Financial Analysis of Vineyards Under Conventional Treatment Strategy, Minimized Treatment Strategy and Decision Support Strategy to Control Powdery Mildew (Erisiphe necator)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the financial and environmental benefits associated with the use of Minimized Treatment Strategy (MTS) and Decision Support Strategy (DSS) against Conventional Treatment Strategy (CTS). The MTS and DSS were implemented on the Experimental Farm Station of the University of Talca, located in the Talca, Maule Region. The vine variety selected and used in this study was Cabernet Sauvignon during the growing periods of 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012- 2013. The MTS is based on the traditional schedule application however the final implementation strategy is determined by the viticulturist experience whereas DSS is based on vine phenology and in field observations. A General Linear Model (GLM) was used analyze the data from both treatment strategies in terms of yield per viticulture year. The financial information from the implementation and use of the two strategies was obtained from the study and compared against traditional vineyards of the same vine variety. Also the environmental impact was determined for the three strategies in terms of CO2 emissions. The results demonstrated that for both MTS and DSS in terms of viticulture season there were significant differences in yield between the treatments. On the same hand the cross effect analysis between year and treatment strategy (DSS and MTS) indicated no significant differences in yield. The financial and environmental analysis indicated that in the long term the DSS was the most economic and environmentally friendliest of the three strategies closely followed by MTS with CTS being the most expensive option. Keywords: Decision Support Strategy (DSS), Minimized Treatment Strategy (MTS), Conventional (Traditional) Treatment Strategy (CTS), financial benefits, environmental benefits.