November 1, 2015

Evaluation of performance of simultaneous use of ferti-activator mix of SANBIO line on the productivity of table grapes variety ´Muscat Italia´ in Tunisia

Tunis, Tunisia (November 01, 2015) – At first glance, Tunisia appears to be too hot for wine production. Located on the northern coast of Africa, bordered by Libya and Algeria, with the Saharan Desert on the southern border and the Mediterranean Ocean on the eastern edge, it has a Mediterranean climate with maritime influences, very much like Sicily. Except for the rare blast of hot Saharan wind known as Sirocco, the climate is very conducive to growing grapes.

Lack of water and inadequate irrigation management can lead to water stress, which is a key disruptive factor in producing quality table grapes. The SANBIO ferti-activators can control biotic and abiotic stress and have positive impact to vegetative and resistive processes.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of simultaneous use of different ferti-activators of SANBIO line on productivity of table grapes variety ´Muscat Italia´.

This project is being carried out within the collaboration between Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Plant Sciences, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Winery Mongi Winich, Tunisia and SANBOS GmbH, Germany.

1. Materials and methods

Table 1. Basic data

Season	2015
Location	Tunisia, Mornag, Southeast of Tunis City Picture 1: Vineyard
Organization	Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Plant Sciences, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia Winery Mongi Winich
Crop	Table grapes
Variety	Muscat Italia
Trial field	1 block system, 2 ha
Method	spaced by 2,75*3 m, 1125 trees/ha
Irrigation	drip irrigation, water is not salty (<1g/L) and pH is 8 (slightly alcaline)
Test product	Sanbio EPSOMIT / PLANTA / VITAL, manufactured by SANBOS GmbH, Germany
Application	15/06/2015: 1 kg/ha SANBIO PLANTA 29/06/2015: 1 kg/ha SANBIO EPSOMIT 06/07/2015: 1 L/ha SANBIO VITAL 22/06/2015: 1.5 L/ha SANBIO VITAL All products have been applied onto ground and dilluted in 500 L/ha water.
Date of planting	2003
Date of application	06-07/2015
Date of harvest	09/2015
Scoring	Yield, profitability

2. Results

2.1 Yield

Table 2. Productive performance

Parameter	Unit	Control	SANBIO product mix
Weight	t/ha	25	40

Figure 1. Yield calculated as weight of table grapes (t/ha)

The yield calculated as weight of table grapes per hectare was increased by 15 t/ha, resp. +60% at the treated plot compared to untreated control lot.

2.2 Profitability