Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-21000-055-006-G
Project Type: Grant
Start Date: Aug 1, 2019
End Date: Oct 31, 2023
Objective:
1. Determine the acclimation potential of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines during heat stress;
2. Test the potential of a novel mist-type evaporative cooling system to mitigate heat stress, and quantify its impact on fruit and wine composition.
Approach:
We will conduct a series of controlled environment experiments to determine if and how temperature acclimation helps grapevines cope with heat stress. Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines will be grown in pots outdoors. The vines will be moved to environmentally controlled growth chambers to determine the effect of acclimation temperature on their response to subsequent heat stress. The pots will be insulated to minimize temperature effects on the roots.
We will install a novel mist-type evaporative cooling system (MECS) in a deficit-
irrigated Cabernet Sauvignon block. The MECS will be compared to an untreated control. Each experimental unit will consist of 60 vines in four rows, replicated three times. We will test the impact of the MECS on vine growth, physiology, and productivity. Shoot length, pruning weight, and yield components will be determined. During a heat wave, leaf water potential and gas exchange will be measured. Sunburn, powdery mildew and bunch rot incidence, and berry
splitting will be quantified.
