Abstract:
Objective This study aims to evaluate the effects of integrating bio-organic fertilizer as a partial substitute for chemical fertilizers with fertigation technique on improving the yield, quality, and economic benefits of wine grapes.
Method A three-year field trial was conducted with 9-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines at Gansu Ease Estate Winery in Minqin County, Wuwei City, Gansu Province. The trial included three treatments: flood irrigation with surface-applied chemical fertilizers (FI), traditional fertigation (CK), and fertigation with partial substitution of chemical fertilizers by bio-organic fertilizers (OI). By comparing grape yield, quality, and economic benefits among the treatments, the study assessed the advantages, disadvantages, and suitable conditions for bio-organic fertilizer substitution and other water-fertilizer management strategies.
Result Compared with FI and CK treatments, the OI treatment significantly reduced irrigation water and fertilizer usage while notably increasing wine grape yield by 4.95% and 6.16%. Water and fertilizer use efficiency was significantly improved, with economic benefits reaching 30,958.54 CNY per hectare and the output-to-input ratio increasing to 2.31. Additionally, key quality indicators, such as soluble solids, reducing sugars, sugar-acid ratio, total phenols and anthocyanin contents in grape berries under the OI treatment were significantly higher than those under the FI and CK treatments.
Conclusion The combination of bio-organic fertilizer partial substitution and fertigation technique, compared with flood irrigation with surface-applied chemical fertilizers and traditional fertigation, not only conserves water and fertilizer resources, but also effectively improves the yield, quality and economic benefits of wine grapes. This approach holds great potential for application and promotion.