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Plant function and evolutionary biology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Morpho-structural and physiological response of container-grown Sangiovese and Montepulciano cvv. (Vitis vinifera) to re-watering after a pre-veraison limiting water deficit

Alberto Palliotti A D , Sergio Tombesi A , Tommaso Frioni A , Franco Famiani A , Oriana Silvestroni B , Maurizio Zamboni C and Stefano Poni C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06128 Perugia, Italy.

B Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via delle Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.

C Istituto di Frutti-Viticoltura, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italy.

D Corresponding author. Email: alberto.palliotti@unipg.it

Functional Plant Biology 41(6) 634-647 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP13271
Submitted: 10 September 2013  Accepted: 21 December 2013   Published: 24 January 2014

Abstract

A better physiological and productive performance of cv. Montepulciano versus cv. Sangiovese under well-watered conditions has been recently assessed. The objective of this study was to verify that this behaviour is maintained when a pre-veraison deficit irrigation (vines held at 40% pot capacity from fruit-set to veraison) followed by re-watering (pot capacity reported at 90%). Single leaf assimilation rate and stomatal conductance, diurnal and seasonal whole-canopy net CO2 exchange (NCER) and water use efficiency were always higher in Sangiovese under deficit irrigation. Due to water shortage Montepulciano displayed a more compact growing habit due to decreased shoot and internode length. Sangiovese showed excellent recovery upon re-watering as NCER resulted to be higher than the pre-stress period; however, this might also relate to early and severe basal leaf yellowing and shedding. Early deficit irrigation affected xylem characteristics of Montepulciano more than in Sangiovese; vessel density increased (37 vs 29%, respectively, compared with well-watered vines) and the hydraulic conductance decreased more (–13 vs –3% respectively) compared with well-watered vines. Yield components and technological maturity were similar in the two cultivars, whereas Montepulciano grapes had lower anthocyanins and phenolics. Higher physiological and productive efficiency under non-limiting water conditions showed by Montepulciano compared with Sangiovese was basically reversed when both cultivars were subjected to an early deficit irrigation.

Additional keywords: chlorophyll, photosynthesis, transpiration, vine yield, water potential, xylem vessels.


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