Water and physiological effects of deficit irrigation, based on the ETo, in a Tempranillo vineyard cultivated with alternate vegetation cover in the Duero valley

Abstract

Vineyard management in a context of climate warming and environmental sustainability requires an assessment of the use of water resources, as grapevine needs clearly depend on rainfall patterns, particularly in spring. The use of ground cover during spring impacts subsequent water availability, which can affect the water status and physiological activity of the plant. For this reason, it is advisable to study the effects of summer deficit irrigation on the water status and physiology of the vineyard.

In the campaign 2024, the effects of weekly deficit irrigation (30% ETo) from pea size to harvest (99 mm) on soil moisture, plant water status, and vineyard physiological activity were studied. The Tempranillo vineyard, grafted onto Fercal, with plant distances of 2.5 x 1.2 m, trained on vertical trellis, and pruned using Guyot Poussard, was cultivated using ground cover in alternate rows until the end of June. Four random blocks were established, with elementary plots of 40 vines (in 4 rows of 10 vines each).

Deficit irrigation produced a 6% (vol.) increase in soil moisture compared to non irrigated treatment, which clearly benefited the vine water status, particularly the increase in early leaf water potential of 0.42 MPa. Consequently, the plant physiological activity was greatly enhanced, with a 61% increase in net photosynthesis and, consequently, carbon dioxide fixation and vineyard productivity. Continued work is required in the coming years due to the climatic influence on annual performance of the vineyard.

References

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Acknowledgments

To GO PRERIVID (MAPA) project, Quinta Sardonia winery and colaborators of ITACYL through research projects Life-AI’s-See&Save and PID2023-146911OR-C52 (AEI/MICIU).