Articles
Sustainable irrigation strategy on organic Red Globe table grape in Apulia region
Article number
1335_70
Pages
557 – 564
Language
English
Abstract
Table grape vines (Vitis vinifera L.) are generally grown under irrigation in arid climate regions, characterized by low rainfall and high environmental evaporative demand, such as occurs in Southern Italy.
However, in recent years the need to reduce water consumption in irrigated vineyards has risen considerably because of increased water costs and restrictions on allocated amounts of irrigation water.
Research was carried out during the 2015-16 seasons in an experimental vineyard located in Apulia region, where the climate is sub-arid Mediterranean. Red Globe vines grafted onto 140 Ruggeri rootstock were trained to tendone overhead trellis and covered with plastic film.
Two watering regimes, corresponding respectively to 100% (V1) and 80% (V2) of daily crop evapotranspiration were compared.
In order to quantify vine water status, midday stem water potential was measured from berry set to harvest.
Moreover, parameters of physiological leaf functioning were measured on a typical summer day on well-exposed main leaves.
At harvest, bunch and berry weight, berries per cluster and berry diameters. were assessed.
On aliquots of berry juice, total soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity, were determined.
During berry growth midday stem water potential values were statistically different and the lowest vine water stress was shown by V1 treatment.
Leaf gas exchange differed significantly only for leaf transpiration and leaf temperature; no difference was noted for water use efficiency.
Water availability significantly affected berry growth, inducing the lowest berry weight in mild water stressed vines (V2 treatment). As a consequence of the mild water stress applied, fruit yield was significantly affected by the different water regimes.
Finally, results in this trial show that a mild water stress affect cluster and berry weight, increase total soluble solid concentration and skin berry color of organic Red Globe vines, with a positive reduction of irrigation costs.
However, in recent years the need to reduce water consumption in irrigated vineyards has risen considerably because of increased water costs and restrictions on allocated amounts of irrigation water.
Research was carried out during the 2015-16 seasons in an experimental vineyard located in Apulia region, where the climate is sub-arid Mediterranean. Red Globe vines grafted onto 140 Ruggeri rootstock were trained to tendone overhead trellis and covered with plastic film.
Two watering regimes, corresponding respectively to 100% (V1) and 80% (V2) of daily crop evapotranspiration were compared.
In order to quantify vine water status, midday stem water potential was measured from berry set to harvest.
Moreover, parameters of physiological leaf functioning were measured on a typical summer day on well-exposed main leaves.
At harvest, bunch and berry weight, berries per cluster and berry diameters. were assessed.
On aliquots of berry juice, total soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity, were determined.
During berry growth midday stem water potential values were statistically different and the lowest vine water stress was shown by V1 treatment.
Leaf gas exchange differed significantly only for leaf transpiration and leaf temperature; no difference was noted for water use efficiency.
Water availability significantly affected berry growth, inducing the lowest berry weight in mild water stressed vines (V2 treatment). As a consequence of the mild water stress applied, fruit yield was significantly affected by the different water regimes.
Finally, results in this trial show that a mild water stress affect cluster and berry weight, increase total soluble solid concentration and skin berry color of organic Red Globe vines, with a positive reduction of irrigation costs.
Authors
L. Tarricone, S.H.B. Al-Fadheel, D. Di Gennaro, G. Gentilesco, A.M. Amendolagine, V. Verrastro
Keywords
deficit irrigation, leaf gas exchange, stem water potential, berry weight, skin color
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