Abstract
A field study was conducted in central California to characterize the effects of rootstock genotype and applied water amounts on the productivity and anthocyanin content of Zinfandel (Vitis vinifera, L.) grape berry in a hot climate. Zinfandel grafted on either rootstock Freedom (Fresno 1613-59 × Dog Ridge 5, 27% V. vinifera hybrid; high vigor, nematode resistant) or Salt Creek (Vitis champinii, high vigor, phylloxera and nematode resistant and salt tolerant) was studied during two growing seasons under sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI). Mid-day leaf water potential (Ψl), canopy architecture, yield, berry composition and berry skin anthocyanin content were measured at harvest during the two growing seasons. The Ψl of Zinfandel was consistently higher with the SDI where rootstock genotype did not affect it. Zinfandel grafted on Freedom consistently had greater berry weight, cluster number and weight and yield per vine compared to Salt Creek. The skin and seed mass, as well as seed number per berry of Zinfandel were greater when grafted on Freedom compared to Salt Creek. There were few effects of applied water amounts or rootstocks on berry composition in either year. Total berry skin anthocyanin content of Zinfandel was consistently greater with SDI compared to RDI, and greater with Freedom in the second year of the study. The tri-hydroxylated anthocyanin proportion of Zinfandel was consistently greater with Freedom rootstock. The RDI treatments reduced water foot print of Zinfandel regardless of rootstock, but the decrease in yield associated with it was commercially unacceptable. Our results suggest that SDI in combination with Freedom rootstock has the ability to enhance water productivity based on limited reductions in yield, higher anthocyanin content in berry skin in a resource limited area.
- ©2015 by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture
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