760 K. Popov and J. Arnaudova

Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 17 (No 6) 2011, 760-766 Agricultural Academy

Vineyard Microregioning in Kramolin (Suhindol Area, ) by GIS

K. Popov1 and J. Arnaudova2 1 University of Forestry, Agrarian Faculty, BG – 1471 , Bulgaria 2 Agrarian University, BG – 4002 , Bulgaria Abstract

Popov, K. and J. Arnaudova, 2011. Vineyard microregioning in kramolin (Suhindol area, Bulgaria) by gis. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 17: 760-766

Suhindol area is famous for its red wine grape varieties and is one of the approved areas for growing the variety Gamza. GIS (Geographical Information Systems) were used for vineyard microregioning in this area. Climate parameters were identified by simulation optimization. An analysis of suitable soils for vineyard growing was made based on the existing soil map of the area. The optimal conditions for the development of each vine variety were identified for each microregion, using preliminary defined limiting conditions. Three microregions were outlined for the production of good quality dry red wine and table grapes. Specific varieties and suitable vine rootstocks were defined, depending on the soil and climatic parameters.

Key words: Geographic Information System (GIS), regioning, microregioning, soils, climate, vine varieties, vine rootstocks

Introduction marlstone known as the Urgonian-Barremian type. The region is open to the north-east along The territory of Suhindol Municipality be- the waterlogged basin of Rossitsa river. The longs to the Pre-Balkan physical and geographi- lowest areas on this territory are along the Valley cal region, characterized with low elevations. of Rossitsa River at 130-150 m.a.s.l. The high The average height above sea level is 300-400 parts are located on karst limestone rocks while m. The highest location within the boundaries river deposits (alluvium) prevail in the terrace of the municipality is Suhindol Peak with 482 of Rossitsa River. m.a.s.l. The relief is complex, diverse and rug- The continental climate is softened by “Al- ged – plain, hilly and semi-mountainous with exander Stamboliiski” Dam, the semi-moun- prevalence of hilly terrains. The surrounding tainous terrain, rugged relief and forest nature hills are composed of limestone of different of the land. composition, namely, compact, coquinoid to The climate in this area is favorable for the Vineyard Microregioning in Kramolin (Suhindol Area, Bulgaria) by GIS 761 development of viticulture and growing high teristics of the studied area and present them quality grapes. as digital matrices. The suitable mathematical It is characteristic for the Middle (or Hillock) methods used as well as the relational languages region of the Danube undulating valley, which for deriving and processing of the necessary is part of the moderately continental European information gave the opportunity to perform a climatic area. It is characterized with a hot and multi-factorial analysis when selecting informa- comparatively dry summer and cold winter. tion (Arnaudova, 2008). The average annual air temperature in this area The purpose of the present project was to is 11°C. The coldest month is January with an outline the microregions on the territory of Kra- average monthly temperature of +1.2°C and the molin (Suhindol area) by means of GIS. warmest – July with an average of +21.8°C. The total air temperature during vegetation, mea- Material and Methods sured by the Suhindol Meteorological Station, was 3700.3° and the length of the vegetation The materials and methods of data processing period – 218 days. were described in detail in previous publications The annual precipitation was within 530 - (Arnaudova, 2008; Arnaudova and Popov, 2010) 650 mm. and included the following: Sunlight period during vegetation was 1806 hours, of which 745 hours during active veg- Preparation of materials and data for GIS etation (April-June), 650 during grain filling Graphic information (July-August) and 411 during grape ripening - digital cadastre map and map of reclaimed (September-October). property in the studied area. The digital model The area of Suhindol, which encompasses format was ZEM, CAD. Information source: the the territory of Suhindol, Kramolin, Koevtsi, Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency; and Byala Reka, belongs to the - digital large-scale soil map of the area 1:10 Northern viticultural region. Viticulture and 000. The soil maps reflected in detail the bound- wine production have been a major occupation aries between the separate soil types within the in this area for centuries, therefore, it was among frames of a single study. Information sources: the first to be approved for the production of vine The Soil Resources Agency and the Institute of seedlings, viticulture and wine production. The Soil Science “Nikola Pushkarov”; first Cooperative of Viticulture and Enology was - topographical maps in a scale 1:25 000 and established here in 1909. digital elevation matrices (DEM); This is a large area and the study was carried Attributable information out only on the territory of Kramolin village, • soil diversity – physical and chemical known for one of the best Gamza wines. parameters; A database for GIS was compiled for the • relief – inclination, exposure and slope purpose of viticultural microregioning that length; accounted for the complex influence of all • biological requirements of grape varieties, important factors in the development of vine grown for different purposes, to climate and varieties as well as decreased and facilitated soil. the process of microregioning (Arnaudova and Popov, 2010). Mathematical processing of data: The project required to combine data on the - regression analysis was used to derive geographic location and microclimatic charac- mathematical models of the polynomial type 762 K. Popov and J. Arnaudova

I and II. The insignificant coefficients were a certain type of graphic or attributable infor- evaluated by Student’s criterion (Mitkov and mation. Minkov, 1993); • Relational languages - the evaluation of total vegetation air tem- perature in °С allowed to derive the regression Results correlation between exposure and the calculated total vegetation air temperature in оС (Arnau- Natural conditions dova, 2008). Climatic The relief of the territory of Kramolin is Solving an optimization assignment diverse and complex – plain to hilly with 250- The mathematical formalization of the as- 450 m.a.s.l. and inclinations of 1 to 12° with signment to select a site for vine varieties was diverse exposure, most often to the south, north made under the following prerequisites: and east. The northern part, which has a higher • Identification of microclimate parameters above-sea level, has a plain to hilly relief with of the studied territory in compliance with the an inclination of 1 – 6°. The correlation (Tsum = conditions for yield formation and grape quality, 3813 - 0.308*H, R2 = 0.94 at significance of α = depending on the relief and landscape charac- 0.95 and validity limits of 60

Table 1 Characteristics of soil diversity in the first microregion by FAO (2006)

Description (in Teoha- Clay in plough рН in Humus, Humus, Strength, Depth of Inclina- Area,

rov, 2004, FAO 2006) layer, % Н2О % cm сm CaCO3 tion, º da from the Calcaric Chernozems 59.1 8 2.5 40 70 3-6 235.6 surface Haplic Chernozems 59.1 7 2.7 55 110 90 1-6 2017.7 Haplic Chernozems 57.4 6.8 2.7 35 80 60 1-6 3255.5 Haplic Chernozems 59.7 7 2.2 35 80 90 0-3 1089.3 6598.1

Table 2 Characteristics of soil diversity in the second microregion by FAO (2006)

Description (Teo- Clay in plough рН in Humus, Humus, Strength, Depth of Inclina- Area, harov, 2004, FAO layer, % Н О % cm сm CaCO tion, º da 2006) 2 3 Eutric Fluvisols 52.1 6.8 3.1 85 180 100 1-3 581.7 Eutric Fluvisols 55.3 7.2 3.2 125 160 90 1-3 732.3 1314

Table 3 Characteristics of soil diversity in the third microregion by FAO (2006)

Clay in Description рН in Humus, Humus, Strength, Depth of Inclina- Area, plough layer, by FAO Н О % cm сm CaCO tion, º da % 2 3 Rendzic from the 43 8 2.5 40 50 6-12 3199.8 Leptosols surface soils, participating in the evaluation of their - humus content in percentage 2-3 %; suitability for growing different vine varieties - soil reaction according to pH – from slightly (Tables 1, 2 and 3), allowed for the following acid to slightly alkaline and alkaline; limitation conditions: - soil strength over 50 cm and effect of the • red wines soil-forming rock. - total vegetation temperature – 3600- • table grapes 3900°C; - total vegetation temperature – 3600- - annual precipitation – 600-700 mm; 3900°C; - precipitation for September and October – - annual precipitation – 600-700 mm; 110 mm; - precipitation for September and October – - mechanical composition of the plough layer 110 mm; with physical clay content of 30-45%; - mechanical composition of the plough layer 764 K. Popov and J. Arnaudova

Fig. 1. Microregion map of the territory of Kramolin village with physical clay content of 20-45 %; - Exposure - diverse; - humus content in percentage – 3- 4 %; - Subsoil water level – 10 m; - soil reaction according to pH – from slightly Soil conditions – soil diversity is represented acid to slightly alkaline and alkaline; by medium-leached and carbonate Chernozems - soil strength over 50 cm and effect of the (Table 1). In terms of physical clay content they soil-forming rock. are light-clay (57-59%). Soil profile depth is 70- The climatic, soil and relief data for the 110 cm. Humus content is 2.2-2.7 % and humus Suhindol area lead to the identification of three horizon depth reaches 35-55 сm. microregions with different soil diversity and Suitable varieties and rootstocks: variet- total vegetative temperature (Figure 1). ies – red wine varieties – Merlot, Pinot Noir, Bouquet, Evmolpia, Plovdiv Malaga; rootstocks The first microregion – encompasses the – Chasselas х Berlandieri 41 B, Berlandieri plain and hilly territories in the central and х Riparia SO4; table varieties – Super Early northern part with an area of 6598.1 da. Bolgar, Armira, Black Pearl, , , Orography and above-sea level: The suitable Mechta, Dunav, Ryahovo, Blyan, Breeze, Katya, terrains in this area have a small inclination and Elitsa, Svilena, Lazur; rootstocks – Rupestris do were 400-500 m.a.s.l. Lot, Berlandieri х Riparia SO4. Climatic conditions: The total air temperature sum during the vegetation period was 3660- The second microregion encompasses the 3680°, the annual precipitation sum – 655-690 southern slopes in the hilly parts of the territory mm and the precipitation in September-October with an area of 1314 da. – 25.7-26.7 mm. Orography and above-sea level: The terrains - Inclination – 1-3°, 3-6º; are located at 300-370 m.a.s.l. Vineyard Microregioning in Kramolin (Suhindol Area, Bulgaria) by GIS 765

Climatic conditions: The total air temperature Ruen, Thracian Glory; rootstocks – Chasselas during the vegetative period was 3680-3700°; х Berlandieri 41 B, Ferkal; table – Bolgar, annual precipitation was 615-655 mm and pre- Italia, Muscat D’hamburg, Alphonse-lavallée, cipitation in September – October – 25.7-26.7 Palieri, Chaush, Super Early Bolgar, Armira, mm. Black Pearl, Pleven, Lyubimets, Mechta, - Inclination – 1-3º; Dunav, Ryahovo, Blyan, Breeze, Katya, Elitsa, - Exposure – diverse; Svilena, Lazur; rootstocks – Ferkal, Berlandieri - Subsoil water level – 10 m; х Rupestris 110 Richter. Soil conditions – soil diversity comprises alluvial-deluvial and deluvial-meadow soils Discussion (Table 2). Soils are light-clay by physical clay content (52-55%). Soil profile depth is 160-180 The complex research on the climatic and soil cm. Humus content is 3.1-3.2 % and the depth conditions and factors on the territory of Kramolin of humus horizon reaches 85-125 сm. (Suhindol area) resulted in the identification of a Suitable varieties and rootstock: varieties single temperature zone with a total temperature – table – Bolgar, Italia, Muscat D’hamburg, of 3652-3742° during vegetation that is suitable Alphonse-lavallée, Palieri, Chaush, Queen of for growing both red wine and table vine the Vineyard, Super Early Bolgar, Armira, Black varieties with different periods of grape ripening Pearl, Pleven, Lyubimets, Mechta, Dunav, Rya- – from the earliest to the latest. The following hovo, Blyan, Breeze, Katya, Elitsa, Svilena and parameters were established – average duration Lazur; rootstocks – Rupestris do Lot, Berland- of the vegetative period (218 days) and average ieri х Riparia SO4. monthly temperature of the warmest month – July – (+21.8оC) that were fully agreeable for The third microregion – encompasses the the normal vine development and good grape southern parts of the territory with an area of ripening of the varieties, proposed to be grown 3200 da. in all three microregions. Orography and above-sea level: This area has The annual precipitation sum was within the lowest above-sea level – 200-300 m. 537 – 700 mm, i.e. fully satisfactory for the Climatic conditions: The total air temperature water requirements of the wine vine varieties. during vegetation was 3700-3740°, total annual The most common and suitable soil diver- precipitation – 537.1-615 mm and precipitation sity was identified as well – medium-leached in September-October – 27.8-29.8 mm. Chernozems (Haplic Chernozems) (6362 da), Inclination – 6-12º; light-clay Rendzins (Rendzic Leptosols) (3200 Exposure – southeast; da), alluvial-deluvial and deluvial soils (Eutric Subsoil water level – 10 m; Fluvisols) (1314 da). Soil conditions – soil diversity is represented Chernozem soils (Haplic Chernozems, by Rendzins (humus-carbonate) (Table 3). Soils Calcaric Chernozems) in the First Microregion are characterized as heavy sandy-clay by physi- are light-clay (57.4-59.7% clay content), which cal clay content (43 %). Soil profile depth is 50 is a prerequisite for heavier red wines. This cm. Humus content of soil is 2.5 % and humus requires a more specific vinification technology horizon depth – up to 40 сm. and longer maturity. The outlined microregions Suitable varieties and rootstocks: varieties – on the territory of Kramolin gave a full red wine – Gamza, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, description of the soil and climatic conditions Pinot Noir, Bouquet, Evmolpia, Plovdiv Malaga, and a possibility to identify the viticultural Vineyard Microregioning in Kramolin (Suhindol Area, Bulgaria) by GIS 766 regions. The developed models will help farmers rootstocks were proposed based on the data to decide how to use their land and select the about soil carbonate content. suitable varieties. The microregioning project on the territory References of Kramolin in 1997 identified four microre- gions (Popov et al., 1997). The inspection of Arnaudova, J. and K. Popov, 2010. Application of Geo- the terrain at that time lead to the study of the graphical Information Systems (GIS) in microregioning of soil diversity, suitable for vineyards, including vine varieties in Bulgaria. Agricultural Science, ХLІІІ (5): white wine varieties. 28-33 (Bg). Due to the fact that the above-mentioned soil Arnaudova, J. and K. Popov, 2011. The use of GIS in viticulture diversity (deluvial-coluvial soils – carbonate, microregioning in the area of Suhindol… (първата статия за medium and heavy sandy clay; Rendzins – me- Агрожурнал ) dium sandy clay) were not mapped on the soil Arnaudova, J., 2008. Optimization models for vine varieties map, used for the present study, they were not microregioning using Geographical Information Systems. included in the microregioning process. Thesis Summary, Agr. Univ., Plovdiv, 35 рр. (Bg). FAO, 2006. World Reference Base for Soil Resources. Rome Conclusion Italy, 131 pp. Mitkov, A. and D. Minkov, 1993. Statistical Methods for Farm- The complex study of the climatic and soil ing Equipment Studies. part II. Zemizdat, 368 pp. (Bg). conditions and factors lead to the optimized Popov, K., 1997. Microregioning of the viticultural potential identification of the microclimatic parameters of Bulgaria – organization and structure. Viticulture and of the studied territory and complete evaluation Enology, XLV (4): 26-28 (Bg). of the effects of accompanying factors as well Popov, K., 1998. Peculiarities of vineyard regioning. Viticulture as the climatic zones and soils, most suitable and Enology, XLVI (4): 27-28; (5): 26 (Bg). for vineyards. Popov, K., K. Katerov, M. Penkov, D. Babrikov, S. Pandeliev The application of GIS outlined the bound- and B. Mandjukov, 1997. Regioning of the viticultural aries of three microregions on the territory of potential of Bulgaria. Suhindol area (abstract). Viticulture Kramolin (Suhindol area). and Enology, XLV (6): 28-30 (Bg). The data on the climate and soil diversity Teoharov, M., 2004. Correlation of soils reflected on the map allow for the selection of suitable varieties for and Bulgarian classification with the World Reference Base good quality dry red wines and table grapes to for Soil Resources (WRBSR, 2002). Soil Science, Agro- be grown in the three microregions. Suitable chemistry and Ecology, (4): 3-13 (Bg).

Received December, 1, 2010; accepted for printing September, 2, 2011.