RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Vine and Berry Response of Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) to Differential Water Stress JF American Journal of Enology and Viticulture JO Am J Enol Vitic. FD American Society for Enology and Viticulture SP 514 OP 518 DO 10.5344/ajev.2006.57.4.514 VO 57 IS 4 A1 Krista C. Shellie YR 2006 UL http://www.ajevonline.org/content/57/4/514.abstract AB Merlot vines were drip-irrigated with 100, 70, or 35% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) or 35% ETc until veraison followed by 70% ETc until harvest. Midday leaf water potential (Ψ) differed among irrigation regimes and ranged from −0.9 to −1.7 MPa, with a 0.3 to 0.5 MPa difference between 35 and 100% ETc. Decline in shoot growth, berry size, cluster weight, yield, trunk growth, cluster number, and berry titratable acidity corresponded with a decline in Ψ. Increasing irrigation from 35 to 70% ETc at veraison consumed 30% less water producing similar yield and quality as the 70% ETc treatment.