GiESCO 2019 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 GiESCO 9 GiESCO 2019 9 Effect of kaolin foliar application on grape cultivar Assyrtiko (Vitis vinifera L.) under vineyard conditions

Effect of kaolin foliar application on grape cultivar Assyrtiko (Vitis vinifera L.) under vineyard conditions

Abstract

Context and purpose of the study – In the context of climate change and for the sustainable exploitation of Mediterranean vineyards, it is necessary to use new strategies to adapt to the new climatic conditions. High temperatures and radiation along with the increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere affect the maturity process, the technological maturity, as well as the physiology of the grapevine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of kaolin foliar application on water relations, photosynthesis and berry composition of grape cultivar Assyrtiko, under drought conditions in Santorini and with two different training systems. 

Material and methods – The experiment took place in the cultivation season 2017-2018 in Santorini. There were two vineyards, one with the traditional training system of Santorini ‘kouloures’, and one with a unilateral Guyot training system, on vines of grape cultivar Assyrtiko. In both vineyards, there were vines that underwent kaolin application and control vines.  

Results – The use of kaolin reduced the leaf temperature in both training systems by 6.2 % for the unilateral Guyot system and by 6.9% for the traditional system. Chlorophyll concentration was higher after kaolin application for both training systems. Regarding the water potential, the kaolin application reduced water stress in both training systems, with significant difference observed in the unilateral Guyot system. Vine transpiration did not present statistically significant difference after the kaolin application. The photosynthesis of the vines after kaolin application was lower in comparison with the control vines, while in the case of stomatal conductance, there were no statistically significant differences observed. Kaolin delayed the maturation of the grapes in the case of the traditional training system. Water use efficiency was lower in the treatments with kaolin application compared to control vines. Regarding the other mechanical properties of the grapes and analyses of the must, there were no significant differences observed between the treatments. Therefore, the application of kaolin can be an effective and economical solution for the water saving of the vines in dry conditions, while at the same time it can improve the physiology of the plant and preserve the qualitative and quantitative characters of the grapes

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: June 18, 2020

Issue: GiESCO 2019

Type: Poster

Authors

Eustratios Guillaume XYRAFIS1, Maritina STAVRAKAKI1, Ioannis DASKALAKIS1, Konstantinos TELLIS2, Despoina BOUZA1, Katerina BINIARI1*

(1) Laboratory of Viticulture, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855, Athens, Greece
(2) Domaine Sigalas, Baxes, Oia Santorini 84702, Santorini, Greece

Contact the author

Keywords

Kaolin, Santorini, Vitis vinifera L., water stress, water use efficiency

Tags

GiESCO | GiESCO 2019 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

To what extent does vine balance actually drive fruit composition?

Context and purpose of the study ‐ Vine balance is a concept describing the relationship between carbon assimilation (usually estimated using a measure of vine vigour, e.g. pruning weight) and its utilisation for fruit production (usually estimated using harvest yield). Manipulating vine balance through leaf area or crop load adjustments affects the proportion of the vine’s total carbohydrate production required to mature the fruit. It is commonly considered that composition of the berry, and resulting wine, is strongly affected by vine balance.
Read More

Diffuse light due to wildfire smoke enhances gas exchange of shaded leaves

The risk of wildfires is increasing as the frequency and severity of drought and heat waves continue to rise. Wildfires are associated with the combustion of plant materials and emit smoke. In the atmosphere, smoke may spread readily across large areas. Smoke is composed of solid and liquid phase particulates and gases and has been identified as a causal agent of “smoke taint” in wine. On a smoky day, the intensity of direct light decreases because these particulates scatter sunlight. Even though this effect is frequently assumed to decrease plant photosynthesis, this assumption ignores the potential changes in diffuse light and may be based on scant evidence.

Read More

Georgian vitis germplasm: conservation, research and usage

Grapevine Vitis vinifera L. is a leader perennial crops for the Republic of Georgia, the South Caucasus. This is a region where the first wine making practice was initiated 8.000 years ago (McGovern et al. 2017) and a spot of grape domestication. The country of Georgia holds 525 local and more than 60 breeding varieties – they are preserved in 9 field collections inside the country.The list of recommended wine cultivars contains 34 names, including 27 old autochthonous varieties and covering 94% of the country’s vineyards.

Read More

Advancement of grape maturity – comparison between contrasting varieties and regions

Grapevine phenology has advanced across many regions, nationally and internationally, in recent decades under the influence of increasing temperatures, resulting in earlier
vintages (Jones and Davis, 2000, Petrie and Sadras, 2008, Tomasi et al., 2011, Webb et al., 2011. Earlier vintages have several ramifications for the wine industry. There are direct implications on quality, due to the fruit ripening during the hotter conditions of summer and early autumn, which then impacts grape composition and wine style (Sadras et al., 2013, Buttrose et al., 1971, Mira de Ordũna, 2010). There are also indirect implications where the fruit is perceived to ripen at a faster rate and the crop reach optimum maturity over a shorter period (Coulter et al., 2016).

Read More

Consistency of the hydraulic traits and stomatal responses in grapevines with contrasting hydraulic vulnerability

Different from wild species in arid and semiarid conditions, cultivated species are very sensitive to drought and, beyond some stress thresholds, food production is not possible

Read More