Cold Acclimation of Concord Grapevines. II. Natural Acclimation Pattern and Tissue Moisture Decline in Canes and Primary Buds of Bearing Vines

Abstract

Cold acclimation of cane and primary bud tissues of mature Concord grapevines (Vitis labruscana Bailey) was monitored under field conditions for two years, 1980 and 1981. Hardiness increased in a nearly linear fashion from early August until mid-November, except for primary buds in 1981, in which case a four-week plateau was observed. Greatest reductions in tissue water content occurred during the early portion of acclimation, through about mid-September. Basal cane and primary bud tissues acclimated earlier than apical tissues and an inverse relationship between hardiness and water content was noted. Most differences in water content and hardiness among node positions were not significant after mid-to late September in both years.