METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE TOPO-CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A GEOGRAPHIC AREA

Abstract

The complex topographic and climatic characteristics of a geographic area, or plot of land, are expressed by means of an index product (SRI) which allows to link such plot to the qualitative properties of a given agricultural product (P) or to a plant variety able to produce said agricultural product, for example a vine and a wine.

Claims

1. Method for determining the topo-climatic identity of a geographic area, or plot, the aforesaid method being implemented by means of computerized means, the aforesaid method comprising the following steps: (i) selecting a geographic position belonging to said geographic area; (ii) performing a simulated GSA analysis to estimate the potential solar radiation (SR) in said geographic position during said at least one cultivation time period (Q) of said agricultural product (P); (iii) calculating, by the aid of the aforesaid computerized means, at least one topo-climatic parameter (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH) as a function of the solar radiation (SR) to which the soil is subjected in said geographic position during at least one cultivation time period (Q) of said agricultural product (P); (iv) associating said at least one topo-climatic parameter (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH) calculated in step (iii) with said geographic position selected in said step (i), said at least one topo-climatic parameter (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH) being indicative of the properties of said agricultural product.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said steps (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are carried out for a plurality of geographic positions belonging to said geographic area.

3. Method according to claim 2, comprising the step of subdividing said geographic area by means of a raster of cells having an extent selected as a function of the type of said agricultural product, and a step of carrying out a weighted average of the topo-climatic parameters calculated in said step (iii) as a function of the number of cells.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one cultivation time period (Q) of said agricultural product (P) comprises at least one time period selected between: a vegetative growth period of the agricultural product, a sprouting period of the agricultural product, a maturation period of the agricultural product, another significant period for the bio-varietal particularities and with qualities of the product.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of applying a mathematical function to said at least one topo-climatic parameter (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH) so that the value of said function defines two given values of reference.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said agricultural product is an agricultural food product, and wherein said properties of said agricultural product are organoleptic properties of said agricultural food product and/or the variety of said agricultural product.

7. Process for producing agricultural products characterized by comprising the following steps: (a) providing a database (DB) containing a plurality of agricultural products (P), wherein a classification index of the agricultural product (SRIP) comprising at least one topo-climatic parameter (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH), representative of the solar radiation to which the agricultural product is subjected during at least one cultivation time period (Q), is associated with each product, wherein said at least one cultivation time period (Q) is significant for the quality of the agricultural product (P); (b) selecting an agricultural product (P) to be cultivated from the database; (c) providing a map of a geographic area or a database of geo-referenced data, which comprises a plurality of geographic positions in which a territorial classification index (SRInn) comprising at least one corresponding topo-climatic parameter (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH) representative of the solar radiation to which its soil is subjected during said at least one cultivation time period of the agricultural product selected, is associated with each geographic position; (d) selecting at least one range of variability of the classification index of the agricultural product (SRIP) referring to two threshold values indicative of the degree of precision in the reproducibility of said agricultural product selected in said step (b), said range of variability being significant for the characteristics of the agricultural product; (e) determining at least one geographic position in said map so that the territorial classification index and the classification index of the agricultural product selected in said step (b) are referred to the range of variability selected in said step (d); and (f) cultivating said agricultural product (P) selected in said step (b) in said at least one geographic position determined in said step (e).

8. Process according to claim 7, wherein said classification index of the agricultural product (SRIP) further comprises the altitude (Height) at which said agricultural product (P) was cultivated and/or at least one geopedological parameter of the soil in which said agricultural product (P) was cultivated.

9. Process according to any one of preceding claims 7 to 8, wherein said step (a) comprises the step of performing a measure or a simulated GSA analysis of the potential solar radiation (SR) that strikes each single plot on which said agricultural product grows.

10. Process according to any one of preceding claims 7 to 9, wherein said step (c) comprises the step of performing a simulated GSA analysis to estimate the potential solar radiation of all cultivated homogeneous plots situated in said geographic area.

11. Process according to any one of preceding claims 7 to 10, wherein said at least one cultivation time period (Q) comprises a vegetative growth period of the agricultural product and/or a sprouting period of the agricultural product and/or a maturation period and/or another period anyhow significant for the bio-varietal particularities and with qualities of the agricultural product.

12. Process according to any one of preceding claims 7 to 11, wherein said plurality of agricultural products comprises a plurality of agricultural food products, preferably a plurality of vine or apple varieties.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures attached by way of example and without limitations, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a graphic representation of an SRI index;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a graphic representation of the numerical classification of a geographic area obtainable according to the method of the invention;

[0027] FIGS. 3 and 4 are 2D and 3D graphic representations, respectively, of the classification of a geographic area and its cultivated plots in a chromatic scale, as obtainable according to the method of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a graphic representation of a map of South Tirol showing the geographic areas of Val Venosta and Mazon and of a graph that clearly shows different values of the SRIV index for two different areas; and

[0029] FIG. 6 is a graphic representation of a map of South Tirol showing the geographic areas of Klaus and Penon-Kofi and of a graph that clearly shows the different values of the SRIH index for two different areas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] With reference to the attached FIGS. 1-4, the method of the invention provides to initially select a geographic position, for example a plot, such as a vineyard. Thus, a topo-climatic (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH) parameter is calculated with respect to the direct, diffuse and global solar radiation (SR) to which the soil is subjected in said geographic area during at least one cultivation time period Q of said agricultural product, for example a vine. As mentioned above, the SRI parameter can be obtained by means of a geospatial analysis of the territory (GSA) in which the value of potential direct and indirect radiation (defined “SR” and expressed in kwh/mq) is calculated for each single plot cultivated. A tool adapted for such simulation is, for example, the ArcGIS “Area Solar Radiation” (ESRI, 2015) tool which allows to calculate the amount of direct and indirect solar radiation received by the raster surfaces during a specific time period. The ArcGIS program is normally used to calculate, for example, the potential radiation on roofs for the installation of solar panels.

[0031] The previous step is preferably carried out by using data pertaining to the geological and morphological characteristics of the plot, thus inclination, orientation, height (asl altitude) and the sources of shade present on the plot. The geological and morphological data can be detected on site, in a way known in the art, or found in databases, if available. The SRI data obtained allows to associate at least one topo-climatic parameter (SRIv, SRIs, SRIH) calculated as above with said previously selected geographic position.

[0032] By applying a conventional graphical representation procedure described below, the main acronym SRI is coined together with variable subscript acronyms, which specify the territorial reference of the index. For example: SR.sub.nn defines the characteristic range of the wine region, while SRI.sub.P is the value referred to an agricultural product (a specific vineyard for example). SRI represents a numerical index value, for example between 0 and 100, defined according to a territorial standardization formula of the energy SR data, already calculated by the aforesaid GSA simulation. The SRIv index data is between the SRI (min) and SRI (MAX) values elaborated from the potential solar radiation received by the vineyard on the geographic territory being assessed, but is averaged for a number of raster cells which, together, form a significant surface for the analysis in progress. In the event of vineyards, for example, a significant area, consisting of a number of adjacent raster cells forming a useful surface together for the minimum production of a single wine batch, is considered.

[0033] Each cultivated plot or vineyard has its own topo-climatic identity defined with the process according to the invention. This must also be represented in a conventional way so that to be readable and compared among different places. For example, when considering a vineyard, SRI.sub.V (V=vineyard) is the index referred to the entire vegetative period of the plant, SRI.sub.S (S=sprout) and SRI.sub.H (H=harvest) are respectively the values of the index for the sprouting, final maturation and harvesting periods of the fruit. Also the height represents a topo-climatic element to be represented in a conventional way.

[0034] The object of the invention is achieved by claim 1. Preferential embodiments are described in the dependent claims. The object is described below by referring, for explanatory simplicity, to the vineyard and wine, but the process according to the invention can also be linked to the growth and production of various agricultural food products.

[0035] The topo-climatic effects expressed by the SRI parameter according to the invention are clear in the test survey conducted in South Tirol. Direct connections between SRIv, the geographic position of the vineyards, the grape varieties, as well as the quality of their musts and wines, were observed. This invention according to the process allows to identify the optimal and excellent conditions, but also the critical ones for the growth of the vines, in the various varieties, and for the production of quality wine. The SRI index according to the invention shows that homogeneous portions of the territory and/or each single vineyard or cultivated plot can be correlated to the quality of its plants and its wines. When used alone or in combination with other geopedological, climatic and varietal elements, the invention supports the geographical selection of the vineyards with relation to the quality of the wine that the wine grower wishes to achieve and also assists in the search of ideal sites for new vineyards, or of the best grape varieties for planting, also in the perspective of reducing the vulnerability of the wine product in view of future climatic changes.

[0036] The invention provides practical help for the territorial subdivision provided by the wine regulations, and can also be used to recognize or enhance the wine areas intended for the production of quality agricultural foods.

[0037] The process according to the invention provides a tool of easy and concrete assistance for the analysis of the quality of wines and for the further development of wine practices. The invention allows to have a more precise cataloging of the territory in favor of its wine and its agricultural products. By applying the invention, producers and consumers can have clear scientific references available to assess and certify the original quality of the agricultural food products.

[0038] In an aspect, the invention allows to provide which plant varieties, vines for example, are most appropriate for being used in a given position or geographic area. Similarly, the process of the invention allows to provide the organoleptic characteristics of the wine obtained with a given variety of vines in the geographic position analyzed. The process for the production of agricultural products through the use of the SRI parameter described and discussed above comprises the following steps:

a. providing a database (DB) containing a plurality of agricultural products (P), wherein a classification index of the agricultural product (SRIP) comprising at least one topo-climatic parameter (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH), representative of the solar radiation to which the agricultural product is subjected during at least one cultivation time period (Q), is associated with each product, wherein said at least one cultivation time period (Q) is significant for the quality of the agricultural product (P);
b. selecting an agricultural product (P) to be cultivated from the database;
c. providing a map of a geographic area or a database of geo-referenced data, which comprises a plurality of geographic positions in which a territorial classification index (SRInn) comprising at least one corresponding topo-climatic parameter (SRIV, SRIS, SRIH) representative of the solar radiation to which this specific soil is subjected during said at least one cultivation time period of the agricultural product selected, is associated with each geographic position;
d. selecting at least one range of variability of the classification index of the agricultural product (SRIP) referring to two threshold values indicative of the degree of precision in the reproducibility of said agricultural product selected in said step (b), said range of variability being significant for the characteristics of the agricultural product;
e. determining at least one geographic position in said map so that the territorial classification index and the classification index of the agricultural product selected in said step (b) are referred to the range of variability selected in said step (d).

[0039] In an aspect of the invention, the classification index of the agricultural product (SRIP) further comprises the altitude (Height) at which the agricultural product (P) was cultivated and/or at least one geopedological parameter of the sediments composing the soil or sub-soil concerned by the root apparatus in which said agricultural product (P) was cultivated. The geopedological parameter comprises, for example, at least the basic aspects of the sediment that qualify its origin, stratigraphy, texture, mineralogical components of silicate and/or carbonate nature, as well as the aquifer condition.

[0040] As discussed above, an SRI parameter referred to at least one cultivation time period (Q), comprising a vegetative growth period of the agricultural product and/or a sprouting period of the agricultural product and/or a maturation period and/or another period anyhow significant for the bio-varietal particularities and with qualities of the agricultural product, is used.

[0041] FIGS. 3 and 4 graphically represent indexes, i.e. SRI parameters obtained for a plurality of cultivated plots, i.e. of geographic positions in a geographic area.

[0042] In conclusion, the topo-climate of a plot of land is a multi-parametric element that varies according to the seasons. The analysis process and the algorithm of standardization according to the present invention rationalize the complex geographic data into a single product index (SRI) that is more adapted to meet the functional needs and purposes. The “product” of the invention consisting of the SRI index allows to link such plot or geographic area to the qualitative properties of a given agricultural product (P) or to a plant variety adapted to produce said agricultural product, for example a vineyard and a wine.

[0043] In other words, considering the example of the vine cultivation, the invention allows, once the SRI value of the vineyard being assessed has been determined and the variety of the vines cultivated therein are known, to be able to assess, i.e. determine, the organoleptic properties of the must or wine produced from such vineyard. The enologist technician can thus use the information to assemble different quantities of wines obtained from different vineyards, wines for which the characteristics are known, to achieve a wine with the desired characteristics. Similarly, the expert technician can use the information to select the best variety of vines to cultivate in the predetermined geographic position so that to obtain a wine with the desired characteristics.

[0044] FIG. 5, which is a graphic representation of a map of South Tirol showing the geographic areas of Val Venosta and Mazon and of a graph that clearly shows different SRI.sub.v index values for two different areas, is depicted as a further example.

[0045] The enological characteristics of wines coming from these two different areas are different from one another. In particular it can be demonstrated that the concentrations of anthocyanins and tannins can be directly correlated to the geographic position of the respective vineyards because such concentrations are directly affected by the nature of the solar radiation. As emerges from FIG. 5, the SRIV index appears to be able to clearly distinguish the two areas.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a graphic representation of a map of South Tirol showing the geographic areas of Klaus and Penon-Kofi and of a graph that clearly shows the different values of the SRIH index for two different areas.

[0047] Also in this case, the SRIH index is able to distinguish the different characteristics of the two areas assessed, i.e. in the case of the Penon-Kofi area, for example, at higher altitudes, lower values of the SRIH index can be noted.