May 2015 P R A C T I C A L W I N E R Y & V I N E YA R D 79 May 2015 P R A C T I C A L W I N E R Y & V I N E YA R D 79
G R A P E G R O W I N G
reaction of elemental sulfur to sulfate on
the soil surface, which would be moved
by water off-site during dormant season
storms. Thus, we hypothesized that the
hydrology of vineyards is a major driver
of the fate of applied sulfur.
Studying the fate of applied sulfur
in vineyards
Immediate fates of applied sulfur
studied at a St. Helena, Calif., vineyard
The vineyard block used in this study
has Boomer-Forward-Felta rocky loam
soils on 30% to 50% slopes underlain
by Franciscan mélange (includes grey-
wacke, chert, serpentinite and green-
stone).
Vines are Cabernet Sauvignon grafted
on AxR-1 rootstock, planted in rows
perpendicular to the dominant slope
with predominately western exposure.
Immediately prior to and following two
applications of elemental sulfur, surface
soil samples (0-2 cm or 0-0.8 inches) were
Sulfur spraying by helicopter in a Carneros vineyard experiencing a wet spring.
PHOTO
BY
E.S.
HINCKLEY
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