Sustainable Production
Dr Julian Theobald
Senior Scientist
Kia ora, I joined Plant & Food Research (Marlborough) in late 2019 as a Viticultural Scientist. With a PhD in Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, my initial research has focussed on grapevine yield variability and prediction, and exploring options to increase yield in Pinot noir without compromising grape/wine quality. I currently lead a project researching direct impacts of climate change (warmer growing seasons) on vine development, grape and wine quality in Sauvignon blanc. I am also in a Project Team developing a new Experimental Future Vineyard facility that will take a whole system ‘above and below-ground’ approach to understanding grapevine interactions with soils, atmosphere, and environment, focussing on carbon sequestration, partitioning, water- and nutrient-use, and incorporating latest research tools and agritechnologies. Past research has focussed on climate change impacts (elevated CO2) on photosynthesis and nitrogen-use-efficiency in wheat (Rothamsted, UK), root-to-shoot chemical signalling in response to soil drying/drought (Lancaster, UK), and New Zealand wine industry and related technical roles exploring viticultural and winemaking management impacts on aroma and flavour chemistry in Sauvignon blanc (Pernod Ricard Winemakers), and efficacies of pipeline agrichemicals (hard and soft-biologicals) for grape and apple crop protection (PGG Wrightson).