Relationships between Water Status, Leaf Chlorophyll Content and Photosynthetic Performance in Tempranillo Vineyards

  • G. Hailemichael Jimma Agricultural Research Centre, P.O. Box 192, Jimma, Ethiopia
  • A. Catalina Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. de Madrid 57, 34004 Palencia, Spain
  • M.R. González Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. de Madrid 57, 34004 Palencia, Spain
  • P. Martin Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. de Madrid 57, 34004 Palencia, Spain

Abstract

The aims of this work were (i) to study the relationships between leaf water potential, foliar chlorophyll
content and photosynthetic performance of grapevines under field conditions, and (ii) to evaluate the
feasibility of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters to assess water status in commercial vineyards. During
three consecutive seasons (2011 to 2013), 20 non-irrigated “Tempranillo” vineyard subzones were monitored
in Ribera del Duero, Spain. Data on foliar chlorophyll content, midday and predawn leaf water potential,
net assimilation and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured at fruit set, pre-véraison and
véraison. The results show that the water potential indicated weak to moderate stress in the study years
and decreased along the vegetative cycle, while foliar chlorophyll contents showed an increasing trend. The
correlation between both variables was not consistent. Linear regression of the chlorophyll fluorescence
parameters in dark-adapted leaves, Fo, Fv and Fv/Fm, over chlorophyll content was strong in all the
study years (higher determination coefficients for Fv/Fm at fruit set in 2012 and 2013). In general, the
water potential with low coefficients of variation showed a low effect on photosynthesis activity, although
values in variables such as Fm, Fv, Fv/Fm, Fs/Fo and ΦPSII registered an increasing trend when midday
leaf water potential decreased in the pre-véraison and véraison stages. These variables could be useful to
estimate water status in commercial vineyards for application in precision viticulture.

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Published
2016-10-19
Section
Articles