The Effect of Grapevine Age (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Zinfandel) on Phenology and Gas Exchange Parameters over Consecutive Growing Seasons.

Vegas Riffle,Jean Catherine Dodson Peterson,L Federico Casassa,Nathaniel Palmer

doi:10.3390/plants10020311

Vegas Riffle, Jean Catherine Dodson Peterson + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10020311

Copy DOI

Abstract

Unlike most crop industries, there is a strongly held belief within the wine industry that increased vine age correlates with quality. Considering this perception could be explained by vine physiological differences, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vine age on phenology and gas exchange parameters. An interplanted, dry farmed, Zinfandel vineyard block under consistent management practices in the Central Coast of California was evaluated over two consecutive growing seasons. Treatments included Young vines (5 to 12 years old), Control (representative proportion of young to old vines in the block), and Old vines (40 to 60 years old). Phenology, leaf water potential, and gas exchange parameters were tracked. Results indicated a difference in phenological progression after berry set between Young and Old vines. Young vines progressed more slowly during berry formation and more rapidly during berry ripening, resulting in Young vines being harvested before Old vines due to variation in the timing of sugar accumulation. No differences in leaf water potential were found. Young vines had higher mid-day stomatal conductance and tended to have higher mid-day photosynthetic rates. The results of this study suggest vine age is a factor in phenological timing and growing season length.

Highlights

Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) are long-lived perennial plants, with one such vine documented as more than 400 years old [1,2]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of grapevine age on phenology and gas exchange parameters in the Central Coast of California
This study evaluated the effect of vine age on phenology and gas exchange parameters in a single interplanted block with Young an Old vines over two consecutive growing seasons in cv

Summary

Introduction

Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) are long-lived perennial plants, with one such vine documented as more than 400 years old [1,2]. Under commercial conditions, vineyards are typically productive for 30 to 50 years. The specific number of years required to make a vineyard block economically viable varies from site-to-site and by marketing goal, the longer vines are kept in production, the larger the profit margin. Many factors have contributed to decreasing lifespan of commercial vineyards, including damage and decline phylloxera (Daktulospaira vitifoliae Fitch) [3], various nematode species [4], and wood rot diseases, such as Eutypa lata [5]. The time at which vines are designated as “old” is somewhat unclear, most agree a decreased capacity to set and mature fruit is a common factor [9,10]. This, in turn, is thought to result in more concentrated flavors, yielding superior fruit and wine quality [10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion