Correlation and Regression Analyses of Cold Hardiness, Air Temperatures, and Water Content of Concord Grapevines

Abstract

Cold hardiness and water content were measured regularly on one-year-old cane cuttings of bearing Concord grapevines in East Lansing, Michigan from Sept 1998 to April 1999 and Jan to April of 2000. Daily ambient temperatures were recorded by an automatic agricultural weather station. Single and multiple linear correlations and regressions were conducted among cold hardiness, tissue water content, and ambient temperatures during the fall/winter season. Research showed water content and ambient air temperatures were closely correlated with cane hardiness; closeness of a specific relationship varied with the time of the winter period evaluated; and the impact of the temperature response appeared to be mediated through its influence on tissue water content.