Evaluation of altitude fine wines producing areas according to its aptitude or agricultural potential of the land

Abstract

The hypothesis of the present study is that different methodologies for evaluating soil agricultural aptitude may result in different diagnoses for the same area. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare agricultural aptitude through the methodologies of System of Agricultural Evaluation and Land Suitability (SAELS), System of Evaluation of Land Agricultural Capability (SELAC), Rating Fitness of Use of Lands of the State of Santa Catarina (RFULSSC) and Edaphic Criteria for Viticulture in “Vale dos Vinhedos” (ECVVV) in 38 soil profiles in fine wines producing areas in SC altitude regions. The study was developed in the Água Doce, Campos Novos and São Joaquim regions, which stand out as the main producers of altitude fine wines in the state of Santa Catarina. The results indicated that the areas where altitude wines are produced have low agricultural aptitude for annual crops. Among the limiting factors, soil fertility and steep slopes stand out. High altitude vineyards require specific aptitude methodology.