terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Characterization of four Chenin Blanc-rootstock combinations to assess grapevine adaptability to water constraint

Characterization of four Chenin Blanc-rootstock combinations to assess grapevine adaptability to water constraint

Abstract

Climate change impacts water availability for agriculture, notably in semi-arid regions like South Africa, necessitating research on cultivar and rootstock adaptability to water constraints. To evaluate the performance (vegetative and reproductive) of different Chenin Blanc-rootstock combinations to the two water regimes, a field experiment was established in a model vineyard at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Chenin Blanc vines grafted onto four different rootstocks (110Richter, 99Richter, 1103Paulsen and US 8-7) were planted in 2020. The vines are managed under two contrasting water conditions – dryland and irrigated (industry norm). Each combination had one row under irrigation and two rows under dryland conditions. Five panels were selected in each of the 12 rows for monitoring purposes with the center vine in each selected panel being the target vine.

Vegetative measurements (trunk circumference, lateral leaf area and pruning mass), physiological monitoring (stomatal conductance and midday stem water potential), phenological progression and reproductive measurements (average yield per vine, average bunches per vine and average bunch mass) were conducted for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Root studies were also done in the 2023-24 season. Initial data analysis revealed performance differences among rootstocks within the same irrigation regime (rootstock response) and between dryland and irrigated conditions (rootstock-irrigation response). Dryland vines showed faster post-véraison phenological progression. In terms of stem water potential, vines grafted to R110 and R99 responded similarly under irrigated conditions whilst 1103Paulsen and US 8-7 displayed similar trends under dryland conditions. Results reveal that some combinations may be adapted better to conditions of water constraint. This information is useful for planning strategies to mitigate challenging conditions in terms of the availability of water resources.

DOI:

Publication date: June 13, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Poster

Authors

Talitha Venter1*, Sihle Xogwa,1, Carlos Poblete-Echeverría1, Melané Vivier1

1 South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 7602

Contact the author*

Keywords

grapevine, rootstock, water stress, vine performance, vine response

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Impact of pruning method on vegetative growth and yield

Over the past fifteen years or so, a number of theories have emerged on more or less new pruning practices.

Color stabilization properties of oenological tannins

The use of oenological tannins is authorized for many years by the OIV and advised for color stabilization. For this reason, winemakers look for a better understanding of tannins/anthocyanins interactions to produce deeply colored wines with great color stability during aging.

Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on grapevine roots across an edaphoclimatic gradient

Challenges associated with climate change, such as soil erosion and drought, have impacted viticulture across wine regions globally in recent decades. As winegrowers struggle to maintain yield and quality standards under these conditions, methods to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change have become more prevalent. One potential mitigation strategy is to enhance symbiotic interaction of grapevine roots with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

Irrigation as a tool for heatwave mitigation: the effect of irrigation intensity and timing in Cabernet Sauvignon

Heatwave events, defined as 2 or more days reaching ≥ 38 °C, are an increasingly frequent phenomenon threatening grape production worldwide. Heat stress has been shown to have negative consequences on grapevine physiology, leading to increased evaporative demand and intensified water stress. Due to heatwaves overlapping with important stages of grapevine reproductive development, spanning from berry set to the ripening stage, severe heat can potentially compromise yield and grape quality. The physiological response of grapevine to heat stress suggests a potential use of irrigation to mitigate heatwaves, however there is limited information regarding the irrigation amounts and timings needed for this purpose. Following up on a pivotal trial conducted between 2019 and 2022, in this study irrigation treatments with varying intensity and timing of application were refined to determine their potential mitigation of heat-associated damage to yield and fruit composition.

Enological technics to enhance the aromatic qualities of white spirits 

Eugenol has been identified as a quality marker in armagnac white spirits. In particular, those produced from the Baco blanc variety, the only hybrid variety authorised in a French PDO, bred since 1898 from noah (vitis labrusca x v.riparia) and folle blanche (v. Vinifera). The varietal compound of Baco blanc, eugenol has many original properties.