Research Snapshots

Discover the Cutting-Edge with "Research Snapshots"

Join us every month for "Research Snapshots", a dynamic series of research presentations from organisations within the New Zealand Wine Centre (Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Plant and Food Research, and Bragato Research Institute).

Each "snapshot" is designed to provide a quick yet insightful overview of key findings, methodologies, and potential implications of the diverse and innovative research currently being undertaken by the NZWC research community. Each session is dedicated to a specific theme, bringing together research experts to share their latest findings. An excellent opportunity for industry to engage with researchers, ask questions, and explore opportunities for collaboration to solve current and future industry problems.

Please contact Stewart Field, stewart.field@nmit.ac.nz, to be put on the mailing list for details about the session topic themes.

Research snapshots are held at the MRC Theatre in the NZ Wine Centre, 85 Budge Street

Date: Tuesday, 14th January

Time: 10:30 AM
Venue: MRC Lecture Theatre, Budge Street

Clive Kaiser

Effects of KȎTI, a Cuticle Supplement, on Wine Grapes

The effects of a novel food grade cuticle supplement that has been tested on wine grapes, cherries and apples for 3 years in Oregon and Washington. Aspects that will be covered include water savings and soil moisture measurement, maturity, yield and fruit quality. 

(Dr. Clive Kaiser was raised in South Africa and undertook his PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has worked in academia, government and private industry in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. He joined Oregon State University in 2006 and was promoted through the ranks to full Professor in 2017. In September 2019, he became the Interim Director of the Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center and in October 2020, he was also appointed as the Interim Director of the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center. He has conducted research that focuses on producing food grade edible plant coatings that reduce fruit cracking, prevent insects from laying eggs and help prevent moisture loss from leaves and fruit. His efforts have resulted in 3 patents with him as senior author. He is also the recipient of multiple National, Regional and State Awards and in 2019, he was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents. In July 2021, he moved to Lincoln University, New Zealand where he took up the role of Associate Professor in Horticulture and has been engaged in Industry-led research and Extension efforts across a range of crops with multiple grower organizations.)

Amber Parker

Projected changes in precipitation patterns at key times of grapevine development under different climate scenarios

Too much or too little water input during the growth cycle of the grapevine is fundamental to production and yield. Understanding these extremes is critical for making multiple management decisions such as canopy, disease, irrigation, and nutrition-based management. With phenology predicted to advance, this could potentially alter the windows during which rainfall may be available or in excess compared to current conditions, and therefore influence our management approaches.

In this seminar, we demonstrate and discuss the effects of projected rainfall changes - total precipitation (mm), number of rain days, and rainfall intensity (average precipitation per rain day) – for key-region cultivar pairings in New Zealand: Sauvignon blanc-Marlborough, Merlot-Hawke’s Bay, and Pinot noir-Central Otago. The findings showcase similarities and differences in these specific pairings, as well future challenges to providing block level or evapotranspiration projections, and the importance of creating phenology-based projections. Audience feedback on application and implications of the findings will be encouraged, to support long-term planning and a sustainable, climate-adapted future for the industry. 

Katharina Steng 

Long-term Effects of Viticultural Management on Yield Dynamics and Drought Adaptation in Grapevines: Insights from the INBIODYN Trial

The INBIODYN trial, a long-term comparative study initiated in 2006 (Geisenheim University, Germany), provides unique insights into the effects of integrated, organic, and biodynamic viticultural practices on plant performance and vineyard sustainability. This talk will present a comprehensive analysis of the trial's findings, focusing on the system performance and yield dynamics under varying environmental conditions. While organic and biodynamic systems exhibit a consistent yield reduction compared to integrated management, our findings highlight a notable shift in yield patterns during hot and dry years. Under such conditions, organic and biodynamic systems demonstrate comparable or even superior yields relative to integrated systems. This resilience can be linked to long-term adaptations, potentially driven by superior rooting patterns and/or a beneficial shift in the soil and plant-associated microbiomes.

Lukas Fichtl

Exploring Grapevine Root System Architecture: How Rootstocks Shape Root Distribution and Spatial Soil Resource Acquisition

Understanding and optimizing root system architecture (RSA) is crucial for building climate-resilient agriculture. For grafted crops like grapevines, selecting rootstocks with RSA traits tailored to specific growing conditions offers a long-term strategy to address challenges such as drought and soil competition. Despite their importance, root systems of woody perennials remain the "hidden half," with limited data to guide practical decision-making. Over two years of vineyard establishment, we excavated and 3D-digitized 96 grapevine root systems, uncovering significant differences between rootstock genotypes. Our findings reveal how RSA impacts water uptake, interactions with cover crops, and spatial resource use, offering actionable insights for optimizing planting densities and sustainable vineyard management (e.g. cover cropping). This talk will showcase how innovative 3D phenotyping and modeling approaches could translate into practical tools for growers, empowering them to make informed decisions for more resilient and productive vineyards.