Soil Water Content Directly Affects Bud Burst Rate in Single-Node Cuttings of Perennial Plants

Abstract

The use of single-node cuttings of shoots as explants to study bud dormancy and its physiology under controlled conditions is a common practice in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) or other perennial plant research. In particular, this method has been extensively used to understand the effect of different chemicals on bud dormancy and bud burst. However, the soil water content in those experiments is usually not reported and its relevance is often neglected. Here, we observed that an unevenly distributed soil water content in a tray containing multiple explants results in an uneven pattern of bud burst within the same treatment. Thus, we hypothesised that soil water content can dramatically affect bud burst. To investigate this, we first established that fresh single-node cuttings were able to transport water into the buds. We then tested the rate of bud burst at different water treatments (35%, 55%, 70%, 85%, and 100% of field capacity; FC). We observed a clear dependence of bud burst on water, in which, at very low levels of water, bud burst does not occur; after 35% FC, bud burst rate increases with water content until around 85% FC; and, from 85% FC, bud burst rate becomes independent of water content. These data highlight the critical importance of monitoring soil water content in any bud burst assay in perennials. Finally, we provide a detailed protocol for determining and controlling field capacity and other soil water content indicators.

Plant Responses to Stress and Environmental Stimulus

“…However, in a different context, a similar message is obtained from the work reported by Signorelli et al [10], who evaluated the effect of soil water content on bud burst rate using grapevine single node cuttings. The authors showed that soil water content (% of field capacity) significantly affects bud burst rate, concluding that soil water content has to be controlled to assess bud burst in perennial plants.…”

Proline Enhances Resistance and Recovery of Oilseed Rape after a Simulated Prolonged Drought

“…Drought is one of the many factors with a negative effect on the morphology, physiology, and development of plants of the economically important oilseed rape [ 27 , 28 ]. Previous studies have shown that water deficit induces metabolic changes in plants that lead to the accumulation of specific metabolites such as proline [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Moreover, data from the literature indicate that exogenous application of osmoprotectants has shown positive effects on plants growing under drought stress, promoting growth and antioxidant activity [ 17 , 32 ].…”