Improving water use efficiency in grapevines: potential physiological targets for biotechnological improvement

Improving water use efficiency (WUE) in grapevines is essential for vineyard sustainability under the increasing aridity induced by global climate change. WUE reflects the ratio between the carbon assimilated by photosynthesis and the water lost in transpiration. Maintaining stomata partially closed by regulated deficit irrigation or partial root drying represents an opportunity to increase WUE, although at the expense of decreased photosynthesis and, potentially, decreased yield. It would be even better to achieve increases in WUE by improving photosynthesis without increasing water loses. Although this is not yet possible, it could potentially be achieved by genetic engineering. This review presents current knowledge and relevant results that aim to improve WUE in grapevines by biotechnology and genetic engineering. The expected benefits of these manipulations on WUE of grapevines under water stress conditions are modelled. There are two main possible approaches to achieve this goal: (i) to improve CO₂ diffusion to the sites of carboxylation without increasing stomatal conductance; and (ii) to improve the carboxylation efficiency of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). The first goal could be attained by increasing mesophyll conductance to CO₂, which partly depends on aquaporins. The second approach could be achieved by replacing Rubisco from grapevine with Rubiscos from other C₃ species with higher specificity for CO₂. In summary, the physiological bases and future prospects for improving grape yield and WUE under drought are established.     

Grafting to improve nitrogen‐use efficiency traits in tobacco plants

Nitrate plays a major role in the yield and quality of tobacco plants. This work explored the nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE) and how it can be affected by grafting. Two experiments were designed: in the first, using six commercial tobacco cultivars, the best cultivar for the NUE was selected and analysed for foliar NO₃^? content, total N, nicotine and nitrate reductase (NR) activity. The results showed the cultivar H‐20 to have the best performance on NUE. It was further featured by the highest NR activity and total N and by the lowest NO₃^? and nicotine content, resulting in the highest foliar leaf biomass production and quality. In the second experiment it was tested whether the cultivar H‐20 could be used as rootstock to improve the NUE of the other cultivars under study. The results showed that the grafted plants had improved the NO₃^? assimilation with respect to non‐grafted plants. Hence grafting tobacco plants can be used as a quick and effective method to improve NUE, which has beneficial implications for human health and for a reduction in environmental pollution. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of applied water amounts at various fractions of evapotranspiration (ETc) on leaf gas exchange of Thompson Seedless grapevines

Aims: To determine the effects of applied water amounts at various fractions (0.2, 0.6, 1.0 and 1.4) of grapevine evapotranspiration on leaf gas exchange of Thompson Seedless grapevines. Methods and Results: Midday stomatal conductance (g_s) decreased linearly as leaf water potential (Ψ_l) and soil water content decreased. Leaf net CO₂ assimilation rate only decreased once midday Ψ_l values were less than ?1.0 MPa and when ～50% of the soil water content at field capacity had been depleted. The mean seasonal midday A/g_s ratio (intrinsic water use efficiency) was greatest for the 0.2 irrigation treatment and decreased as applied water amounts increased. Diurnal A and g_s for vines irrigated at the 0.6 level or greater reached a maximum prior to midday remained constant thereafter before decreasing late in the afternoon, while those for vines that received less water decreased subsequent to the first measurement of the day. Conclusions: A and g_s responded differently to vine and soil water statuses under the conditions of this study. There was no midday depression in either A or g_s for vines irrigated at full evapotranspiration. Significance of the Study: The values of Ψ_l, A and g_s reported here would serve as criteria to indicate that vines were well watered.     

Physiological optimality,allocation trade‐offs and antioxidant protection linked to better leaf yield performance in drought exposed mulberry

BACKGROUND: Mulberry (Morus spp. L.), usually linked to silkworm rearing, is now considered as a potential forage for livestock feeding and has great potential in world agriculture. Trait‐based investigations for leaf yield stability in mulberry under water stress have not been studied extensively. The present study aims to identify candidate traits conferring leaf yield stability in mulberry under drought. RESULTS: Four popular, indigenous mulberry cultivars (Morus indica L. cvs AR‐12, K‐2, M. Local and V‐1) were investigated. Low leaf temperature (T_l), higher internal/ambient CO₂ ratios (C_i/C_a), greater stomatal conductance to CO₂ (g_s) and stability in photosystem II efficiency were associated with better net photosynthetic rates (P_n) in V‐1, generating maximum leaf yield when compared to other drought‐exposed cultivars. Increased accumulation of foliar α‐tocopherol and ascorbic acid–glutathione pool, associated with higher carotenoids, proline and glycine betaine, facilitated lower lipid peroxidation and better leaf yield in V‐1 under drought. CONCLUSION: Minimal plasticity in photosynthetic gas exchange traits and better quantitative growth characteristics were attributed to leaf yield stability under drought. Lower photoinhibition, stabilized photochemistry, effective osmoregulation and enhanced activity of foliar antioxidants extensively contributed to drought tolerance and higher leaf yield in mulberry. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improving water use efficiency in grapevines: potential physiological targets for biotechnological improvement

Improving water use efficiency (WUE) in grapevines is essential for vineyard sustainability under the increasing aridity induced by global climate change. WUE reflects the ratio between the carbon assimilated by photosynthesis and the water lost in transpiration. Maintaining stomata partially closed by regulated deficit irrigation or partial root drying represents an opportunity to increase WUE, although at the expense of decreased photosynthesis and, potentially, decreased yield. It would be even better to achieve increases in WUE by improving photosynthesis without increasing water loses. Although this is not yet possible, it could potentially be achieved by genetic engineering. This review presents current knowledge and relevant results that aim to improve WUE in grapevines by biotechnology and genetic engineering. The expected benefits of these manipulations on WUE of grapevines under water stress conditions are modelled. There are two main possible approaches to achieve this goal: (i) to improve CO₂ diffusion to the sites of carboxylation without increasing stomatal conductance; and (ii) to improve the carboxylation efficiency of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). The first goal could be attained by increasing mesophyll conductance to CO₂, which partly depends on aquaporins. The second approach could be achieved by replacing Rubisco from grapevine with Rubiscos from other C₃ species with higher specificity for CO₂. In summary, the physiological bases and future prospects for improving grape yield and WUE under drought are established.     

Production of fungal biomass from cormel process waste‐water of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L) Schott) using Aspergillus oryzae obtained from cormel flour

Aspergillus oryzae obtained from spoilt cormel flour was subjected to mutation treatments using X‐rays, solar radiation and bleach. Exposure of A oryzae spores to X‐radiation of 50 kV at 20 mA s and other treatments induced both mutation and lethality in the organism. Following selection and screening of viable colonies on a medium containing cormel process waste‐water as the only carbon source, two strains, A oryzae No 15 and A oryzae No 8, which significantly (P ≤ 0.05) produced more biomass at a higher growth rate than the wild parent, were chosen for single‐cell protein production. Nutrient content of the single‐cell protein produced by the mutants was comparable to that of the wild type. Addition of 3.0 g each of (NH₄)₂SO₄, NH₄NO₃, NH₄Cl, and urea in 1 l of Xanthosoma process waste‐water increased the growth rate of mutants, with the highest increase observed with urea. Medium amended with urea also produced fungal biomass with the highest protein level of 7.97 g l^?1 for A oryzae No 8 strain compared with a protein yield of 3.97 g l^?1 obtained in the control. Total biomass produced after 54 h was 22.47 g l^?1 for A oryzae No 15 strain when urea was added, whereas only 15.20 g l^?1 was produced when no nitrogen source was added. The optimal temperature for single‐cell protein production was found to be 35 °C and the optimal pH was 3.50. A speed of 100 rpm gave the largest quantity of fungal biomass for the mutants tested. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Possible heat‐tolerant wheat cultivar improvement through the use of flag leaf gas exchange traits in a Mediterranean environment

BACKGROUND: Flag leaf traits are associated with performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes in heat‐stress environments. Fifteen cultivars were evaluated during 3 years with two sowing dates under irrigated conditions so as to examine the relationship between the flag leaf traits and performance in a Mediterranean environment. RESULTS: It became possible to assess a heat susceptibility index (HSI) for each cultivar by altering the sowing date, exposing the crops to different temperatures. The cultivars showed significant differences for all measured traits except canopy temperatures and chlorophyll fluorescence, though not all were consistent. Excluding two cultivars that differed in development, yield, grain number, harvest index and leaf A_n (net CO₂ assimilation rate), g_s (stomatal conductance to water vapor), m_c (apparent mesophyll conductance of CO₂) and ash content were negatively associated with HSI, whereas leaf area and width were positively associated. Traits showing the best correlation with HSI were A_n, followed by area, g_s, m_c, width and ash content. High A_n was associated with smaller leaf size. CONCLUSION: It is worthwhile to select high ear grain number and harvest index. In addition, flag leaf gas exchange traits and ash content can be used as complementary selection criteria after the possible pleiotropic associations of these traits with leaf size are clarified. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Review: the interaction between rootstocks and cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) to enhance drought tolerance in grapevine

Water scarcity is a key limiting factor in agriculture. Grapevines react at the physiological, biochemical and genetic level to tolerate water constraints. Even though grapevines are considered relatively tolerant to water deficits, grapevine growth and yield can be seriously reduced under water deficit. Drought‐tolerant rootstocks are expected to enable the scion to grow and yield when water supply is limited. Genetic machinery allows rootstocks to control water extraction capacity and scion transpiration. Numerous works have demonstrated the positive role of drought‐tolerant rootstocks on the control of cultivar's leaf stomatal conductance and therefore on canopy transpiration. The mechanisms, in terms of signalisation and gene functioning, need further study. Furthermore, there is no standardised methodology to rank rootstocks in terms of their tolerance to drought. A potential effect of rootstocks on stomatal development is also discussed. This review will critically discuss the current knowledge of the mechanisms of drought tolerance afforded by rootstocks, taking into account the scion/rootstock interaction, and will present some of the challenges for future investigations.     

Low-resolution remotely sensed images of winegrape vineyards map spatial variability in planimetric canopy area instead of leaf area index

Background and Aims: Knowledge of the spatial variability of grapevine canopy density is useful in managing the variability of grape composition and yield. Rapid assessment of the characteristics of vineyards by remote sensing offers distinct advantages over ground‐based measurements. In an effort to capture such advantages, this study aimed to assess the relative contribution to LAI of grapevine canopy density and grapevine canopy area derived from high‐spatial‐resolution airborne digital imagery. Methods and Results: High‐spatial‐resolution airborne NDVI imagery of minimally pruned, unconfined (i.e. not confined by trellising) grapevines was used to partition image pixels into grapevine‐only and non‐grapevine groupings. An evaluation of the relative contributions of grapevine planimetric area (number of grapevine pixels across a single row) and leaf layers (NDVI of grapevine‐only pixels) found that the variability observed across the vineyard was dominated by changes in canopy area rather than grapevine‐only NDVI. Conclusion: The primary predictive variable of grapevine LAI is canopy area. Low‐spatial‐resolution NDVI imagery of minimally pruned, unconfined vineyards is therefore effective in mapping spatial variability in planimetric canopy area, rather than LAI. Significance of the Study: The process of estimating grapevine LAI from mixed pixels has incorrectly assumed that both components of LAI within a pixel's footprint, namely the number of leaf layers and planimetric canopy area, produce a consistent response in NDVI. Correlations between NDVI and LAI reported in previous studies based on low‐resolution imagery most likely relied on the proxy relationship between NDVI and canopy area.     

Non‐destructive measurement of grapevine water potential using near infrared spectroscopy

Background and Aims: Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy techniques are not only used for a variety of physical and chemical analyses in the food industry, but also in remote sensing studies as tools to predict plant water status. In this study, NIR spectroscopy was evaluated as a method to estimate water potential of grapevines. Methods and Results: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Shiraz leaves were scanned using an Integrated Spectronic (300–1100 nm) or an ASD FieldSpec^® 3 (Analytical Spectral Devices, Boulder, Colorado, USA) (350–1850 nm) spectrophotometer and then measured to obtain midday leaf water potential using a pressure chamber. On the same shoot, the leaf adjacent the one used for midday leaf water potential measurement was used to measure midday stem water potential. Calibrations were built and NIR showed good prediction ability (standard error in cross validation (SECV) <0.24 MPa) for stem water potential for each of the three grapevine varieties. The best calibration was obtained for the prediction of stem water potential in Shiraz (R = 0.92 and a SECV = 0.09 MPa). Conclusion: Differences in the NIR spectra were related to the leaf surface from which the spectra were collected, and this had an effect on the accuracy of the calibration results for water potential. We demonstrated that NIR can be used as a simple and rapid method to detect grapevine water status. Significance of the Study: Grapevine water potential can be measured using NIR spectroscopy. The advantages of this new approach are speed and low cost of analysis. It may be possible for NIR to be used as a non‐destructive, in‐field tool for irrigation scheduling.     

Suppression of blood glucose level by a new fermented tea obtained by tea‐rolling processing of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) and green tea leaves in disaccharide‐loaded Sprague‐Dawley rats

BACKGROUND: In the field of food science, much interest has been focused on the development of alternative medicinal foods with the ability to regulate excess blood glucose level (BGL) rise. The authors have successfully developed a new fermented tea product (LG tea) by co‐fermentation of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaf and summer‐harvested green tea leaf. The objective of this study was to examine the acute suppression effect of LG tea on BGL rise in disaccharide‐loaded Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats and to evaluate its possible usage as an antidiabetic functional food material. RESULTS: As a result of single oral administration of hot water extract of LG tea (50 mg kg^?1) to maltose‐loaded SD rats, BGL at 30 min was significantly decreased by 23.8% (P < 0.01) compared with the control. A corresponding reduction in serum insulin secretion was also observed. The ED₅₀ value of LG tea (50.7 mg kg^?1) was estimated to be about 16‐fold higher than that of the therapeutic drug acarbose (3.1 mg kg^?1). CONCLUSION: No significant change in BGL was observed when sucrose or glucose was administered, suggesting that the suppression effect of LG tea was achieved by maltase inhibition, not by sucrase inhibition or glucose transport inhibition at the intestinal membrane. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effectiveness of a water-saving super-absorbent polymer in soil water conservation for corn (Zea mays L.) based on eco-physiological parameters

BACKGROUND: The objective was to study soil water conservation and physiological growth of corn (Zea mays L.) using water‐saving super‐absorbent polymer (SAP) at 30 kg ha^?1. The effectiveness of SAP was studied under three irrigation levels (adequate, moderate and deficit) using a new type of negative hydraulic pressure controlled auto‐irrigator in the years 2009 and 2010 in a greenhouse at Beijing, P.R. China. RESULTS: Eight weeks after sowing, plant height and leaf area increased significantly by 41.6 and 79.6% under deficit irrigation for SAP treatment. The SAP had little effect on shoot dry mass under adequate and moderate irrigation but increased it significantly by 133.5% under deficit irrigation. Similarly, the efficiency of water use also increased by 97.1%. Leaf water potential under adequate and moderate irrigation differs slightly for SAP application, whereas under deficit irrigation the values were exceeded significantly by 27.8%. The superior growth and water use efficiency of corn treated with SAP under deficit irrigation was ascribed to maintenance of higher relative water contents in leaves as well as intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, net photosynthesis and transpiration rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that plant growth and different physiological activities are restricted by drought stress and the application of super‐absorbent polymer could conserve soil water, making same available to plants for increased growth and biomass accumulation especially under severe water stress. Thus, application of SAP is a suitable soil management practice for the locations characterised by severe water stress. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical and structural characteristics of starches from Chinese hull‐less barley cultivars

Fourteen hull‐less barley cultivars, collected from four major cultivated areas in China, were employed to investigate the structural and physicochemical properties of their starches in this study. Relatively wide variations in physicochemical properties of the starches were observed. Amylose content ranged from 23.1% to 30.0%, swelling power and water solubility index ranged from 12.8 to 19.9 g g^?1 and 12.7% to 23.7% respectively. Peak viscosity was from 170 to 346 Rapid Visco Unit (RVU), peak temperature (T_p) of starch gelatinisation was from 55.6 to 61.8 °C and enthalpy of starch retrogradation ranged from 0.3 to 3.1 J g^?1. Weight‐based chain‐length proportions of fa, fb₁, fb₂ and fb₃ in amylopectins ranged from 21.65% to 24.95%, 44.48% to 49.44%, 15.56% to 17.19% and 9.83% to 16.66% respectively. Correlation analyses showed that amylose content was inversely related to pasting parameters and enthalpy of gelatinisation. Pasting properties and amylopectin structures were the most important parameters to differentiate starch properties among different hull‐less barley cultivars in this study. This work will be useful for exploring applications of Chinese hull‐less barley starches in food and non‐food industries.     

Allometric and biochemical responses of grapevines subjected to drought and enhanced ultraviolet‐B radiation

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in adaptive responses in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cv Soultanina) exposed to either drought, enhanced ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) radiation or the combination of the two environmental stresses. Methods and Results: Results indicated pronounced effects on allometric parameters in plants exposed to the enhanced UV‐B radiation. The combined application of drought and enhanced UV‐B radiation considerably affected shoot growth rate and leaf dry weight. Guaiacol peroxidase (GPX, EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11), superoxide dismutase (SOD, 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT, 1.11.1.6) activities increased significantly in the enhanced UV‐B radiation treatment. Drought resulted in a significant increase in proline concentration, while the exposure of plants to enhanced UV‐B radiation resulted in the production of UV‐B absorbing compounds (UV_abs). Conclusions: Under drought conditions proline accumulation seemed to be the main mechanism of adaptation contributing to plant's antioxidant defence. On the other hand, under enhanced UV‐B radiation, the accumulation of the UV‐B absorbing compounds and the increase in antioxidant enzymes activities constitute the main mechanisms of grapevine adaptation. Significance of the Study: The data obtained indicate the occurrence of two different mechanisms of adaptation in response to the stressor applied. Furthermore, the patterns of proline and UV_abs concentration changes under stress conditions suggest that the biosynthesis of these two compounds might follow competing metabolic pathways.     

土壤水势对烤烟生长及其耗水特性的影响

为筛选负压灌溉条件下烤烟适宜的土壤水势,于2012年在山东诸城市利用负压灌溉装置设置了3个不同的土壤水势,在田间原位盆栽条件下考察了土壤水势对烤烟生长、耗水特征、干物质积累与分配、水分利用效率(WUE)的影响。结果表明,在负压灌溉条件下,土壤水势维持在-20~-10 kPa范围内,能使烤烟植物学性状生长优良;烟株耗水量、耗水强度、干物质积累总量(DAM)及叶干重比例均随土壤水势增大而增加,但各生育期的耗水模数与灌溉方式无关;WUE随土壤水势降低而增大,在同一土壤水势条件下随生育期推移而增加。从潜在产量和水资源高效利用等角度综合分析,提出基于负压灌溉下不同生育期应采用不同土壤水势值进行供水,具体为伸根期适宜的土壤水势范围为-30~-20 kPa,旺长期约为-10 kPa,成熟期约为-20 kPa。     

Reduced irrigation and rootstock effects on vegetative growth,yield and its components,and leaf physiological responses of Shiraz

Background and Aims: The study investigated whether rootstocks can modify grapevine responses to reduced irrigation. Methods and Results: Drip-irrigated Shiraz vines on eight rootstocks were subjected to industry standard and 30% reduced irrigation regimes over four seasons. Reducing irrigation decreased pruning weights and yield, but did not consistently affect irrigation water use index (IWUI). It increased leaf Δ¹³C. Reduced irrigation and elevated vapour pressure deficit (VPD) were associated with decreases in leaf water potential (ψ_l), leaf stomatal conductance and assimilation rate. Reducing irrigation raised leaf transpiration efficiency, whereas elevated VPD lowered it. These effects of reduced irrigation were independent of rootstock. Vines grafted to 101-14 had a higher ψ_l and achieved the highest yield and IWUI. The yields of vines grafted to Ramsey, Schwarzmann and 140 Ruggeri were also high. Vines grafted to 101-14, Ramsey and 1103 Paulsen had the higher rates of leaf assimilation. Rootstock did not affect Δ¹³C. Conclusion: The gain in leaf transpiration efficiency caused by reducing irrigation was not associated with a gain in IWUI. Rootstocks 101-14, Ramsey, Schwarzmann and 140 Ruggeri achieved higher yields and IWUI under both standard and reduced irrigation regimes. Significance of the Study: Among grafted vines growing on saline soil but receiving non-saline irrigation water and subject to a 30% reduction in irrigation, the yield responses of vines grafted on rootstocks rated as having good drought tolerance were the same as those of vines grafted on rootstocks rated as having poor drought tolerance.     

Profiling and accurate quantification of trans‐resveratrol,trans‐piceid,trans‐pterostilbene and 11 viniferins induced by Plasmopara viticola in partially resistant grapevine leaves

Background and Aims: In the Vitaceae, stilbenoid viniferins constitute a relatively restricted group of molecules based on a trans‐resveratrol structure and represent the main known phytoalexins. The aim of this work was the development of a new method for the chromatographic separation and accurate quantification of viniferins found in grapevine leaves following infection with Plasmopara viticola. Methods and Results: An interspecific F1 population was used, deriving from the cross between Merzling and Teroldego, respectively, partially resistant and susceptible to P. viticola. Analysis was carried on a liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) system, using a reverse phase column. A method was validated for detailed metabolite profiling, with accurate identification and quantification of trans‐resveratrol, trans‐piceid, trans‐pterostilbene, a condensation product between (+)‐catechin and caffeic acid, and the whole class of stilbenoid viniferins in P. viticola‐infected grapevine leaves, using their respective standards. Synthesis was ongoing, and 6 days after infection, it was possible to see the highest concentration of stilbenoids for all genotypes. On the other hand, the intensity of stilbene induction did not show a clear and homogeneous correlation with the position of the leaves in the young shoot. Conclusions: The method described in this paper provides the basis for performing in a single run a targeted analysis of resveratrol, piceid, pterostilbene and the whole class of stilbenoids in P. viticola‐infected grapevine genotypes. Significance of the Study: To our knowledge, this is the first paper that has reported on detailed metabolite profiling with accurate identification and quantification of the main viniferins in grape leaves following infection with P. viticola, using the respective standards.     

Moisture‐Absorption and Water Dynamics in the Powder of Egg Albumen Peptide,Met‐Pro‐Asp‐Ala‐His‐Leu

Moisture absorbed into the powder of Met‐Pro‐Asp‐Ala‐His‐Leu (MPDAHL)—a novel egg albumen antioxidant peptide—profoundly affects its properties. In this study, we elucidated water dynamics in MPDAHL using DVS, DSC, and low‐field ¹H NMR. Based on the DVS data, we found that MPDAHL sorption kinetics obey a parallel exponential model. DSC results indicated that both water and heating could change the microstructure of MPDAHL. The T₂ parameters of NMR reflected the different phases of moisture absorption revealed that there were 4 categories of water with different states or mobility in the MPDAHL during the moisture absorption process. The fastest fraction T_2b mainly dominated the hygroscopicity of MPDAHL and the absorbed water significantly changed the proton distribution and structure of MPDAHL. Thus, this study shows that DVS, DSC, and low‐field ¹H NMR are effective methods for monitoring water mobility and distribution in synthetic peptides. It can be used to improve the quality assurance of functional peptides.     

Interaction of rootstock and applied water amounts at various fractions of estimated evapotranspiration (ETc) on productivity of Cabernet Sauvignon

Background and Aims: It is commonly thought that grapevine rootstocks vary in their tolerance to drought. This study examined the interaction between various applied water amounts and productivity of Cabernet Sauvignon grafted onto five rootstocks. Methods and Results: The commercial vineyard used in this study was located along the central coast of California. The rootstocks used were Teleki 5C, 110 Ricter, 140 Ruggeri, 1103 Paulson and Freedom. Irrigation amounts ranged from 0.25 up to 1.25 of estimated vineyard evapotranspiration. Midday leaf water potential (Ψ_l), was significantly affected by irrigation treatment but not by rootstock. There was a significant effect of irrigation treatment and rootstock on berry weight, number of bunches per vine and yield but no interaction between those two factors. The rootstock 5C had the lowest yield compared with the other rootstocks. Yield at the 0.25 irrigation level was approximately 62% of the yield at the 1.25 irrigation level across rootstocks. Irrigation treatment was the only factor that significantly affected soluble solids in the fruit. There was a significant interaction between rootstock and irrigation amount on pruning weights. Berry weight, yield and pruning weights were linearly correlated with midday Ψ_l across rootstock and year. Conclusions: The results indicate that the rootstocks producing greater yields at the highest applied water amounts also produced greater yields when deficit irrigated. Significance of the Study: Under both stressed and non-stressed conditions, the rootstocks with the highest yield were those with the greatest number of bunches.     

Transpiration efficiency and carbon-isotope discrimination of grapevines grown under well-watered conditions in either glasshouse or vineyard

This paper describes variation in transpiration efficiency ‘W’ (where W = dry matter produced/water transpired) among grapevine genotypes grown under well‐watered conditions in either a glasshouse or a vineyard. Nineteen genotypes were grown in a glasshouse where growth and transpiration were measured. W ranged from 2.5 to 3.4 g dm/kg H₂O transpired. Carbon‐isotope discrimination (Δ) of laminae dry matter ranged from 20.8 to 22.7%o and there was a negative relationship (R²= 0.58) between W and Δ. A large proportion of variation in W could be attributed to variation in stomatal conductance. Genotypic variation in photosynthetic capacity was also an important component of variation in W. In a second experiment, lamina Δ was measured for mature field‐grown Shiraz and Chardonnay, grown either on their own roots or grafted to five different rootstocks, and maintained at three sites under well‐watered conditions. At all sites and regardless of rootstock, the laminae of Chardonnay had Δ values 1 to 2%o lower than Shiraz. There was also a 1 to 2%o variation among the sites. Rootstock variety affected Δ values inconsistently and by a maximum of 0.5%o. Leaf gas exchange measurements were performed at a single site on sun‐exposed leaves of Chardonnay and Shiraz on either their own roots or 1103 Paulsen, a moderate to high vigour rootstock. There was no significant effect of rootstock on leaf gas exchange and photosynthetic rates did not differ between scion varieties. However, Chardonnay had a 20% lower stomatal conductance and a 1.4‐fold higher ratio of CO₂assimilation/H₂O transpiration (A/T) indicating a potentially higher W, at a leaf level, for Chardonnay compared with Shiraz. We conclude that photosynthetic capacity was also higher for Chardonnay. Δ values, predicted from the C_i/C_a ratio calculated from leaf gas exchange measurements, did not differ significantly from measured values for laminae Δ. This similarity for Δ, in conjunction with the fact that the lower Δ of Chardonnay was reflected in a higher A/T ratio, suggests that Δ may be a reliable predictor of comparative W under vineyard conditions.