed back into the cultivation device 120.

[0040] In another embodiment, an additional circulating pump is connected to the drip tray 250, by means of which the nutrient solution collected in the drip tray 250 can be returned to the drip bodies 236, preferably after filtration and disinfection. The properties of the returned nutrient solution (e.g. ingredients of the nutrient solution, pH value, EC value, oxygen content, temperature, contamination) should be continuously checked.

[0041] A flow diagram of the method for the production of free-rooted grape grafts according to the invention is shown in Figure 4. Before carrying out the method, the grape grafts are propagated in a conventional way, so a large number of advanced grape grafts are provided after the grafting process for carrying out the method according to the invention. The method therefore begins with a step of moving the grafts into a nursery. The grafts to be planted must be prepared (cutting back the shoots) before planting into the nursery, but there is no need to treat the grafts with grafting wax (which are oil-based agents). In the method according to the invention, the free-rooted grafts are cultivated a greenhouse, in cultivation devices and by applying a soilless technology. Since with this soilless technology, planting does not take place in the open ground, so there is no need for a large area of land or the use of a nursery rotation, and therefore there is no need of soil preparation either.

[0042] In a first step 400 of the method, the forced grape grafts are placed in the cultivation devices 120 in such a way that the grafts are spaced apart each other at a distance of 4-8 cm. In this way, the area requirement of one graft is approx. 16-64 cm2, meaning that approx. 300-650 grafts are accommodated in 1 m2.

[0043] In a preferred embodiments of the method, the grafts are separated from each other by a rigid grid-like insert 130, which has been placed in a cultivation device 120 before the grafts are inserted therein. It is preferred that the insert 130 is a plastic insert shown in Figure 3. However, any other device or material suitable for separating the roots and fixing the grafts may be used to separate the plants.

[0044] In the next step 410 of the method, the cultivation devices 120 are filled up with a soil-free growing medium so that the base of the grafts is located in the growing medium along a section of at least 10-25 cm. It is preferred to use one of the following materials as a growing medium: perlite, rockwool, coconut fiber, peat, peat-perlite mixture or any mixture thereof. The perlite is a particularly good growing medium, as on the one hand, it is a neutral chemical substance (6.8-7.1 pH) and, on the other hand, it provides an optimal climate and a uniform temperature for the grafts, while its organic matter content is 0%, i.e. it is sterile, and at the same time, it is an environmentally friendly material. In a next step 420 of the method, the grafts are grown during specific time period in the afore-mentioned closed space 110, while they are regularly irrigated with a nutrient solution by using the irrigation system 150. Furthermore, a relative humidity of typically 40-80% is maintained in the closed space 110. The appropriate humidity is maintained by means of the humidification device 140.

[0045] A nutrient solution containing macroelements and microelements prepared for the specific grape variety is used for growing the plants as quickly as possible. The nutrient solution is preferably delivered to the grafts by dripping. When watering, only as much nutrient solution is delivered to the plants as necessary to keep the growing medium continuously moist. The excess nutrient solution that flows away due to a overwatering is preferably collected and either removed from the cultivation device 120, or after an appropriate treatment it is recirculated and recycled to the drip bodies. During cultivation, if necessary, additional tasks related to plant protection are also performed. Preferably, only contact pesticides are used. Regarding the plant care works, variety selection and pruning (cutting back of shoots) may be carried out in the cultivation step, i.e. during the growing season. In some cases, weeding may also be necessary (removal of rootstock shoots).

[0046] After the end of the cultivation period, in step 430, the mature grape grafts are removed by hand from the cultivation devices 120 and bundled for transport. Picking is done by hand, no other tools, equipment or machines are needed for this process.

[0047] The advantages of the system and method according to the invention are described below.

[0048] An important feature of the technology presented above is sustainability, environmental awareness and recyclability. In the case of the application of this technology, it is necessary to provide the plants with only as much water and nutrients as they need to carry out their life processes properly and to achieve a high percentage of germination. Thus, the method according to the invention saves water and nutrients.

[0049] It is also important to point out that due to the cultivation in a closed space, for example in a greenhouse, much less plant protection is required than in the case of cultivation in the open ground, so plant protection costs are significantly reduced, and thus there are no environmental impacts either. The possibility of infection is much less critical as compared to free ground cultivation since the grafts do not come into contact with the soil during the planting into the nursery period. Shoot development is also faster, the shoots are stronger. Another advantage is that due to less watering, the risk of downy mildew infection is significantly lower. Free-range animal pests are not present in the closed growing area, and in the case of soilless technology, the soil-derived pathogens or pests are not spread either.

[0050] Maintenance of the outdoor nursery is therefore more difficult and expensive. In the case of a conventional technology, it is important to point out that much more and more expensive work processes are required: application of nursery rotation, application of pre-crop, soil disinfection, soil preparation, making ridge tillages, foiling, installation of irrigation equipment, wax treatment, delivery of plant materials, green works, nutrient replacement, destroying ridge tillages, etc.

[0051] It is also important to mention that as the grafts are grown indoors, the method according to the invention is not affected by an extreme weather, such as a sudden or persistent rainfall, late spring frosts, hail or scorching solar radiation, or soil depletion. Despite all this, a high yield percentage and excellent quality can be achieved.

[0052] It is also important to point out that, unlike open-field cultivation, there is no need for power machinery (tillage machines, sprayers). It should be noted that through the method according to the invention, one can provide controllable environmental conditions (water supply, nutrient supply, properties of the medium).

[0053] The application of the method according to the invention does not require significant areas of land, since we several orders of magnitude more plants in a unit area may be grown in the containers used as cultivation devices.

Claims

Claims1. A method for producing free-rooted grape grafts, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: placing (400) a plurality of sprouted grape grafts into open-top cultivation devices so that the grafts are separated from each other by at least approx. 4-6 cm, filling up (410) the cultivation devices with a soilless growing medium so that the base of the grafts is accommodated in the growing medium along a section of at least 5-10 cm, growing (420) the grafts in a closed space for a specific period of time, while watering them regularly with nutrient solution so that the excess nutrient solution is collected at the bottom of the cultivation devices, and maintaining a relative humidity of approx. 40-80% within the closed space, after the end of the growing period, removing (430) the mature grape grafts from the cultivation devices by hand.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cultivation devices comprise rigid-walled plastic crates.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the grafts are separated from each other by a rigid grid-like insert so that each graft has a crop area of approx. 16-64 cm2.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the insert is made of plastic.

5. The method according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the growing medium is a material selected from the following group: perlite, rock wool, coconut fiber, peat, peat-perlite mixture or any combination thereof.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that as a nutrient solution, a unique material composition for a respective grape variety is used, the material composition containing both macroelements and microelements.

7. A system for carrying out the method for producing free-rooted grape grafts according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the system (100) comprises: a plurality of open-top cultivation devices (120) arranged in a closed space (110) for the storage of grape grafts, wherein the cultivation devices (120) are filled up with a soilless growing medium (220), and wherein drain passages (240) for the nutrient solution (230) are formed at the bottom of the cultivation devices (120), and wherein in a lower part of the cultivation devices (120), at least one drip tray (250) is placed for receiving the nutrient solution (230) flowing out through the drain passages (240), a humidification device (140) for providing a relative humidity of approx. 40- 80% in the closed space (110), an irrigation system (150) for supplying the nutrient solution (230), by means of a pump (234), from a central nutrient solution tank (152) through a conduit system (154) to the cultivation devices (120) storing the grafts (210), in particular to a plurality of drip bodies (236) arranged at an upper part of the cultivation devices (120), above the surface of the growing medium (220).

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that i) the at least one drip tray (250) is removable from the respective cultivation device (120), or ii) a circulating pump is coupled to the at least one drip tray (250) for returning the nutrient solution (230) collected in the drip trays (250) to the drip bodies (236).

9. The system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the cultivation devices (120) used for storing the grafts (210), a grid-like insert (130) is arranged for separating the grafts (210), wherein the grid openings of said insert have a width of at least approx. 4-8 cm in both directions.

10. The system according to any one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the growing medium (220) is a material selected from the group of: perlite, rockwool, coconut fiber, peat, peat-perlite mixture or any combination thereof.

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