Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Author(s) : Anifa Abdallah Mtanda

ABSTRACT.

Grape (Vitis Vinifera) is among the horticultural crops which are consumed as fresh or processed products due to its nutritious importance. High yield and quality grape production are the major focus of grape producers and stakeholders in the value chain. However, nutrient availability is a challenge to reach the targets which cause deficiency of some essential elements for plant uptake. Fertilizer application, either organic or inorganic supports grapevine development accounting for the final yield and quality grape. Organic fertilizer for instance, farmyard, compost and/or vermicompost manure in grapes improves physical and biological properties of the soil by decomposition which makes major nutrients readily available for plant absorption. Supplementation of inorganic fertilizer in grapevines increases macronutrients and micronutrients which enhance plant growth and reduce nutrient deficiencies. Moreover, it provides essential elements required for wine making to produce quality wine. Nevertheless, the application of either organic fertilizer or in organic fertilizer alone has either positive or negative effects in grape production. Therefore, this review discusses the role of organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, essential nutrient elements and the importance of integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizer as the effective approaches for the production of grape and quality wine.