The Water Needs of Grapevines in Central Poland

Barbara Jagosz,Ariel Łangowski,Wiesław Ptach,Wiesława Kasperska-Wołowicz,Hicran A Sadan,Roman Rolbiecki,Piotr Stachowski,Daniel Liberacki,Ferenc Pal-Fam,Stanisław Rolbiecki

doi:10.3390/agronomy11030416

Abstract

Climate warming increases the water needs of plants. The aim of this study was to estimate the water needs of grapevines in central Poland. Water needs were calculated using the crop coefficients method. Reference evapotranspiration was assessed by the Blaney–Criddle’s equation, modified for climate conditions in Poland. Crop coefficients were assumed according to the Doorenbos and Pruitt method. Water needs were calculated using the data from four meteorological stations. Rainfall deficit with the probability occurrence of normal years, medium dry years, and very dry years was determined by the Ostromęcki’s method. Water needs of grapevines during the average growing season were estimated at 438 mm. Upward time trend in the water needs both in the period of May–October and June–August was estimated. Temporal variability in the water needs was significant for all of the provinces. These changes were mainly impacted by a significant increasing tendency in mean air temperature and less by precipitation totals that did not show a clear changing tendency. Due to climate change, vineyards will require irrigation in the near future. The use of resource-efficient irrigation requires a precise estimate of the grapevines’ water needs. The study identified the water requirements for grapevines in central Poland.

Highlights

Despite the unfavorable climatic conditions, the tradition of viticulture in Poland dates back to the Middle Ages
Crop evapotranspiration was applied as a measure of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) water needs [21]
The reference evapotranspiration was calculated by the Blaney–Criddle equation, which is based on air temperature and was modified for Polish environmental conditions [22,23,24]

Summary

Introduction

Despite the unfavorable climatic conditions, the tradition of viticulture in Poland dates back to the Middle Ages. The largest number of vineyards in Poland is located in the south-eastern, south-western, and southern provinces of the country, where the most favorable climatic conditions for viticulture are [1,2,3,4]. The development of new vineyards in Poland is the effect of improving economic conditions and changes in consumer preferences, as well as the increase of ecological agro-tourism, including oeno-tourism activities. According to Rzekanowski [15], in the case of fruit plants, the highest water deficits occur in the great valleys area, i.e., central Poland, while more favorable water conditions are in the southern and northern region of the country. The most important factors that limit the development of vineyards in central Poland are minimum winter temperature (−30 ◦C occurring at least once in 10 years), as well as spring and autumn frosts [16]. The SAT in northeastern Poland is about 2200 ◦C, 2600 ◦C in the highlands of central Poland, and 2700 ◦C in the south-west and west part of the country [17,18]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion