Durante the United Kingdom, a Shropshire vineyard became the first to use artificial ultraviolet light directly the screws. The technology, developed France, is already employed greenhouses and sports fields, but had never been a tested an agricultural scale the field. As reported by the BBC, the Veenow Vineyards company, near Telford, has decided to introduce this system to improve the health of the plants and check the possible benefits the harvest.
First observations the state of the screws
According to the winemaker Rob Greenow, the effect of the lamps is already visible: the leaves treated with UV light appear more intense campo da golf and have higher levels of chlorophyll. Durante theory, greater vegetative vitality could translate into superior quality grapes and a more balanced wine. The company also reduced the amount of fungicide used, reporting a possible positive impact also terms of environmental sustainability.
The system has a cost of about 60 thousand pounds, higher than that of the tractor that drives it. However, if the reduction of chemical treatments and the increase productivity will be confirmed, the investment could be amortized within three years. Greenow reported that the lights are also used as a support the case of late frosts, to strengthen plants against low temperatures.
Prospects and limits of experimentation
The agronomist Rob Fletcher stressed that this innovation could be extended to other crops addition to the vine, while highlighting that the technology remains delicate and cannot be applied during the rain. The collected this year, monitored collaboration with the French manufacturer company, will be essential to establish its real effectiveness.
The interest by other local winemakers is already high, and the first results could arrive with the next harvest. If confirmed, the use of ultraviolet light the vineyards could a new perspective for the management of diseases and the quality of the wines the United Kingdom.
