Recommendations and Commentary by Stefano Poni
AJEV Associate Editor
Direttore, Istituto di Frutti-Viticoltura
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
www.unicatt.it
Since the pioneer work by Mark Kliewer and Richard Smart, canopy management of vineyards has received much attention over the last two decades, leading to many excellent contributions. While former research primarily focused on the general principles for optimal light distribution within a canopy, most recent contributions have had to consider climate change effects and have addressed in more detail how canopy management impacts cluster microclimate, with particular emphasis on color and flavor compounds. In organizing this rich collection of research, selected articles are classified according to the main summer vineyard pruning practices: shoot thinning, shoot trimming, leaf removal, and cluster thinning.
• Canopy Management (general articles)