Cold acclimation of Concord grapevines III. Relationship between cold hardiness, tissue water content, and shoot maturation

Abstract

Cold acclimation of Concord grapevines in Michigan begins as early as late August in tissues at the base of current season's growth. Increases in cold hardiness are closely related to decreases in tissue water content as stems achieve vegetative maturity. Greatest differences in hardiness and water content are found in tissues which vary the most in extent of maturation on both primary shoots and summer laterals. Increases in cold resistance are not related to water saturation deficit (WSD) of shoots.