Physiological and agronomical responses of Syrah grapevine under protected cultivation

Abstract

The performance of Syrah grapevine under protected cultivation with different plastic films was evaluated during 2012 and 2013 seasons in South of Minas Gerais State. Agronomical and physiological measurements were done on eight years old grapevines, grafted onto '1103 Paulsen' rootstock cultivated under uncovered conditions, covered with transparent and with diffuse plastic films. Both plastic covers induced the highest shoot growth rate and specific leaf area. The diffuse plastic induced greater differences on leaf area, pruning weight and leaf chlorophyll content as compared to uncovered vines. Grapevines under diffuse plastic also had the lowest rates of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration. Leaf starch, glucose and fructose contents were not affected by treatment, but leaf sucrose was reduced by transparent plastic. The leaf and stem water potential were higher under diffuse plastic. In 2013, grapevines under diffuse plastic showed the highest yields mainly due to decreased rot incidence and increased cluster weight. Furthermore, berries under diffuse plastic showed the highest anthocyanins concentration. The use of diffuse plastic induces more agronomical benefits to produce Syrah grape under protected cultivation.

Effects of Climate Change on Viticulture (<em>Vitis</em> spp.)

“…Also, berries under common plastic showed the highest concentration of anthocyanins. These results show that greenhouse cultivation gives very advantageous results, especially under increasing temperatures and limited irrigation opportunities [88,89].…”

“…Moisture-related rain increases the incidence of vine botrytis as well as other fungal diseases. In addition, the increased soil moisture resulting from high rainfall destabilizes vegetative and reproductive development, raises the pH and acid content of the juice, and excessive shoot growth shade the grains, reducing the anthocyanin content and thus the coloration [88,89].…”