Ecological regionalization of wine grape varieties in Ningxia

Based on data of 24 weather stations in Ningxia from 1981 to 2010,combined with the wine grape sampling test results and other zoning indexes,starting from the concept of high-quality ecological zones of viticulture,the frost-free period,≥10 ℃ accumulated temperature,precipitation in harvest period,soil type and slope position were used in high-quality ecological regionalization of wine grape varieties in Ningxia by using optimization method and GIS technique. The distribution maps of high-quality ecological viticulture of main red varieties and white varieties were suggested for wine grape growers. All red varieties including extremely late ripening variety ‘Grenache',mid to late ripening variety ‘Cabernet Sauvignon',mid ripening variety ‘Merlot',and early ripening variety of‘Pinot Noir'are suitable for planting in Ningxia,and those varieties had great potential for exploitation. It should be focused on the development in high-quality ecological zone of wine grape in the Western Xia imperial tombs region in Yinchuan,Gezi Mountain in Qingtongxia,and the Baima and Shikong mountain areas in Zhongning.Regional planting areas for early and mid ripening varieties,such as ‘Pinot Noir',‘Chardonnay',‘Riesling',should be located in the central arid zone and Qingshui River basin.