Abstract
A new procedure is proposed for estimating actual basal crop coefficients from vegetation indices (K-cb VI) considering a density coefficient (K-d) and a crop coefficient for bare soil. K-d is computed using the fraction of ground cover by vegetation (f(c VI)), which is also estimated from vegetation indices derived from remote sensing. A combined approach for estimating actual crop coefficients from vegetation indices (K-c VI) is also proposed by integrating the K-cb VI with the soil evaporation coefficient (K-e) derived from the soil water balance model SIMDualKc. Results for maize, barley and an olive orchard have shown that the approaches for estimating both f(c VI) and K-cb VI compared well with results obtained using the SIMDualKc model after calibration with ground observation data. For the crops studied, the correlation coefficients relative to comparing the actual K-cb VI and K-c VI with actual K-cb and K-c obtained with SIMDualKc were larger than 0.73 and 0.71, respectively. The corresponding regression coefficients were close to 1.0. The methodology herein presented and discussed allowed for obtaining information for the whole crop season, including periods when vegetation cover is incomplete, as the initial and development stages. Results show that the proposed methods are adequate for supporting irrigation management.

Abstract
Aims: The main goal of this work was to describe the genetic diversity and population structure of Portuguese isolates from Erysiphe necator using a new approach for the sampling of DNA from this pathogen. Methods and results: The present study was conducted in the main demarcated wine regions of Portugal, where leaf and berry samples were collected for further genetic analysis. After DNA extraction, the Internal Transcribed Spacer from the 18S ribosomal RNA (ITS), the Intergenic Spacer (IGS), and the beta-tubulin gene were successfully amplified and sequenced. The populations of E. necator are structured into two genetically distinct groups (A and B), with the majority of the analyzed samples belonging to group B. Conclusion: Regardless of its geographical origin and the Vitis vinifera cultivar, the population of E. necator presents low genetic diversity. Significance and impact of the study: The present work will certainly help to increase the vineyard productivity through a better definition of preventive measures and a potential decrease in the direct and indirect costs associated with the use of fungicides.

Abstract
Airborne pollen emission model was used to determine pollen metrics and to examine their relationship with vineyard phenology in two wine regions of Northern Portugal: Vinhos Verdes (1993-2007) and Douro (1992-2011). A number of airborne pollen metrics were obtained through the rate of changes of logistic model adjusted to the time series of airborne pollen. In both regions, the mean absolute differences between observed phenology and model-predicted values for start, peak and final of flowering phenophases were always lower than 5 days and the slope of the regression through the origin is close to one. These metrics can be used to accurately and precisely predict the dynamic of Vitis flowering observed at field level. The model's simplicity and flexibility are of great advantage for its practical use in aerobiology.

Abstract
In this paper, we analyse the impact of spring temperature (ST) and soil water (SW) on wine production volume (WPV) for the period 1933 to 2013 in the Douro region. We employ a state-space regression model to capture possible structural changes in wine production caused by a change in ST and/or SW. We find that the ST explains about 65 % of the variability of WPV. In contrast, the summer SW level increases the R (adj)-square to 83 % and the Akaike criterion value was lower. We also find interesting dynamic properties of SW and ST. The immediate impact of an increase in SW is negative for WPV, while the SW that is in the ground, i.e. from the previous 2 and 3 years, have a positive effect on actual WPV. Moreover, the individual changes of ST and SW have similar dynamic impact on WPV. Our main finding is that climate change does not only change the variables in question but also the winegrape vineyards adding to the negative impact on WPV levels. As a result we observe a shift of the relative importance away from ST to SW.

Abstract
A wine forecast model for one of the most arid wine regions of the Europe-Alentejo was improved and tested for the period 1998-2014. During this period, Alentejo region had strong upward trends in wine production associated to the increase of vineyard area. The forecast model was supported on a hierarchical analysis, including the determination of the potential production at flowering by quantifying airborne pollen concentration, followed by a climate based evaluation of the possible impact of fruit-set conditions in the limitation of production. Through the monitoring of airborne pollen flows it is possible to define an accurate main pollen season and determine the regional pollen index that will be used as independent variable in the regional forecast model. The time trend, which was initially removed from data, was then added back to obtain the forecast. Stepwise regression and cross-validation were employed during the period 1998-2014 for calibration of the model used for predicting annual wine production. The developed model explained about 86% of wine variance over the years with absolute average error of 6% for the cross validation and 87% of cases had differences between actual and forecasted wine production below 10%. The reliability and early-indication ability of the proposed forecast model justify their use to respond to a number of government agencies and wine industry concerns and activities.

Abstract
In northern Spain, the use of biomass to produce bioenergy has led to increased exploitation of both natural pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) stands and fast-growing plantations of natural or exotic species. In this study, we developed a model for estimating aboveground biomass, carbon and nutrient contents in different pedunculate oak components at individual-tree and at stand level. Six harvesting methods were simulated in an average stand, ranging from whole-tree to stem wood extraction (stem without bark) and including the conventional harvesting method used in the region (extraction of stem plus branches of diameter >7 cm). The biomass and macronutrients extracted were compared with those removed during harvesting of fast-growing tree species (Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Pinus radiata D. Don and Pinus pinaster Ait.) on the same temporal basis (mean annual values). Harvesting pedunculate oak stands generally extracted lower amounts of nutrients than harvesting fast-growing species, although the differences depended on the species, macronutrients and harvesting regime considered.