GROWING MEDIA AND METHOD FOR GROWING GRAPES IN AN ENCLOSED ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Growing media for growing a grape variety in a controlled indoor environment, such as a greenhouse, where the growing media includes soil, at least one soil enhancer, which assists the soil in retaining nutrients and water and compost.

Claims

1-56. (canceled)

57. A growing media for growing a grape variety in a controlled environment; said media comprising soil, at least one soil enhancer, and compost, wherein said soil is potting soil, said soil enhancer is charcoal and said compost is vermicompost, wherein said potting soil comprises at least one of: i) sphagnum peat moss, coir, perlite, a wetting agent, at least one of the following: processed forest products, peat, and/or compost); ii) a minimum of about 0.21% N, a minimum of about 0.11% P.sub.2O.sub.5 and a minimum of K.sub.2O of about 0.16% based on F1144 analysis; and combinations thereof, and fertilizer, wherein said fertilizer comprises Nitrogen (N), Phopshate (P.sub.2O.sub.5) and Potash (K.sub.2O), wherein said Nitrogen is from ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and combinations thereof, said Phosphate is available Phosphate and said Potash is soluble Potash.

58. The growing media of claim 57 wherein said minimum of about 0.21% N comprises about 0.113% ammoniacal nitrogen and about 0.097% nitrate nitrogen.

59. The growing media of claim 57 wherein a portion of the Nitrogen, Available Phosphate and Soluble Potash are in a slow release form.

60. The growing media of claim 57 wherein said charcoal is biochar.

61. The growing media of claim 57 wherein said growing media comprises from about 30% to about 90% potting soil, from about 5% to about 30% biochar, and from about 5% to about 50% vermicompost (worm casting).

62. The growing media of claim 57 wherein said growing media comprises about 70% potting soil, about 15% biochar, and about 15% vermicompost (worm casting).

63. The growing media of claim 57 further comprising Mycorrhizal fungi inoculant.

64. The growing media of claim 63 wherein said Mycorrhizal fungi inoculant is added at the onset of a first growth cycle.

65. The growing media of claim 63 wherein said Mycorrhizal fungi inoculant is at a concentration of about 54 mg inoculant/L water.

66. The growing media of claim 57 wherein said grape variety is selected from the group consisting of Frontenac Noir, Merlot, Syrah.

67. The growing media of claim 57 wherein said controlled environment is a greenhouse.

68. A method of fertigation of grapes comprising introducing, over a predetermined period and predetermined frequency, at least one nutrient to growing media of claim 57.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein said at least one nutrient comprises at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of N, K, Ca, P, Mg, B, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, S and combinations thereof.

70. The method of claim 68 wherein said at least one nutrient is selected from a combination of N, P, and K.

71. The method of claim 68 wherein said at least one nutrient further comprises a complexing agent.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein said complexing agent is citric acid.

73. The method of claim 68 wherein said at least one nutrient is introduced to said growing media before, during or after at least a new grapevine is planted in said growing media.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein said at least on nutrient is a combination of N, P, K, P.sub.2O.sub.5 and K.sub.2O and optionally citric acid.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein said combination comprises 211 mg/L N (8.0%), 23 mg/L P (2.0%), 66 mg/L K (3.0%), available phosphate (2.0%), soluble potash (3.0%) and optionally citric acid (18.8%).

76. The method of claim 68 further comprising supplemental nutrition comprising at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of N, K, Ca, P, Mg, B, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, S and combinations thereof.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein said supplemental nutrition comprises a mixture of N from about 63 to 210 ppm, K at about 235 ppm, Ca at about 200 ppm, P at about 31 ppm, Mg at about 48 ppm, B at about 0.5 ppm, Fe from about 1 to 5 ppm, Mn at about 0.5 ppm, Zn at about 0.05 ppm, Cu at about 0.02 ppm, Mo at about 0.01 ppm and S at about 64 ppm.

78. A feeding regimen for an indoor grape growing system, said regimen comprising the introduction of a combination of N, P, K, phosphate, potash and citric acid on or about the first day of a growth cycle, wherein said combination comprises 211 mg/L N (8.0%), 23 mg/L P (2.0%), 66 mg/L (K), available phosphate (2.0%), soluble potash (3.0%) and optionally citric acid (18.8%), further comprising introduction of a combination of N, K, Ca, P, Mg, B, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo and S, wherein said combination is a mixture of N from about 63 to 210 ppm, K at about 235 ppm, Ca at about 200 ppm, P at about 31 ppm, Mg at about 48 ppm, B at about 0.5 ppm, Fe from about 1 to 5 ppm, Mn at about 0.5 ppm, Zn at about 0.05 ppm, Cu at about 0.02 ppm, Mo at about 0.01 ppm and S at about 64 ppm.

79. The feeding regimen of claim 78 wherein said combination is introduced to said system on day 1, day 14, day 18, day 28, day 42, day 68, day 71, day 83 and day 109 of said growth cycle.

80. The feeding regimen of claim 78 wherein said mixture is introduced to said system on day 1, day 14, day 18, day 28, day 42, day 68, day 71, day 83 and day 109 of said growth cycle.

81. The method of claim 68 comprising control of climate conditions through a controlled environment wherein said controlled environment comprises at least one of the following: i) humidity level conducive to grape growing, ii) a controlled CO.sub.2 level, iii) a controlled temperature, iv) a controlled lighting condition, v) a controlled dark condition, and combinations thereof.

82. The method of claim 81 further comprising at least one of the following: i) said humidity level is from about 50-60% R.H., ii) said controlled CO.sub.2 level is about 502 ppm, iii) said controlled temperature is from between about 3 C. to about 27 C., depending on the period during a growth cycle, iv) said controlled lighting comprises a lighting length between about 8 hours to about 16 hours per day, depending on the period during the growth cycle, v) said controlled dark condition comprises a dark length between about 8 hours to about 16 hours per day, depending on the period during the growth cycle, vi) said lighting length provides solar radiation to said controlled environment, preferably about 700 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1, and combinations thereof.

83. The method of claim 81 wherein said controlled lighting, dark and temperature conditions are as follows: TABLE-US-00010 Day Dark Solar Days after (Light) (Night) Temperature Radiation transplant of Length Length Day/Night Day/Night grape vine hours hours C. mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 1 to 38 16 8 22/19 700/0 39 to 119 16 8 27/22 700/0 120 to 122 14 10 23/18 700/0 123 to 124 14 10 19/14 700/0 125 to 128 12 12 15/10 700/0 129 to 134 12 12 11/6 700/0 135 to 147 10 14 9/4 700/0 148 to 175 8 16 5/3 700/0

84. A growing media for growing deep root plants in a controlled environment; said media comprising soil, at least one soil enhancer, and compost.

85. The growing media of claim 84 wherein said soil is potting soil, said soil enhancer is charcoal and said compost is vermicompost.

86. The growing media of claim 84 wherein said controlled environment is an indoor environment.

87. The growing media of claim 84 wherein said potting soil comprises sphagnum peat moss, coir, perlite, a wetting agent, at least one of the following: processed forest products, peat, and/or compost), and fertilizer.

88. A method of growing deep root plants comprising introducing, over a predetermined period and predetermined frequency, at least one nutrient to growing media of claim 84.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0049] FIG. 1 is a depiction of the growth chamber layout of boxes.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a depiction of grape quality parameters for Frontenac Noir vines in their second growth cycle.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a depiction of Leaf count (left) and summer pruning dry weight (right) at day 76. Bars are means of four replications+/SD. Bars with the same lower case letters are not significant at =0.01 using Tukey test. Leaf count data was Log.sub.e to improve normally prior to analyses but is shown untransformed.

[0052] FIG. 4 depicts base vine area (left) and winter pruning wet weight (right) at day 168. Bars are means of four replications+/SD. There was no statistically significant differences between treatments with either measurement.

[0053] FIG. 5 depicts soil nitrate (NO.sub.3.sup.), available phosphorous (Olsen P) and available potassium (K.sup.+) in amendment samples after harvest. Bars are means of four replications+/SD. Bars with the same lower case letters are not significant at =0.01 using Tukey test.

[0054] FIG. 6 depicts grape yield parameters for Frontenac Noir vines in their second growth cycle. The treatments were potting soil (control; FN-PS) and Biochar+Vermicompost (FN-BV). Values are means for each treatment. Columns sharing the same letter are not significantly different at 5% probability level using LSD test.

[0055] FIGS. 7A and 7B depict wine grape quality parameters for Frontenac Noir vines in their second growth cycle. The treatments were potting soil (control; FN-PS) and Biochar+Vermicompost (FN-BV). Values are means of for each treatment. Columns sharing the same letter are not significantly different at 5% probability level using LSD test.

[0056] FIGS. 8A and 8B depict growing media chemistry parameters including pH, ammonium-N and nitrate-N. Frontenac Noir vines were at the end of their second growth cycle while Syrah and Merlot vines were at the end of their first growth cycle. The treatments were Frontenac Noir vines in potting soil (control; FN-PS) and Biochar+Vermicompost (FN-BV), and Syrah and Merlot in Biochar+Vermicompost media (Syrah-BV and Merlot-BV). Values are means of for each treatment. Columns sharing the same letter are not significantly different at 5% probability level using LSD test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example 1Growing of Frontenac Noir Wine Grape Variety in Various Growing Media

[0057] An objective was to assess grape vine establishment and growth during the first growth cycle in different growing media. The study was set up as a randomized block design (RCBD) with four blocks and four treatments. The treatments consisted of different growing media mixtures measure by volume: Control100 potting soil (Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix); BC70% potting soil, 30% Biochar; VC70% potting soil, 30% vermicompost (worm casting); and BC+VC70% potting soil, 15% Biochar and 15% vermicompost (worm casting). Biochar was sourced from Burt's Greenhouses, Odessa, Ontario. Vermicompost was sourced from Greenscience Technologies Inc., Toronto, Ontario. Micro-environmental chambers at Trent University School of Environment were used for this study. Eight experimental units were fit in each chamber (see FIG. 1). FIG. 1 represents a single micro-environment chamber containing eight experimental units or treatments or planter boxes (16 vines). A column of four planter boxes is defined by a block and each block contains one replication of each treatment. Each experimental unit (box) contains two Frontenac Noir vines (circles). A block was defined as one column of treatments on one side of a chamber. Each treatment consisted of a planter box with inner dimensions of 41 cm wide, 86.5 cm long and 24 cm high. Two 1 cm inner diameter drainage holes were installed at the base of each planter box with a plastic spout at each hole allowing for drainage water to be collected. Drainage water was recycled back to the treatment growth media as to reduce leaching of nutrients from the growth media. The bottom of each planter box (treatment box) was filled with sand (5 cm thick) to facilitate drainage. Each planter box was then filled to the top with growing media (this left about 10 cm between the top of the growing media and the top of the planter box once the growing media had settled). Two Frontenac Noir vines (grafted on a cross riparia and rupestris rootstock) were planted in each planter box. Each treatment box had two 80 cm lengths of soaker tube buried 5 cm deep at both sides of each vine in each box, supplying subsoil irrigation. Water lines were connected to water (municipal water) within the chamber and controlled with a daily digital timer. Watering rates varied throughout the experimental time period and were adjusted accordingly to keep the growing media moist (field capacity) but not saturated. Treatments that demanded more water were spot watered as needed. The amount of water used for irrigation was recorded.

[0058] Treatments were set up and Frontenac Noir vine root stocks were planted in mid-December (day 1). Room climate conditions contained a day and night cycle with an immediate transition threshold. For the first 38 days of the experiment, day (light) conditions were set to 16 hour lengths, 22.5 C., and 700 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 solar radiation. For the first 38 days of the experiment, night (dark) conditions were set to 8 hour lengths, 19.5 C., and 0 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 solar radiation. From day 39 to day 115 of the experiment, day (light) conditions were set to 16 hour lengths, 27 C., and 700 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 solar radiation. From day 39 to day 115 of the experiment, night (dark) conditions were set to 8 hour lengths, 22 C., and 0 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 solar radiation. Humidity was maintained around 60% R.H. On day 116, day (light) and night (dark) temperature conditions were decreased by 2 C. per day, five days a week until day temperatures reached 7 C. and night temperatures reached 2 C. on day 128. Day temperatures were lowered by 1 C. per day from day 131 to 134 so that day temperatures reached 3 C. and night temperatures stayed at 2 C., this temperature was maintained during the dormancy phase.

[0059] Treatments were initially fertilized immediately after planting with 6 L of dilute Dutch Nutrient Formula PNK fertilizer (211 mg N L.sup.1, 23 mg P L.sup.1, 66 mg K L.sup.1). 1 L of Hoagland solution (N 210 ppm, K 235 ppm, CA 200 ppm, P 31 ppm, S 64 ppm, Mg 48 ppm, B 0.5 ppm, Fe 2.5 ppm, Mn 0.5 ppm, Zn 0.05 ppm, Cu 0.02 ppm, Mo 0.01 ppm) was added to each treatment to avoid nutrient deficiencies. On day 68 and day 74, 250 ml of Hoagland solution was added to each experimental unit or planter box.

[0060] Plant growth observations were collected for each treatment once a week from day 39 to day 75. On each observation day, a photograph was taken, new growth was measured, number of leaves were counted for each plant and plant leaf colour and general health was noted for each plant. In some replications, one of the root stocks never sprouted and was replaced with new root stock on day 39. Only the larger of the two treatment vines was reported to avoid averaging small, late growing vines. Vines were pruned twice during the first growth cycle. Summer pruning was conducted on day 76. Winter pruning was conducted on day 168. Pruned vegetation was sorted by treatment, dried at 60 C. for 48 hours, weighed and recorded as pruning dry weight.

[0061] A few grape clusters appeared on some vines and were harvested when ripe. All grapes were counted and weighed. Brix was measured for each replication that grew fruit. In all but one treatment, yield was too small for additional analyses. Block III BC+VC treatment had high enough yield for additional analyses. Grapes were crushed by hand in a beaker and solids were separated from juice using 106 m steel mesh. Grape juice pH was measured using pH probe and TA was measured by NaOH titration.

[0062] After harvest, samples were collected from the growth media of each treatment. Soil probes were used to take 2 soil cores from opposite corners of each planter box (low sample volumes were taken to avoid damaging vine roots). Samples were sieved to <2 mm, moist samples were immediately analyzed for mineral N, the rest of the sample was air dried and stored in seal plastic bags until analyses. Growth media were analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC) and pH (1:4 soil to TRO water ratio) using a conductivity and pH probe, organic matter content using loss on ignition (LOI) method by heating a sample to 550 C. for 6 hours, mineral N by extracting media with 2M KCl (1:10 soil to solution ratio) followed by supernatant analysis via colourimietry using a Lachat FIA (Flow Injection Analyzer), Olsen P by extraction soil with 0.5M NaHCO.sub.3 adjusted to pH 8.5 (1:20 soil to solution ratio) followed by supernatant analysis via colourimetry using a Lachat FIA. Exchangeable cations by extraction with 1M NH.sub.4OAc adjusted to pH 7, (1:5 soil to solution ratio) followed by supernatant analysis on a flame atomic adsorption spectrometer.

Media Chemistry Data

[0063] Day 75 leaf count data and pruning weight data was log.sub.e transformed when it improved normality (EC, LOI, NO.sub.3, Na.sup.+, Ca.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+, leaf count) but is shown untransformed graphically for ease of interpretation. Data that was bimodal and poorly adhered to statistical assumption of normality (pH, Olsen P, extractable K and pruning dry weight) were rank transformed. Rank transformation decreased statistical power. Assumption of normality was relaxed form bimodal data. All alpha values were set at 0.01 to lower the chance of a Type I error. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA test and if significant (=0.01), data were analyzed with a Tukey test. Leaf counts data and length of new vine growth data over time heavily violated assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity for repeated measures ANOVA and was used descriptively.

Results

Vine Establishment and Growth

[0064] Leaf count in the BC+VC treatment were significantly higher than the Control and BC on the 75.sup.th day of growth (FIG. 2). Pruning weights in the BC+VC treatment were significantly higher than all other treatments on the 76.sup.th day of growth. BC and VC treatments were more common to sow signs of yellowing leaves whereas the Control and VC+BC treatments consistently had bright green leaves. Base vine area and winter pruning wet weight at day 168 were measured. A trend towards higher Base vine area and winter pruning wet weight at VC and BC+VC treatments was observed compared with Control and BC treatments. The measured available nutrients were higher in BC+VC treatments compared with Control and BC.

Growth Media Chemistry

[0065] Concentrations of available nutrients were measured in growing media's components (Biochar and vermicompost) before start of the experiment (Table 1). Growing media EC (salt concentration indicator) and pH (acidity indicator) and concentration of nutrients were measured in growing media after harvest (Table 2). These parameters were significantly higher for BC+VC compared with BC and Control treatments except for LOI (loss on ignition) that is representative of total carbon and was higher in BC than other treatments.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Amendments Chemical Properties LOI NO.sub.3 Olsen P K.sup.+ Na.sup.+ Ca.sup.2+ Mg.sup.2+ Amendment (%) (mg N kg.sup.1) (mg P kg.sup.1) (mg kg.sup.1) (mg kg.sup.1) (mg kg.sup.1) (mg kg.sup.1) Biochar 93.7 <DL 20.7 1583 174.3 3795 611.2 Vermicompost 62.7 488.0 575.0 6707 1591 4751 1628

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Selected growing media chemical properties (n = 4). Data in the brackets are Standard deviation (SD). EC Na.sup.+ Ca.sup.2+ Mg.sup.2+ (mS LOI (mg (mg (mg Treatment m.sup.1) pH (%) kg.sup.1) kg.sup.1) kg.sup.1) (Control) 66 5.79 66.5 234 16152 1181 (12) b (0.08) b (6.6) b (48.6) b (1549) (92.6) b BC 81 5.69 87.6 308 18210 1393 (34) b (0.18) b (2.0) a (33.9) b (246) (80.1) b VC 238 6.27 67.2 1014 15025 2451 (74) a (0.10) a (2.2) b (218.0) a (630) (159.5) a BC + VC 112 6.28 74.7 711 16985 2163 (40) ab (0.05) a (2.4) b (198.5) a (205) (221.2) a

Quality

[0066] Grape quality parameters were measured in few clusters produced. Brix was in optimum range and TA was high where data was available (Table 3). Berry weight, berry count and grape Brix were higher for the BC+VC treatment.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Grape data. Values are means of treatments when data was available Replications Grape which Berry Titratable Treat- Produced Weight Berry Grape Grape Acidity ment Grapes (g) Count Brix pH (g/L) Control 2 5 7 21 BC 0 VC 1 4 3 20 BC + 1 67 75 24 4 17 VC

[0067] Grapes were successfully grown under indoor controlled environment conditions and growing media consisting of organic amendment mixtures. Nutrients supplied by BC+VC treatments fully supported the vine growth during the period of the experiment. The amounts of supplemental fertility added to the treatments during the experiment were minimal. BC+VC treatment hold on to the nutrients more efficiently compared with VC. BC treatment performed better than control but resulted in lower growth than BC+VC and some minor deficiency symptoms in vines.

Example 2Assessment of Growing Media and Fertigation Regimes of Frontenac Noir, Merlot and Syrah Wine Grape Varieties

[0068] The study was set up as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four blocks of three wine grape varieties: Frontenac Noir, Merlot and Syrah; and four replications. Frontenac Noir vines were in the 2.sup.nd growth cycle and were grown in two different growing media: Control100% potting soil (Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix) and BV70% potting soil (Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix), 15% Biochar and 15% Vermicompost (worm casting). Merlot and Syrah vines were grown in BV growing media.

[0069] Biochar was sourced from Burt's Greenhouses, Odessa, Ontario for Frontenac Noir vines, and from Basque Charcoal, Rimouski, Quebec for Merlot and Syrah vines. Vermicompost (worm casting) was sourced from Greenscience Technoloiges Inc., Toronto, Ontario. Micro-environmental chambers at Trent University School of Environment with capability of controlled light, moisture (humidity) and temperature were used for the study. Eight experimental units were fit in each chamber. A block was defined as one column of treatments on one side of a chamber. Each treatment consisted of a planter wooden box with inner dimensions of 41 cm wide, 86.5 cm long, 24 cm high. Two 1 cm inner diameter drainage holes were installed at the base of the planter box with two plastic spouts attached to them which allowed drainage water to be collected. Drainage water was returned back to the treatment growth media as to not leach the media of nutrients. The bottom of each treatment box was filled with 5 cm of sand to facilitate drainage. Treatment boxes were filled to the top with their respective media (this left about 10 cm between the top of the media and the top of the planter box after the media had settled).

[0070] The planter boxes with Frontenac Noir vines carried on from previous phase of the experiment (Phase I). The Syrah and Merlot vines boxes (8) were carefully mixed and filled with 36 L potting soil+8 L Biochar+8 L Vermicompost+Mycorrhizal inoculant (55 mg/planter box as recommended on the package) (BV). Two vines were planted in each experimental unit (box). Treatments and labelling are depicted below in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Treatments and labelling system. Labelling System Chamber Box Growing # # Media Variety Trt# Rep# Labels 2 1 Control FN 1 1 CDC-FN-1-1-1 2 2 Control FN 1 2 CDC-FN-2-1-2 3 3 Control FN 1 3 CDC-FN-3-1-3 3 4 Control FN 1 4 CDC-FN-4-1-4 2 5 BV FN 2 1 CDC-FN-5-2-1 2 6 BV FN 2 2 CDC-FN-6-2-2 3 7 BV FN 2 3 CDC-FN-7-2-3 3 8 BV FN 2 4 CDC-FN-8-2-4 2 9 BV Syrah 3 1 CDC-S-9-3-1 2 10 BV Syrah 3 2 CDC-S-10-3-2 3 11 BV Syrah 3 3 CDC-S-11-3-3 3 12 BV Syrah 3 4 CDC-S-12-3-4 2 13 BV Merlot 4 1 CDC-M-13-4-1 2 14 BV Merlot 4 2 CDC-M-14-4-2 3 15 BV Merlot 4 3 CDC-M-15-4-3 3 16 BV Merlot 4 4 CDC-M-16-4-4 FN: Frontenac Noir BV: Biochar + Vermicompost + Mycorrhizae Rep = Replication; Trt = Treatment

Irrigation System

[0071] At the start of the experiment (September 2016), each treatment had two 80 cm lengths of soaker tube buried 5 cm deep at both side of two vines in each box, supplying subsoil irrigation. Water lines were connected to municipal water tap within the chamber and controlled with a daily digital timer. Watering rates varied throughout the experimental time period and were adjusted to keep soil moist (field capacity). Treatments that demanded more water were spot watered with a watering can in addition to irrigation. The amount of water used for irrigation was recorded. In average, freshly planted vines (2 vines/box) require 4 L of water every 3 days; the fully grown vines require at least 14 L of water every 3 days. Watering was done manually 9 L of water every 3 days to old grape vines, and 4 L of water every 3 days to new grape vines, until they reached day 39, and then they switched to 9 L/3 days schedule.

Micro-Environmental Chamber Conditions

[0072] Growth room climate conditions contained a day and night cycle with an immediate transition threshold (Table 4). Humidity in the chambers was not controlled but was generally remained around 50-60% and CO.sub.2 at 502 ppm. On day 120, day and night temperatures were decreased by 2 C. per day, five days a week until day temperatures reached 5 C. and night temperatures reached 3 C. This temperature was maintained for 900 hr (average chilling hours requires for the varieties).

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Growth chamber climate conditions during the experiment. Days after Temperature Solar Radiation transplant ( C.) (mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1) Day 1 to 38 Day Length 16 hours 22 C. 700 Night Length 8 hours 19 C. 0 Day 39 to 119 Day Length 16 hours 27 C. 700 Night Length 8 hours 22 C. 0 Day 120 to 122 Day Length 14 hours 23 C. 700 Night Length 10 hours 18 C. 0 Day 123 to 124 Day Length 14 hours 19 C. 700 Night Length 10 hours 14 C. 0 Day 125 to 128 Day Length 12 hours 15 C. 700 Night Length 12 hours 10 C. 0 Day 129 to 134 Day Length 12 hours 11 C. 700 Night Length 12 hours 6 C. 0 Day 135 to 147 Day Length 10 hours 9 C. 700 Night Length 14 hours 4 C. 0 Day 148 to 175 Day Length 8 hours 5 C. 700 Night Length 16 hours 3 C. 0

Nutrient Regime

[0073] Treatments were initially fertilized immediately after planting (late September 2016) with 15.825 mL of Dutch Nutrient Formula PNK fertilizer (Table 5.).

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5 DNF Solution with 15.825 mL diluted and 6 L applied to new vines. NUTRIENT mg/L Rate N 211 8.0% Ammonical Nitrogen 4.0% Nitrate Nitrogen 1.60% Water Soluble Nitrogen 2.0-4.0%.sup. P 23 2.00% K 66 Available Phosphate 2.00% Soluble Potash 3.00% Citric Acid* 18.80% *Used as a complexing agent

[0074] Hoagland solution (composition is presented at Table 6) was added to each experimental unit according to the schedule presented in Table 7. One litter of Hoagland was added to each experimental unit per application. The N concentration was adjusted as excess of N was noticed in Phase I of the experiment.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 6 Composition of Hoagland solution used for supplemental nutrition. RATE Stock mL Stock NUTRIENT SOURCE ppm Solution Solution/1 L N 1M NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 210* 80 g/L 1 K 2M KNO.sub.3 235 202 g/L 2.5 Ca 1M Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.24H.sub.2O 200 236 g/0.5 L 2.5 P 1M KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 (pH to 6.0) 31 136 g/L 0.5 Mg 0.5M MgSO.sub.47H.sub.2O 48 493 g/L 4 B H.sub.3BO.sub.3 0.5 2.86 g/L 1 Fe FeEDTA 1 to 5 15 g/L 1.5 Mn MnCl.sub.24H.sub.2O 0.5 1.81 g/L 1 Zn ZnSO.sub.47H.sub.2O 0.05 0.22 g/L 1 Cu CuSO.sub.45H.sub.2O 0.02 0.051 g/L 1 Mo Na.sub.2MoO.sub.42H.sub.2O 0.01 0.12 g/L 1 1M CaCl.sub.22H.sub.2O* 5.0 S 64 *In the first application, N adjusted to reduce ppm from 210 to 63 ppm. The 1M Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.24H.sub.2O was replaced with 1M of CaCl.sub.22H.sub.2O to keep the levels of Ca to 200 ppm

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 7 Application schedule of Hoagland solution. Full Strength Hoagland Solution Modified Hoagland (1 L/box/application) ( N concentration) Fe-EDTA and Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Varieties Day 1* CaCl.sub.22H.sub.2O** 18*** 28 42 68 71 83 109 Frontenac Noir Sept 18 Sept 22 Oct 6 Oct 16 Oct 31 Nov 29 Jan 6 (growth cycle 2) Syrah and Merlot Sept 18 Sept 22 Nov 26 Dec 11 Jan 6 (growth cycle 1) *Modified Hoagland Solution on Day 1: missing iron (Fe-EDTA) and 1M Ca (NO.sub.3).sub.24H.sub.2O. Nitrogen concentration reduced from 210 ppm to 64 ppm in this application to control the excess vigor. **Fe-EDTA and CaCl.sub.22H.sub.2O: missing components of Hoagland. 1M Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.24H.sub.2O substituted by CaCl.sub.2/2H.sub.2O to reduce excess N. ***Hoagland Solution on Day 14 and after: Full strength

Plant Growth Monitoring

[0075] Vine growth observations were collected by picture documentation only. All new vines planted on Sep. 2, 2016 survived and sprouted successfully (see Visual Observations section under RESULTS and DISCUSSIONS section).

Fresh Weight of Grapes Per Vine

[0076] Frontenac Noir Grapes were harvested on Dec. 5, 2016. Yield parameters including number of clusters per vine, berry count, total berry weight and hundred berry weight were measured. Yield quality parameters including Brix, and Yeast Assimilation Nitrogen (YAN) measurements were conducted by Cool Climate Oenology Institute (CCOVI) Laboratory at Brock University. The Titration Acidity (TA) was measured at Trent University. Grape juice was extracted by crushing the grapes and squeezing them through a cheese cloth. Juice pH was measured using a pH meter with glass electrode. Brix represents grams of sugar per 100 mL of juice. Brix was determined using an Abbe benchtop refractometer. Titrable acidity measure the total number of protons available in the grape juice was measured by titration with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to a pH end-point of 8.2. Yeast Assimilation Nitrogen is important for the fermentation process, if there is not a high enough quantity is needs to be supplemented at times. The YAN was determined using the grape juice and mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometry. Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen (YAN) was calculated from Ammonia and Primary Amino Acid concentrations Amino Acid Nitrogen was determined by enzyme kit K-PANOPA from Megazyme UK Ammonia Nitrogen was determined by enzyme kit K-AMIAR from Megazyme UK.

Growing Media, pH, Nitrate and Ammonium Concentration at Harvest

[0077] After harvest, composite samples (consist of 6 individual samples per box) were collected from the growing media for each planter box. Soil probes were used to take 6 soil cores from random areas of the planter box (low sample volumes were taken to avoid damaging vine roots). Samples were sieved to <2 mm, moist samples were immediately analyzed for mineral N, the rest of the sample was air dried and stored in seal plastic bags until analyses. Growth media were analyzed for pH (1:4 soil to RO water ratio) using a pH probe, and mineral N by extracting the samples with 2M KCl (1:10 soil to solution ratio) followed by supernatant analysis via colourimetry using an Auto-analyzer 3 (Segmented Flow Analyzer).

Statistical Analysis

[0078] Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA test and if significant (=0.05) means comparison were conducted with a LDS test.

Wine Grapes Yield

[0079] Grape yield only obtained and harvest from Frontenac Noir vines which were in their second life cycle. The vines were not in their full production capacity and the harvest was conducted mainly to evaluate the quality of grapes for wine making. Berry size was not affected by growing media treatment as measured by hundred berry weight (FIG. 6). Grape yields were significantly greater in BV than control (commercial potting soil) though higher number of clusters and greater number of berries on each cluster. Number of clusters, total berry weight and berry count increased by 1.6, 1.7, and 1.7 times in BV treatments compared with control (FIG. 6).

Wine Grapes Quality

[0080] Among yield quality parameters only pH and Brix affected by growing media treatment (FIGS. 7A and 7B). Grape juice pH was 22% higher in BV compared with control and Brix was 14% lower in BV than in control. The growing media composition did not affect TA and YAN.

[0081] For table wines, preferred pH levels are 3.1-3.4 for white wines, and 3.3-3.6 for red wines. Proffered Brix is usually above 25. Preferred TA levels are 7-9 g/L for white wines, and 6-8 g/L for red wines. Typical concentrations of free protons in a juice or wine range from 0.1 to 1 mg/L, whereas TA values might be 4 to 8 g/L.

[0082] The average YAN values for BV treatment was 136 mg/L and for control was 229 mg/L.

Growing Media, pH, Nitrate and Ammonium Concentration at Harvest

[0083] Growing media pH at harvest ranged between 7.16 and 7.32 and was not different among treatments. pH values were within the optimum range for grapes (FIG. 8A). Growing media ammonium and nitrate concentrations for Frontenac Noir vines were not affected by growing media composition, were low (<12 pm) and presented a NH.sub.4.sup.+:NO.sub.3.sup. ratio of 46/54% (FIG. 8B).

[0084] In contrast, ammonium and nitrate concentrations in Syrah and Merlot growing media at harvest were high (62-267 ppm) and presented an excess supply of N for the first growth cycle (FIG. 8B). Nitrate concentrations in Syrah were significantly lower than Merlot (98 vs. 267 ppm) whereas, ammonium concentrations were similar (62 ppm).

CONCLUSION

[0085] The biochar+vermicompost+mycorrhizae (BV) growing media supported Frontenac Noir vines at their second growth cycle, and Syrah and Merlot at their first growth cycle. Frontenac Noir produced berries under growth chamber conditions.

[0086] As many changes can be made to the preferred embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope thereof; it is intended that all matter contained herein be considered illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.