Impact of soil texture and water availability on the hydraulic control of plant and grape-berry development

Abstract

Aims All components of the soil-plant-atmosphere (sp-a) continuum are known to control berry quality in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) via ecophysiological interactions between water uptake by roots and water loss by leaves. The scope of the present work was to explore how the main hydraulic components of grapevine influence fruit quality through changes in liquidand gas-phase hydraulic conductance. Methods To reach our objectives, determinations of shoot growth, berry size and sugar content, leaf gas exchange, predawn leaf water potential (as a proxy of soil water potential), midday stem water potential and leaf water potential were performed in conjunction with anatomical measurements of shoot xylem. All measurements were conducted in two different cultivars (Cabernet franc and Merlot) and on three different soil types (clayey, gravelly, and sandy).