Influence of water scarcity on macronutrients contents in young leaves of wine grape cultivars

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the variability of plant nutrition content in two-year old local and well-known wine grape cultivars under different water constraint scenarios. Own rooted and potted eight grapevine cultivars (cv. 'Adakarasl', 'Papazkarasl', 'Karasaklz', 'Karalahana', 'Yaplncak', 'Vasilaki', 'Cabernet Sauvignon' and 'Sauvignon Blanc') were subjected to five irrigation treatments (100% daily irrigation of available water capacity (AWC), 75% irrigation of AWC, 50% irrigation of AWC, 25% irrigation of AWC, and no irrigation for 0% treatment) for two consecutive years during vegetative growth (May - late September). An increase in nitrogen, potassium and magnesium contents in leaf tissues with decreasing water amount was observed. Similar effect was found for phosphorus and calcium contents. The sulfur concentration in leaf tissues remained almost unchanged. In addition, the variability of genetic potential influenced the nutrient intake of the studied cultivars. The ability of grapevine cultivars to cope with the water deficit of the cultivars should definitely be assessed in adaptation strategies developed to make viticulture sustainable under the effects of the climate crisis.