Climate-induced changes in grapevine yield and must sugar content in Franconia (Germany) between 1805 and 2010

PLoS One. 2013 Jul 23;8(7):e69015. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069015. Print 2013.

Abstract

When attempting to estimate the impacts of future climate change it is important to reflect on information gathered during the past. Understanding historical trends may also aid in the assessment of likely future agricultural and horticultural changes. The timing of agricultural activities, such as grape harvest dates, is known to be influenced by climate and weather. However, fewer studies have been carried out on grapevine yield and quality. In this paper an analysis is undertaken of long-term data from the period 1805-2010 on grapevine yield (hl/ha) and must sugar content (°Oe) and their relation to temperature. Monthly mean temperatures were obtained for the same time period. Multiple regression was used to relate the viticulture variables to temperature, and long-term trends were calculated. Overall, the observed trends over time are compatible with results from other long term studies. The findings confirm a relationship between yield, must sugar content and temperature data; increased temperatures were associated with higher yields and higher must sugar content. However, the potential increase in yield is currently limited by legislation, while must sugar content is likely to further increase with rising temperatures.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / history
  • Carbohydrates / analysis*
  • Climate Change*
  • Germany
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Temperature
  • Vitis / chemistry*
  • Vitis / growth & development

Substances

  • Carbohydrates

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Technische Universität München - Institute for Advanced Study, funded by the German Excellence Initiative (www.tum-ias.de). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.