Terroir 2004 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Partial rootzone drying (PRD): strategic irrigation management as viticultural tool affecting plant physiology and berry quality

Partial rootzone drying (PRD): strategic irrigation management as viticultural tool affecting plant physiology and berry quality

Abstract

Partial rootzone drying (PRD) is an irrigation management technique designed to reduce water use in grapevines without a decline in yield, thereby increasing water use efficiency (WUE). The principle of PRD is to keep part of the root system at a constant drying rate to produce soil derived signals to above-ground plant organs to induce a physiological response resulting in viticultural effects. Major PRD effects include a reduced canopy size and greatly increased WUE with possible improvements in fruit quality. Experiments conducted under Australian conditions consisted of field-grown grapevines irrigated at variable rates to elucidate a true PRD effect. The effects of PRD on the assimilation and partitioning of C and N in grapevines are reported and the sustainability and economic potential of the PRD system are discussed. Major findings include the effects of PRD on grapevine physiology on the biochemical level where the source:sink relationship between plant organs influences dry matter accumulation and nitrogen assimilation that will influence fertilization needs. Finally, the effects of PRD on berry growth and quality are discussed, especially the accumulation of hexose, amino acids and inorganic ions such as K+, that may have an influence on wine quality.

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2004

Type: Article

Authors

Gerhard du Toit

Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Institute for Wine Biotechnology, Stellenbosch University, Victoria Street, ZA 7600 Stellenbosch, South Africa

Contact the author

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2004

Citation

Related articles…

The Cognac industry: history, successes and challenges

With alcohol consumption steadily declining, the growing popularity of dry january, a fiercely competitive environment, high dry matter inflation, economic upheavals, commercial uncertainties… The wine industry must adapt and offer products that meet consumer expectations, without denying their historical singularities.

METABOLIC INTERACTIONS OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE COCULTURES: A WAY TO EXTEND THE AROMA DIVERSITY OF CHARDONNAY WINE

Yeast co-inoculations in winemaking have been investigated in various applications, but most often in the context of modulating the aromatic profiles of wines. Our study aimed to characterize S. cerevisiae interactions and their impact on wine by taking an integrative approach. Three cocultures and corresponding pure cultures of S. cerevisiae were characterized according to their fermentative capacities, the chemical composition and aromatic profile of the associated Chardonnay wines. The various strains studied within the cocultures showed different behaviors regarding their development.

Red wine astringency: evolution of tribological parameters during different harvest dates

Astringency is a specific oral sensation dominated by dryness and puckering feeling and is one of the leading quality factors for red wines, as well as some fruit products

Investigating perceptual interactions of fruity aromas in Bordeaux red wines through addition and reconstitution sensory studies

Fruity aromas, characterized by red and black fruit descriptors, are central to the identity of Bordeaux red wines [1,2]. Despite extensive research focused on identifying and quantifying volatile compounds that contribute to fruity aromas in wine, the mechanisms underlying their interactions and sensory perception remain poorly understood [3].

Diversificazione e valorizzazione di produzioni tipiche sul territorio: I cesanesi

The zone in which the Cesanese vines are cultivated has a secular tradition of red wine­making. This zone is placed between the Simbruini mountains slopes and the surrounding hills and has pedologicai variability but a very homogeneous microclimate.