How soil forming processes determine viticultural zoning in Catalonia, Spain.

摘要

The aim of this paper is to analyze whether the soil forming processes determined in representative vineyard soils, through their effects on soil properties and classification, deserve to be considered in a viticultural zoning based on soil surveys. Many viticultural zoning studies are based on the relationships between grape and wine quality and certain soil properties or different soil forming factors, but there are no studies that consider possible relationships with soil forming processes. The study area produces high quality wines and is located in Priorat and Penedes viticultural areas (Catalonia, Spain). The studied soils belong to representative soil map units, which were determined according to the Soil Survey Manual (SSS 1993), at a 1:5,000 scale. A micromorphological study was undertaken in order to clarify or identify pedogenic processes. The soil forming processes, identified through morphological and micromorphological analyses, had direct effects on soil properties and soil classification. These properties, especially those related to the soil moisture regime, the available water capacity and the calcium carbonate content, had a direct influence on the type of management and quality of grapevine production. We show that the parent material or climate alone cannot be used in viticultural zoning, unless soil forming processes are taken into account.