Modello preliminare di simulazione per la quantificazione della radiazione intercettata dal vigneto

The visible solar radiation is vital for plant growth, promoting photosynthesis and complex elements production. there is an optimum light exposure for each vegetal species, but none can survive in total darkness. In natural environment several factors can influence the amount of radiation at soil soil level and on leaf surfaces. For each individual plant, light exposure is determined not only by generic conditions such as latitude, but even more relevant is the amount of shade projected by near plants and hills. Plantation position and plants patterns fro grapevine cultivation can be decided according to shade distribution during the year and during the day. According to shade distribution, it is possible to decide various combinations in row orientation, plant height, distances between rows, foliage thickness and terrace or slope structure for the plantation. This study proposes a simulation model for intercepted radiation during the year and within each single day, according to solar radiation, plantation exposure and sources of shade, such as rows and terrain surface. The model is concerned mainly with grapevine cultivation, but can be applied to a large variety of other crops.