Contribution of nitrogen from urea applied at different rates and times on grapevine nutrition

In Brazilian vineyards planted in sandy soils, nitrogen (N) should be applied at optimal rates and timing that correspond to greatest demand, thus minimizing N losses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the grapevine N distribution and recovery of urea-N-15 applied at budding and bloom. In 2009, in a vineyard (Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) planted in Santana do Livramento, south Brazil, grapevines were treated with 10 kg N ha(-1) at budding +10 kg N ha(-1) at full bloom (10B + 10F); 20 kg N ha(-1) at budding +20 kg N ha(-1) at full bloom (20B + 20F); 20 kg N ha(-1) at budding (20B); and 40 kg N ha(-1) at full bloom (40F). Budding of grapevines in 2009 and 2010 was at the end of August and full bloom in November. In February 2010 and 2011, grapevine organs (leaves, berries, stem and roots) were collected, and in February 2011 soil samples were also collected in the profile. The wine-producing grapevines grown in the sandy soil took up more N derived from 20B treatment, compared with other N treatments, especially in the first crop season. The N derived from fertilizer applied at different rates and time was preferentially distributed in annual plant organs, but most N contained in the plant organs was derived from other sources than the fertilizer N. In the following season, N-15 applied in the previous year was recovered preferentially in leaves and fruits, again in low amounts. Nitrogen derived from fertilizer applied at different rates and time in a sandy soil apparently contributes little to grapevine nutrition. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.