Abstract
Water limitation has a major effect on agricultural crop production, influencing yield as well as external and internal quality parameters of table grapes. Due to their high yield potential, table grapes have a particularly high risk for yield and quality losses when water is limited, but grapevines are known for high heterogeneity within cultivars. Therefore, we investigated the effect of prolonged water deficits (control, moderate, and severe deficit) during fruit development on yield and quality parameters of four different table grape cultivars (Vitis L.). Furthermore, we ranked their suitability for cultivation in areas suffering from water limitation. Up to 31% of irrigation water could be saved in comparison to the control, without significant negative effects on plant yield, berry size, or internal quality parameters, such as total soluble solids and total phenolic content. However, single bunch yield was highest at a moderate deficit and number of seeds in berries increased with the severity of deficit. Cultivar selection had the greatest influence on water consumption and mainly defined yield and quality parameters. The cultivar ‘Fanny’ produced the highest yields (195.17 g per plant), most bunches per plant (2.04), and biggest berries while cv. ‘Nero’ had the highest total soluble solids content (26.33 °Brix) and the highest total phenolic content (67.53 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g fresh weight). Overall, ‘Fanny’ was the most promising cultivar for cultivation under water-limited conditions during fruit development, without significant effects on yield and quality parameters.
Highlights
Climate change and its effects have a major influence on agriculture
Significant differences among cultivars occurred for the number of bunches per plant, bunch yield per plant, Total soluble solids (TSS), total phenolic content, and titratable acidity (TA) (Table 1)
Vines did not reduce total plant yield or berry size even if AWC was lowered by 50% in the severe treatment, which resulted in a water saving of up to 31% irrigation water
Summary
Climate change and its effects have a major influence on agriculture. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) [1], water shortage is currently the most significant factor limiting crop production in the world. Table grapes achieve high annual yields and indicate a high productivity for the water used [5,6,7,8]. They are exposed to high risks of quality and yield losses, when water is limited during growing seasons [9]. Intensity, and duration of water limitation during the growing period are known to affect growth, yield, and quality of grapes differently [10]. Season water limitation will reduce vegetative growth, while withholding water after bud break results in lower yields and reduced fruit quality [11].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
