South Africa Wine Research Projects 2025

2. VITICULTURE RESEARCH COMPLETED PROJECT

SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE: A FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH AND ON-FARM PRACTICE

SAGWRI ES 23-01 Prof Evodia Setati, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute,

Stellenbosch University Project completed: 2024

AIM AND INDUSTRY RELEVANCE: Soil health is essential for sustainable viticulture, directly affecting grapevine productivity, fruit quality, and the long-term viability of vineyards. This project aimed to identify key soil health indicators pertinent to viticulture and to develop a framework that guides sustainable soil man agement practices within the South African wine industry. Through a survey of 108 industry stakeholders and a literature review, the project evaluated current soil analysis practices and highlighted significant gaps, particularly in biological indicators. While chemical and physical parameters are well understood with established norms, biological indicators such as microbial activity and mycorrhizal colonisation lack standard benchmarks. Da ta-sharing constraints among producers hindered the development of a comprehensive database; however, the study successfully produced a reference framework outlining selected indicators and proposed guidelines for future practice. The results emphasise the urgent need for standardised, cost-effective biological assays and regional norms to support evidence-based decision-making in vineyard soil management. This work establishes the foundation for further research and industry collaboration in integrating biological indicators into routine soil health monitoring in viticulture.

SOUTH AFRICA WINE RESEARCH 2025

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