The results of this study provide overall information on the verification of the effect of applying two different mulching materials of an organic origin to the soil surface in the area between rows of grape vines in vineyards on selected physical and chemical properties of the soil and, at the same time, on the yield and quality parameters of the grape vines (Vitis vinifera L.). During the period under study, 2018–2020, the effect of shredded cereal straw (CS) and compost from garden waste (CO) was investigated. The control variant (CWC) was left without any cover and was regularly cultivated with a coulter cultivator to a depth of 60 mm. During the experiments, meteorological data were monitored and recorded along with soil temperature and soil moisture for each variant. The results show that the lowest temperature was measured for the straw cover variant (11.10–11.87 °C), while the highest soil temperature was measured for compost (11.93–13.16 °C). Under the straw, the moisture level in the soil was higher compared to the other variants, and there was a gradual increase (of 3%) in soil bulk density values compared to the baseline. By contrast, the compost variant showed a decrease (of 1%) in bulk density values. The differences in nutrient content were slight among the variants. The only statistically significant difference was identified for the compost variant with respect to the content of total nitrogen and phosphorus. Further results demonstrated a positive effect of both mulch material variants on grape yield, which was 6–19% higher in the variants with a cover layer. In addition, the use of mulch also had a positive effect on grape quality. For example, the sugar content—one of the main quality parameters—increased by 1–7% due to the mulch layer. Based on these results, the use of mulching materials can be recommended for areas with low total rainfall during the growing season, as well as when growing varieties with irregular yields and uneven grape quality.

The FTIR-ATR method coupled with the multivariate analysis of specific spectral areas of samples was developed to characterize two white grape varieties (Sauvignon Blanc and Hibernal) and two blue grape varieties (André and Cabernet Moravia) of wine planted and harvested in the Moravia region, Czech Republic. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were performed using fingerprint regions of FTIR spectra for all wines. The results obtained by principal component analysis in combination with linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) scores yielded clear separation between the four classes of samples and showed very good discrimination between the wine samples, with a 91.7% overall classification rate for the samples. The conducted FTIR spectroscopy studies coupled with chemometrics allowed for the swift analysis of multiple wine components with minimal sample preparation. These methods can be used in research to improve specific properties of these wines, which will undoubtedly enhance the quality of the final wine samples obtained.

Due to the low number of employees and the time limit in the field of grape harvesting, we focused in the presented article on evaluating the effectiveness of the deployment of an outboard grape harvester within the conditions of Slovak viticulture. The vineyards are in the Nitra wine-growing region on the southwestern slopes behind the Pivnica Radošina company, Piešťany district, in a total area of 33 ha. The object of the research was a PELLENC 8090 Selective Process trailed grape harvester aggregated with a SAME Frutteto3 100 tractor. The mechanized harvesting was tested in the vineyards of Pivnica Radošina s. r. on three selected varieties (Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Tramin Red) for two years. Entry conditions, technical parameters of the equipment, and weather conditions were monitored for all varieties. Data were analyzed with STATISTICA statistical software. As part of the research, post-harvest losses due to mechanized harvesting were monitored. The average losses for all examined varieties reached the value of 2.17% in 2018, and the value of 2.25% in 2017. A significant output was the efficiency of the deployment of the set for mechanized grape harvesting, where in 2018 a minimum value of 146.3 ha was set (the average cost of grapes was 500 Euro·t⁻¹). A significant part of the cost was fixed items, as a two-year tractor and a trailed collector (for 2017) were used for mechanized harvesting. The difference compared to previous research was the deployment of a completely new set during a two-year period on varieties that have not yet been evaluated. The economic efficiency over two years was elaborated in detail, which highlighted the benefits of multi-annual use. In terms of examining losses, differences were shown not only between varieties, but also between years, and these data were statistically verified. The paper evaluates the dependence of the use of mechanized harvesting on changes in the purchase price of grapes (increasing it also exponentially increases the required area) and on changing the hourly wage of an employee (increasing it degressively reduces the required area). From the results it can be said that statistically and economically significant outputs were achieved for the deployment of machine collection.

The paper deals with the problems of composting of grape pomace in strip compost piles. The three variants of compost piles formed from grape pomace and vegetables waste, wood chips and mature in varying proportions were tested. Turning of piles was performed using windrow turner PKS 2.8, in which the achieved performance was monitored. On the performance of windrow turner has a significant influence also cross section or width and height of turning piles and the bulk density of ingredients including their moisture. In evaluating, attention has been paid to assessment of selected parameters (temperature, moisture content) of the composting process. From the viewpoint of temperature course, the highest temperature reached at the piles in Var. I (64.1 °C) and Var. II (55.3 °C). Moisture of compost piles in the individual variants did not differ significantly and ranged between 25–35%.

This article deals with energetic evaluation and potential of pomace – a waste product originating during production of grape wine. Calorimetric analysis of 19 grapevine varieties was performed in 2013 and 2014. The aim was to specify their combustible limit and the gross calorific value. The evaluations were performed on pristine pomace, pomace without seeds, and only on seeds themselves. The results obtained imply that pomace is an interesting energetic resource with a gross calorific value of 16.07-18.97 MJ kg⁻¹. Lower calorific values were detected in pomace after seed separationie14.60-17.75 MJ kg⁻¹; on the contrary, seeds alone had the highest calorific values of 19.78-21.13 MJ kg⁻¹. It can be assumed from the results of energetic evaluation of pomace in Czech Republic conditions that, by purposeful and efficient usage of pomace, 6.4 GWh of electric energy and 28 GWh of thermal energy can be generated.