Prospects of viticulture development in the North-Eastern forest-steppe region of Ukraine

Abstract

The article analyses the constructive and geographical approach to solve the problem of distribution and commercial cultivation of grapes in the North-Eastern forest-steppe region of Ukraine. This approach forms an important basis of the theory and practice of cultivation areas proliferation of atypical for the steppe zone finicky heat-loving crops, in particular grapes. The special features of natural conditions of the region have been highlighted. Based on years of meteorological and phenological observations there has been proved the possibility to practically develop viticulture in these conditions. It has been found that agrometeorological conditions directly affect the growing season and grapes’ quality. For the first time it has been shown the influence of weather types and climate characteristics of the weather of the forest-steppe region on the individual phases of grapes development. During the study, there have been maintained connections with the professional growers in the East of Ukraine (Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy region) that have lasted for more than 10 years. The importance of long-term observations of the influence of agrometeorological conditions of the region allows to obtain data used to improve vegetation and quality parameters of grapes. The author has applied new approaches to the phases of grapes development and the distribution of temperature conditions for each phase particularly. The active temperatures sums for each phase of grapes development has been studied as well as the regulation of heat by phases. The algorithm to determine grapes yield in the North-Eastern forest-steppe region of Ukraine has been suggested. There have been developed predictive variations recommendations for the successful development of viticulture.