Abstract
The irrigation water available for agriculture will be scarce in the future due to increased competition for water with other sectors, and the issue may become more serious due to climate change. In Chile, the table grape is only cultivated under irrigation. A five-year research program (2007–2012) was carried out in the Aconcagua Valley, the central area of grapes in Chile, to evaluate the response of table grape vines (Vitis vinifera L., cv Thompson Seedless) to different volumes of irrigation water. Four irrigation treatments were applied: 60, 88, 120 and 157% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) during the first four years, and 40, 54, 92 and 108% of ETc in the last year. Irrigation over 90%–100% of ETc did not increase fruit yield, whereas the application of water below 90% ETc decreased exportable yield, berry size and pruning weight. For example, 60% ETc applied water reduced exportable yield by 20%, and only 40% of the berries were in the extra and large category size, while pruning weight was 30% lower in comparison to the treatment receiving more water.
Highlights
Chile is one of the main exporters of table grapes in the world
sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) below 80%–90% ETc is not recommended, at least before harvest
Irrigation water above 90%–100% ETc did not increase fruit yield in table grapes, whereas the application of water below 90% ETc decreased exportable yield and fruit quality as reflected by smaller berry size and a greater proportion of yellow fruit
Summary
Chile is one of the main exporters of table grapes in the world. There are 52,234 hectares dedicated to table grape cultivation, from the Atacama Region (30°S Latitude) to the Maule Region (36°S). The annual production of table grape was 725,000 tons in 2013/2014 [1]. The wide territorial extension of table grape cultivation means that it grows under different climatic conditions, ranging from desert in the north (30°S Lat.) to the Mediterranean climate between 30°and 40°S [2]. The Aconcagua Valley in Chile is one of the most important zones in the production of table grapes in the country, with 10,770 ha in full production annually.
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