Modifications Induced by Rootstocks on Yield, Vigor and Nutritional Status on Vitis vinifera Cv Syrah under Hyper-Arid Conditions in Northern Chile

Abstract

Hyper-arid regions are characterized by extreme conditions for growing and lack of water (<100 mm annual rainfall average), where desertification renders human activities almost impossible. In addition to the use of irrigation, different viticultural strategies should be taken into account to face the adverse effects of these conditions in which rootstocks may play a crucial role. This research aim was to evaluate the effects of the rootstock on yield, vigor, and petiole nutrient content in Syrah grapevines growing under hyper-arid conditions during five seasons and compare them to ungrafted ones. St. George induced lower yield than 1103 Paulsen. Salt Creek induced higher plant growth vigor and Cu petiole content than ungrafted vines in Syrah, which was correlated to P petiole content. However, Salt Creek and St. George rootstocks induced an excess of vigor in Syrah according to Ravaz Index. Rootstocks with V. berlandieri genetic background should be used in Syrah growing under hyper-arid conditions to maintain adequate levels of plant vigor and to avoid deficiencies or toxicity of macro and micronutrients.

Effect of Shading Nets on Yield, Leaf Biomass and Petiole Nutrients of a Muscat of Alexandria Vineyard Growing under Hyper-Arid Conditions

“…The vines were own-rooted, planted during 1996 winter for Pisco elaboration at a planting distance of 2.0 m × 3.5 m, and trained on an overhead trellis system at a height of 2 m above the ground. The climate of the site is classified as hyper-arid since it rains lower than 100 mm per year [34][35][36]. Due to the low rainfall that was recorded during the season and the high vapor pressure deficit, it is necessary to apply water through irrigation.…”

“…Determination of vine vigor parameters was performed according to the methodology exposed by Verdugo-Vásquez et al [35]. Briefly, vines of each replicate were manually pruned in winter and the pruning weight (kg vine −1 ) was determined.…”

“…Determination of petiole nutrient content was also performed according to the exposed by Verdugo-Vásquez et al [35]. Petioles of leaves opposite to the bunches were collected at flowering of each study season.…”

“…N was analyzed according to The Kjeldahl method as was described by Nikolaou et al [44]. P content of the leaf petioles was performed by the Olsen colorimetric method as reported by Verdugo-Vásquez et al [35]. K was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry according to the method described by Garcia et al [45].…”

Spatial Variability of Production and Quality in Table Grapes ‘Flame Seedless’ Growing on a Flat Terrain and Slope Site

“…Soil is classified as alluvial clay and belongs to the Entisol order [22]. The climatic characteristics of the study site were described in the reports published by Verdugo-Vásquez et al [23,24]. Briefly, the zone under study is classified as hyper-arid (<100 mm annual rainfall average).…”