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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #326538
Title: Regulated deficit irrigation on Malbec and Syrah grape volatiles

Author
item YUAN, FANG - Oregon State University
item QIAN, YANPING - Oregon State University
item Shellie, Krista
item QIAN, MICHAEL - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2016
Publication Date: 6/27/2016
Citation: Yuan, F., Qian, Y., Shellie, K., Qian, M. 2016. Regulated deficit irrigation on Malbec and Syrah grape volatiles. Meeting Abstract. 67th ASEV Technical Abstracts/ pg. 118.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The concentrations of volatile compounds and precursors in grape berries are highly influenced by viticultural practices. Among these cultural practices, regulated deficit irrigation, aimed at improving water use efficiency and reducing canopy vigor, is an important practice for sustainable agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Imposing a water deficit to the vine during berry development is an important vineyard management strategy to alter grape and wine quality. Previous studies have shown that water deficit influenced physiological parameters of the vine, changed berry composition and improved sensory attribute of wines by increasing fruity aroma and decreasing vegetal aromas. The objective of this study is to determine water stress on grape secondary metabolites and implication to wine quality. Four irrigation regime (70 % ETc from fruit set to veraison, 35 % ETc from veraison to harvest (70/35), 70% ETc sustained from fruit set to harvest (70/70), 35 % ETc from fruit set to veraison, 70 % ETc from veraison to harvest (35/70), and 35% ETc sustained from fruit set to harvest (35/35)) was applied to the vines with two irritation frequencies (1x= one event per week, 3x=same irrigation amount apportioned into three irrigation events per week). In year 2013, 35/35 treatment with 1x frequency resulted in highest trans-ß-damascenone concentration in Malbec grapes but no significant difference was observed for Syrah grapes. 35/35 treatment with 1x frequency also resulted in higher vitispirane and TDN in Malbec grapes but not in Syrah. Syrah has higher concentration of C6 compounds compared to Malbec grape. The effect of irrigation on grape volatile composition might be variety dependent. In year 2014, wine was made from the grape of the same trial and wine volatile composition was analyzed. Result shows the concentration of trans-3-hexen-1-ol was highest with 70/35 and 70/70 treatments in both Malbec and Syrah wines compared to 35/70 and 35/35 treatments.