Location: Horticultural Crops Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-21000-052-004-G
Project Type: Grant
Start Date: Sep 9, 2014
End Date: Sep 8, 2019
Objective:
We propose stomatal conductance as a rapid index of plant water status for efficient irrigation and water management strategies in grapevines. The specific objectives of this proposal are to:
1. Determine stomatal conductance of leaves used for measuring leaf water potential and examine its relationship with leaf water potential in different grapevine cultivar.
2. Determine stomatal features of the leaf region used for measuring stomatal conductance and examine its relationship with stomatal conductance in different grapevine cultivars.
3. Apply objectives 1 and 2 to determine threshold values of stomatal conductance beyond which irrigation is necessary and evaluate stomatal-conductance-based irrigation on fruit quality.
Approach:
Field-grown cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. differing in leaf morphology and vine physiology will be examined to determine the vine water status by measuring stomatal conductance of leaves. The varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling, Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on their own roots. Water will be supplied twice per week from the beginning of berry development (June) until harvest (September). The experimental design will be randomized block design with 4 replications. Each replicate (row) will have 15 vines. Leaf water potential, assesment of yield and berry composition, and microscopy of leaves for examining stomatal traits will also be conducted.
Amendment #3 adds funds to continue the current research objectives and will be used to finalize data analyses and phenology monitoring, present information at grower meetings, and finalize research findings for publication.
