Soil properties of vineyards on arkoses as a basis to understand their suitability and optimum performance

Abstract

AbstractThe study of the soil properties and geochemistry of vineyard soils of the Méntrida Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) (central Spain) was performed to better understand the role of soil as a terroir component and to contribute to sustainable vineyard management. Soil physico‐chemical characteristics were determined, along with the content of trace elements (by placing emphasis on rare earths) in topsoils and subsoils. The dominant soil types were Inceptisols, Alfisols and Entisols (USDA soil classificacion), i.e., Cambisols, Luvisols and Regosols in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) system. They were all deep and well‐structured. Our findings reveal that soil‐available nitrogen (N) ranged from 0.03 to 0.21 (%), with soil‐available phosphorus (P) ranging from 0.20 to 40.50 (mg·kg−1). pH had a mean of 6.33 (range: 4.4–8.7) in the ten observations, and a degree of mesotrophic saturation in bases (V%), except in one that had a 100% value (soils where carbonates were absent, save exceptional cases). A medium to high cation exchange capacity (CEC) was found (range: 9.8–38.3 cmol·kg−1). The mean values of elements' contents were (mg·kg−1): Sc 14.8, V 32.13, Cr 23.09, As 4.01, Ni 8.57, Cu 6.43, Zn 30.13, Rb 143.49, Sr 63.03, Y 15.39, Ba 374,44, La 25.87, Ce 43.77, Pb 22.25, Nd 21.28. They decreased in this order: Ba > Rb > Sr > Ce > V > Zn > La > Cr > Pb > Nd > Y > Sc > Cu > As. The results confirm the importance of soils for the PDO, with an optimum condition to produce grapevine quality laying the foundations to obtain a good wine. Our findings provide insights into the importance of pedological properties for regulating soil nutrient availability across soil types, and support soil resource utilization management in regional viticulture.