Upper opening of canopy on vertical trellis: soil moisture and stem water potential in cv. Tempranillo in the D.O. Ribera del Duero

Abstract

Water relations in vineyards are affected by microclimatic conditions, which impact the plant water status and the vine physiological response. Given the current climate variability, the potential value of applying techniques that can reduce adverse water and thermal effects on the vineyard is emerging. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects that leaf surface management can have on soil water availability and the vineyard water response.

The influence of opening of the upper part of the vertical trellis canopy on soil moisture content (60 cm) and stem water potential was studied during the 2021-2023 period. The work was carried out in a Tempranillo vineyard grafted onto 110R rootstock in the D.O. Ribera del Duero (Valladolid, Spain), trained on vertical trellis, using bilateral Royat cordon pruning. Traditional vertical canopy and Alternative opening canopy were the treatments applied, establishing 4 random blocks with elementary plots of 48 vines, distributed in 4 rows of 12 vines each.

The upper opening of the canopy on trellis system showed a slight tendency to decrease in soil moisture content and stem water potential, both in measurements taken before and after weekly irrigation. This effect appears to have been related to greater leaf exposure throughout the day, which may have led to greater water demand. The temperature of the basal zone of the leaf surface was also slightly reduced. However, it would be advisable to expand the experiment by varying the opening width of the canopy in different vineyard conditions related to soil and climate.

References

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Acknowledgments

To project PID2019-105039RR-C42 (AEI/MICINN), De los Ríos Prieto winery and colaborators of ITACYL through projects GO PRERIVID (MAPA) and PID2023-146911OR-C52 (AEI/MICIU).