EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF FLUORIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF GRAPE VINE (VITIS VINIFERA L.): FOLIAR FLUORIDE ACCUMULATION IN RELATION TO AMBIENT CONCENTRATION AND WIND SPEED

Abstract

Three cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. (Chardonnay, Gordo and Traminer) were exposed to ambient gaseous fluoride concentrations of 0.37 to 6.0 μg F m−3 for 60 to 159 d during four successive growing seasons. In two growing seasons plants were fumigated for either 4 or 24 h d−1. The rate of accumulation of fluoride by leaves of each variety was independent of the presence or absence of visible injury. Within the range of conditions tested, fluoride accumulation was best described as the product of an accumulation coefficient characteristic of the variety, ambient fluoride concentration, duration of exposure, and wind speed at the top of the plant canopy. Leaves exposed to fluoride for 4 h d−1 accumulated fluoride more rapidly with respect to the dose (ambient concentration × exposure time) than did leaves exposed for 24 h d−1. The application of the findings to the study of fluoride accumulation in the field is discussed. Copyright © 1984, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved