Water Requirements of Grafted Grape Vines under Desert Land Conditions

Transcription

1 Journal of Horticultural Science & Ornamental Plants 4 (3): , 2012 ISSN IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: /idosi.jhsop Water Requirements of Grafted Grape Vines uer Desert La Coitions Rafaat S.S. El Gey Department of Vitic. Hort. Res. Init., Agric. Center, Giza, Egypt Abract: This inveigation was coucted during three consecutive years (2009, 2010 a 2011) using Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock on six - year old grown in a say soil a supported by the Gable syem. Diances were 2 m between vines a 3 m between rows uer drip irrigation syem with two lateral lines per row a two 4 L/h emitter per vine a use valve regulates water amount to attain irrigation treatment. The vines were cane-pruned to 72 buds per vine (6 canes x 12 buds / cane). The udy included four levels of irrigation water (0.6, 0.8, 1.0 a 1.2 of Et 0). General tre, iicate that bud bur percentage decreased gradually by increasing water discharge of irrigation treatment; the greate values were resulted from 0.6 followed by 0.8 ET. Whereas, there was a gradual increase in fruitful buds percentage as the amount of applied water increased from 0.6 to 1.2 ET. Also, the results of the two seasons iicated that the total leaf area per vine was negatively affected with water ress. While, water amount exceeding the 1.0 ET did not result in further wood ripping increased, while water application amount less than 1.0 ET resulted in significant reduction in wood ripening. Fluctuation in the average monthly soil temperature at 20 cm depth of surface soil result iicated that, high irrigation rate (1.2 ET) resulted the lowe average soil, temperature followed by adequate irrigation 1.0 ET. Soil moiure decreased horizontally a vertically with decreasing irrigation rate. While root density increased where soil moiure accumulated Depth of the roots a their diribution in the soil profile uer different water regimes 1.2 ET treatment recorded the highe values of roots being almo in the horizontal as well as in the vertical direction. In this area, the greate amount of roots was observed within the 50 cm diance from the vine trunk a the 30 cm depth of soil surface. The highe values of number of cluer, yield, cluer weight, berry size, berry shattering a acidity were fou with 1.2 ET treatment, while, berry firmness, berry adherence a TSS, TSS / acid were the highe with 0.6 ET. The concentrations of N, P, K, in the leaf tissues a total carbohydrate in the canes increased with increasing irrigation levels while decreasing irrigation levels increased content of proline during the two udied seasons. Regarding the effect of different irrigation levels on the physiological aspects, the obtained data showed that, uer severe water ress the leaf relative turgidity decreased, whereas, hard leaf character was increased with increasing the soil water shortage. Connecting the previous results with water used efficiency it was fou that 1.0 ET irrigation rate recorded the highe water efficiency which means less water a better yield. Moreover, data mention that, period from veraison to harve berry development is very critical period of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock which recorded high consumed about 49.15% of the total water consumptive use. Concerning the effect of irrigation treatment on eogenous plant hormones in buds data iicated that, maximum increased in hormone content (IAA, GA 3 a Cytokinin) was obtained by increasing irrigation levels 1.0 ET to 1.2 ET. Absisic acid (ABA) recorded the reverse tre. Low irrigation markedly raised the concentration of ABA in buds. It is generally recommeed that irrigation of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock should be maintained at 1.0 ET for economical yield a improved fruit quality uer the same circumances. Key words: Irrigation Grape Grafting Freedom Superior seedless Correspoing Author: Rafaat, S.S. ElGey, Department of Vitic. Hort. Res. Init., Agric. Center, Giza, Egypt. 345

2 INTRODUCTION [13]. In this respect, Ferreyra et al. [14], disclosed that different irrigation water amounts were applied, between The role of irrigation in viticulture is considered 40 a 100% Etc. They mentioned that the table grape both controversial a essential to grape production. yields decreased in comparison with applied water in the Water is a vital component to function of the vine with its range of udied treatments. 60% Etc reriction decreased presence or lack impacting photosynthesis. Moreover, yield in 22%. The cluer a berry weight was reduced the presence of water is essential for the survival of all linearly with duration of water deficit [15]. Moreover, plant life in grapevine, water acts as a universal solvent Messoudi a El-Fellan[16] in their udy on four for many of the nutrients a minerals needed to carry out irrigation regimes (40, 60, 80 a 100 Etc) fou that all important physiological functions [1]. treatments lower than 80% Etc was affecting negatively Rootock utilization has been significantly on cluer weight a berry diameter. Irrigation of increasing in the world. They vary in root diribution grapevines has a significant effect on grape juice a affect scion responses in vigor, yield, fruit quality characteriics such as Brix a titratable acidity a other physiological parameters [2, 3]. Liumi et al. [17] fou that TSS a acidity were In the la few years a va acreage of superior decreased by increasing irrigation level on Chardonnay Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock has been grapes. Meanwhile Gurovich [18] iicated that a being cultivated in the newly reclaimed areas along the reriction equivalent to 75% Etc have a positive effect on desert roads in North a Middle Egypt to imulate its soluble solids content compared with 50% Etc. withaing to unfavorable environmental coitions. Concerning grape behavior orage uer room coition This region depeed on wells in the irrigated which may as (shelf life), Surieer et al. [19] reported that sometimes be insufficient to meet the need of the vines of physiological weight loss a total soluble solids irrigation water a grapevines may be suffering in these increased with orage duration. Meanwhile Adel et al. new areas from water ress that may prevail throughout [20] a El - Shobaky et al. [21] fou that shattering% of the season. Despite these coitions, grape is ill one or Thompson Seedless grape bunch held uer room the major horticultural crops grown in the region. temperature gradually increased with the advance of Although grapevine is traditionally non-irrigated crop orage period. As for the effect of irrigation level on grown in a range of natural environments, grape berry coefficient of wood ripening Peacock [22] reported that composition a vine development are highly depeent mild to moderate water ress may be beneficial by on water atus [4]. Thus recently, vineyards have been opping shoot growth a promoting wood maturity. irrigated with drip irrigation syem in the region. Moreover, El Gey [10] recorded that applied water However, there is a controversy about the positive a amount exceeding the 1.0 ET treatment did not result in negative impacts of irrigation on grapevine quality. It is further increase for ripening wood while water application commonly ated that excessive water application iuces amount less than 1.0 ET gave significant reduction in vegetative growth that causes lower fruit quality wood ripening. Many inveigators reported the including low sugar content a unbalanced acidity of accumulation of free proline as a result of water ress berries [5, 6]. On the contrary, low amount of water [23]. Moreover, leaf content of N, P, K increased by supplement can improve grape quality due to reduction in increasing soil moiure. In this regard Rodriguez a vigor leading to an increase in slight interception in the Garcia, [24] fou that drought negatively affected the cluer zone [7, 8]. Therefore a national use of water in nutrient content of NPK. irrigation in a given environment a cultivar is ill Considering the impact of rates of irrigation on unclear. hormones, Ndung et al. [9] a Shawky et al. [23] Water ress was effective in iucing early bud iicated that increasing water ress significantly break, cluer formation a increasing fruitfulness reduced leaf content of both IAA a GA while a compared to continuously well watered vines [9-11]. considerable increment sin leaf ABA was fou. Moreover Nadal a Lampreave [12] reported that water Water ress caused an inhibition in the amount of water ress decreased leaf area of grapevines. Drought is one accumulated in leaf tissues a this reflects directly the of the mo severe limitations on the yield of sugarcane. efficiency of the biological processes in leaves. Rodrigues This ress iuces various biochemical a et al. [25] detected lower relative water content values as physiological response in plants as a survival mechanism a result of water ressed plants of Rosaki grape. 346

3 Regarding the relationship between root growth a rootock of 6-year-old were grown in a say soil a available soil water Magriso [26], fou that reducing size supported by the Gable syem. Diances were 2 m of root had decreased the size of root syem a leaf between vines a 3 m between rows uer drip irrigation surface area which in turn caused a reduction in water syem with two lateral lines per row a two 4 L/h emitter consumption of four grape varieties grown uer soil per vine a use valve regulates water amount to moiure regimes. attain irrigation treatment. The vines were cane-pruned Therefore, the present udy was coucted to to 72 buds per vine (6 canes x 12 buds / cane). determine water requirement for Superior Seedless cv. The teed vines were nearly the same a grafted on Freedom rootock ( which have spread in subjected to the same horticultural practices. recent years in the desert la coitions) to increase the The work in the fir year was considered as a tolerance to unfavorable environmental coitions preliminary trial a then the experiment proceeded especially drought on growth parameters, yield, fruit with the same manner during the seco a third quality a chemical analysis of leaf mineral content. seasons, respectively. Representative soil samples were taken from the MATERIALS AND METHODS experimental field before initiating the experiment a subjected to the different soil analysis as well as the This inveigation was coucted during three chemical analysis of well irrigation water are shown in consecutive years (2009, 2010 a 2011) in a private Tables 1-3 according to analysis implemented a udies, vineyard located at 84 kilometer of Cairo Alexaria soil, Water a Environment Research Initute according Desert Road. Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom to Chapman a Pratt [27]. Table 1: Chemical properties of the experimental soil (1: 2.5) soil extract Soluble anions (meg/1) Soluble cations (meg/1) Available Depth PH EC ds/m - = HCO 3 Cr SO 4 + Na + K ++ Ca ++ Mg N P K Cu Fe Mn Zn Table 2: Physiological properties of the experimental soil (1 :2.5) soil extract Depth V.C.S% C.S% M.S% F.S% V.F.S% Silt+ Clay% Textural class Sa Sa sa F.C% = 13.7 W.P% = 6.45 Table 3: Some chemical properties of the experimental water (well water) Anions (meg/l) Cations (meg/l) = PH EC mmhos/cm EC (ppm) CO 3 HCO 3 Cl SO 4 Ca Mg Na K Table 4: Monthly crop coefficient (Kc) for grapevine, evapotranspiration (mm/day) values a ETc (mm/day) of different treatments treatments Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Kc Eto mm/day Etcmm/day

4 Table 4: Monthly crop coefficient (Kc) for grapevine, evapotranspiration (mm/day) values a ETc (mm/day) of different treatments treatments Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Kc Eto mm/day Etcmm/day Table 5: Daily a monthly water requirements (m /fed) of different irrigation treatments for Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock grapevine in new las Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Treat. D M D M D M D M D M D M D M D M D M D M D M D M 0.6ET ET ET ET Table 6: Monthly water requirements (L/vine/day) of drip irrigation syem of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock grapevine in new las Months Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1.2 ET ET ET ET Table 7: Seasonal crop water requirements (m /fed) a seasonal water consumptive use (m /fed) for Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock in new la in Egypt Treatments 3 Seasonal crop water requirements (m /fed) 3 Seasonal water consumptive use (m /fed) 0.6 ET ET ET ET The Experimental Design: Four treatments of irrigation Irrigation levels were 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 a 1.2 times were arranged in a complete raomized design with three potential evapotranspiration as 1.0 ET is considered replicates. The collected data confirmed the high as on equivalent to 100% replacement of the efficiency of the irrigation syem in this vineyard. exacted non ressed evapotranspiration for Data related to macro climate of the vineyard way grapevines. Daily a monthly water requirements analyzed, mean night a day temperature, rate of 3 (m / Fed) of different irrigation treatment recorded in evapotranspiration in the soil, humidity a wi-speed Table 5. were obtained from Central laboratory for Agriculture While monthly water requirements (L / vine / day) of climate (CLAC), El-Giza, Egypt. drip irrigation syem of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Water requirements for grapevines were calculated by Freedom rootock grapevine in new las are given in using equation as follows, Table 6. 3 Water consumptive use m / Fed were eimated by (WR) Water Requirement = ETo x Kc x IE 3 dividing seasonal crop water requirements m / Fed on IE presented in Table 7. Eto: Daily reference evapotranspiration (mm / day) as The considered treatments were evaluated through shown in Table 4 can be calculated from the actual the following eimations: temperature, humidity, sunshine radiation a wi speed, data, according to the FAO penman-monteith Bud Behavior Measurements: method [28]. Bud bur percentage was calculated according to the Kc: Crop coefficient values were taken from FAO [28] as following equation: shown in Table 4. Bud bur%: calculated by dividing number of bured buds by buds load per vine x 100 IE: Irrigation efficiency or water consumptive use (85% of Fruitful buds% : number of fruitful buds per vine / crop water requirements for drip irrigation syem). number of bured buds per vine x

5 The Vegetative Growth: Five current season fruiting Determinations of Proline Content: Proline content was shoots per vine were labeled shortly after growth colorimetrically eimated in fresh samples of the middle commencement to be measured at monthly intervals for leaves according to Bates [35]. determining growth rate (SGR) as well as the total surface 2 area of the leaves per vine (m / vine) which was Physiological udies determined as follows: The mean leaf area multiplied by Determinations of Leaf Relative Turgidity (L.R.T.): the number of leaves / shoot by number of shoots per Equal leaf disces (1 cm) were cut from mature leaves, vine using leaf area meter, Model CI203, U.S.A. weighed to give the fresh weight, floated in water for Coefficient of wood ripening: was calculated by 24 hours until they attained an equilibrium, reweighed dividing length of the ripened part of the cane by the total (turgidity weight) a finally oven dried at 70 C for length of the cane [29]. 24 hours to reach a conant weight (L.R.T.) a calculated using the following formula according to Yield a Berry Characteriics: Ritche [36]. Number of cluers per vine, yield per vine (kg) a average cluer weight (g). L.R.T. = turgid wt.-fresh wt. / turgid wt.-dry wt. x Average berry weight (g), berry size (cm ), berry 2 firmness (g / cm ), berry adherence rength (g) by Determinations of Hard Leaf Character (H.L.C.): Hard using Shatilan's inrument. leaf character (H.L.C.) was determined according to Shattering percentage was determined on cluers Youssef [37] using the following formula: ored for seven days at room temperature (28 to 30 C) shattering percentage was calculated by dividing weight of shattered berries by the initial 2 H.L.C. = dry weight of leaf (g) / leaf area (cm ) weight of the cluer. Root Diribution: Soil samples were collected using an Berry Juice Measurements: auger from four directions at 50 a 100 cm from the vine Total soluble solids percentage (TSS) using a ha trunk a from depths of 0-30 a cm. Root were refractometer. classified into fine roots (less that 2 mm) in diameter, Titratable acidity percentage according to [30]. medium roots (2-6 mm) a large roots (more than 6 mm) Total soluble solids / acid ratio (TSS / Acid). length was recorded for each sample Bohm [38]. Moreover, soil temperature through the 30 cm below the Chemical Analysis: soil surface (where mo of the root syem is located) Petioles samples in front of the cluer were taken was recorded daily by using 25 cm long sensor from the fully matured leaves at full bloom, which for thermometer. each growing season a washed with tap water followed by diilled water then oven dried at 70 C Soil Moiure Determination: The soil samples for 48 hours, dried samples were digeed according accompanied to roots at different diances a depths to the method of Jackson [31]. were immediately transferred in tightly closed aluminum cans to the laboratory where they were weighed, dried in Determinations of Some Nutrients: oven at 105 C for 24 hours then reweighed a their Nitrogen content (%) was determined by the modified moiure content were determined according to Garcia micro Kjeldahl method as described by Naguib [32]. [39]. Phosphorous content (%) was determined colorimetrically eimated according to the Official Acidic Hormones: Acidic hormones gibberellins (GA 3), Methods of Analysis [30]. Iole acetic acid (IAA), Cytokinin a Absisic acid Potassium content (%) was eimated by using flame (ABA) were determined in buds at the time of dormancy photometer as described by Jackson [33]. (1 week of January) following the method outlined by Shiy a Smith [40]. Determinations of Total Carbohydrates in the Canes: Total carbohydrates in the canes were determined using Irrigation Measurement: phenol sulphuric acid method described by Smith et al. Consumptive use percentage for the different growth [34]. ages of vine 349

6 After calculating the consumptive use of the whole [9, 11, 43, 44] reported that water ress was effective in season (from February till October), the grapevine iucing early bud break compared to continuously well growing seasons were divided to four separate ages. watered vines.data is ha iicated that bud bur Stage 1: bud break to flowering, age 2 covers the period percentage decreased gradually by increasing water from bloom to veraison, age 3 is the ripening phase discharge of irrigation treatments; the greate values a covers the period of veraison to harve a age resulted from 0.6 ET followed by 0.8 ET, 1.0 ET a 1.2 ET, 4 covers po harve to dormancy. Eimation of the respectively. consumptive use percentage separately for every age was recorded for the growing seasons. Fruitful Buds: Data in Table 8 represent the percentage of fruitful buds in relation to the percentage of fruitful buds. Water use efficiency (WUE) In dealing with the differences between the irrigation treatments, it was fou that irrigation treatment 1.2 ET Water use efficiency was calculated according to produced the highe fruitful buds percentage followed Viets [41]. by 1.0, ET respectively. It is clear from the same Table that the lowe percentages were attained by 0.6 ET a 0.8 WUE = Y / WU ET, respectively. Therefore, it could by ated that, there 3 WUE: water use efficiency (Kg / m ) was a gradual increase in fruitful buds percentage that Y : yield (K / fed) could be maximized by application of amounts greater 3 WU: consumptive use (m / season). than full irrigation treatment (1.0 ET). This can be explained when rates increase irrigation efficiency rises of Statiical Analysis: The obtained data were subjected to root syem absorb elements from the soil during the atiical analysis of variance according to Snedecor a growing season a composition of carbohydrates which Cochran [42] means were compared using the New LSD have a role in fertility buds. values at 5% level. These results, as a general tre, are in agreement with fou by prior udies [10, 11, 44]. They reported RESULTS AND DISCUSSION that, gradual increase in fruitful bud percentage of grapevine was in parallel with increasing the irrigation Effect of Irrigation Treatments on Bud Behavior of rate. Superior Seedless Cv. Grafted on Freedom Rootock Bud Bur Percentage: Concerning the effect of irrigation Effect of Irrigation Treatments on Canopy Measurements treatments on the bud bur percentage of Superior of Superior Seedless cv. Grafted Freedom Rootock: Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock cultivar during Shoot Growth Rate (SGR): It can be observed from data 2010 a 2011 seasons, it can be noticed from Table 8 of Fig. 1 that the growth rate of current shoots (SGR) was that the highe recorded percentage were irrigation extremely high through the fir period of growth from treatments at 0.6 ET a 0.8 ET a it were significantly th th March 10 up to April 10 during the two udied higher when it compared to either 1.0 ET or 1.2 ET. seasons, followed by a sharp decrease during the seco However, applied water amount exceeding the full ET i.e th th period from April 10 up to May 10. This decrease 1.2 ET gave the lea significant percentage especially continued till it reached its minimal value at the final during the 2 season. In this regard previous udies th th period from Augu 10 up to September 10. It is Table 8: Effect of different irrigation treatments on bud behavior of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock during 2010 a 2011 seasons 1 season 2 season Treatments Bud bur% Fruitful bud% Bud bur% Fruitful bud% 0.6 ET ET ET ET New LSD

7 Fig. 1: Effect of irrigation treatments on shoot growth rate (%) (SGR) of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock during 2010 a 2011 seasons noteworthy that, the sharp decrease in shoot growth rate These results, as a general tre, are in agreement that was observed during the seco period was with the conclusion given by Pire a Ojeda [47] who coincided with the approach of blooming time a fruit fou that vegetative growth was rericted by the set. The results are in accordance with those of Weaver lowe level of water application particularly with drip [45] who mentioned that (SGR) begins to slow down by irrigation on grapevine. On this way, Vallone et al. [48] bloom time, while Kliewer [46] fou that the decreased from their udies for (Vitis vinifera, L), iicated that, value of (SGR) was due to the cluer consumption of shoot growth rate was reduced by water deficit by 20% carbohydrate. a 30% during fruit set to veraison a from veraison Concerning the effect of different irrigation treatments to harve. on shoot growth rate (SGR) the data disclosed that all irrigation treatments increased shoot growth rate of this 2 Total Leaf Surface Area per Vine (m ): Data in Table 9 cultivar There was a gradual increase in this parameter illurate the effect of the different irrigation treatments on along the growing season (mid March up to mid the total leaf surface area per vine of Superior Seedless cv. September). In addition, the periodical increase in shoot grafted on Freedom rootock. The atiical analysis growth rate was faer a greater by raising the amount appeared that increasing irrigation water through the two of irrigation water from 0.6 ET to 1.2 ET, since the shoot seasons of the udy results in an obvious increase in the growth rate (SGR) of vines subjected to the 1.2 ET a total leaf surface area per vine. The ameliorative effect of 1.0 ET irrigation treatment was enhanced than those the highe rate irrigation (1.2 ET a 1.0 ET) on this obtained from vine irrigated with 0.6 ET a 0.8 ET. parameter could be attributed to high efficiency of the In other words, the reduction in shoot growth rate root syem in absorbing a transporting the water a resulting from irrigation at 0.6 ET a 0.8 ET compared to mineral via to the leaves. However, it was fou that 1.0 ET a 1.2 ET in 1 a 2 seasons. Therefore, these irrigation treatment at 1.2 ET produced the highe results iicated that water application at amounts lower value of this parameter in both seasons uer udy. than 1.0 ET exhibited an inhibitory effect on shoot growth Reversely, the lea value of the total leaf surface area rate (SGR). per vine was for the lowe irrigation treatment 0.6 ET 351

8 Table 9: J. Hort. Sci. & Ornamen. Plants, 4 (3): , Effect of irrigation treatments on total leaf surface area / vine (m ) a wood ripening coefficient of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock during 2010 a season 2 season Treatments 2 Leaf surface area / vine (m ) Wood ripening coefficient 2 Leaf surface area / vine (m ) Wood ripening coefficient 0.6 ET ET ET ET New LSD followed by 0.8 ET. Also, the differences between 1.0 ET Effect of Irrigation Treatments on Root Growth a 0.8 ET were atiically confirmed as the farmer was Measurements of Superior Seedless cv. Grafted on more effective than the later. Freedom Rootock Likewise, Shishkanu et al. [49] reported that the Fine Roots (Root less than 2 mm in Diameter): decrease in soil moiure level from 70% to 35% of the The effect of irrigation treatments (1.2, 1.0, 0.8 a field capacity generally resulted in a marked decrease 0.6 ET) on the average length of fine roots (< 2mm) in leaf area on Pina Noir a Sauvignon grapevines. assessed at two diance from the vine trunk (50 a Merino et al. [50] reported that increasing irrigation 100 cm) a at two depths through the soil profile increased total leaf area of Chardonnay vines. (0-30 a cm) are presented in Figs. 2 a 3. Moreover, Nadal a Lampereave[12] a Behairy [44] In general, irrigation increased root growth expressed reported that water ress decreased leaf area on as roots length. The increase in root length was grapevine. proportional to the increase in the amount of applied water. Thus maximum increase in the fine roots Wood Ripening Coefficient: Concerning the influence of length was obtained from irrigation at 1.2 ET. It was irrigation rate on wood ripening coefficient of Superior also remarkable that length of fine roots was higher Seedless scion, the obtained results in Table 9 show that, for vines irrigated at full ET (1.0 ET) than those wood ripening coefficient decreased by increasing subjected to irrigation at 0.8 ET or 0.6 ET as the later irrigation water a there was a significant difference produced the shorte roots. between highe irrigation rate 1.2 ET a lowe Moreover, the horizontal extension of fine roots irrigation rate 0.6 ET, this holds true in both growing was more concentrated at the diance of 50 cm from seasons. Nevertheless, both 1.0 ET a 1.2 ET the vine trunk than those exteed to the diance of treatments reflected nearly the same effect on wood 100 cm from vine trunk. Furthermore, the effect of ripening. In other words, it can be conclude that irrigation at 1.2 ET followed by 1.0 ET was superior in applied water amount exceeding the 1.0 ET treatments producing higher fine roots density at the diance (full ET) did not result in further ripening increased, while of 50 cm while the effect of 0.6 ET had the water application amount less than 1.0 ET resulted in lowe density either at 50 cm or 100 cm from vine significant reduction in wood ripening for both trunk. seasons, uer this udy. This fiing reflect the In addition, the obtained data disclosed that fine importance of water, management in adequate manner roots extension through the vertical direction was also as one of the major factors affecting the development affected by irrigation treatments. Regardless of irrigation of wood ripening which reflect directly on producing treatments, it was fou that density expressed as the good ripened canes or spurs which in turn will keep the length of fine roots was higher at 0-30 cm depth than productively a fruit quality advantages. those fou at cm depth in the soil profile. Taking The results obtained by Peacock [22] who reported the effect of irrigation treatments into consideration, it is that mild to moderate water ress may be beneficial by quite clear that low irrigation treatments (0.8 ET a 0.6 opping shoot growth a promoting maturity. ET) depressed fine roots formation a produced the Moreover, El-Gey [10] a Behairy [44] mentioned that shorter fine roots especially irrigation at 0.6 ET, while coefficient of wood ripening in Thompson Seedless a irrigation either at 1.0 ET or 1.2 ET imulated the Flame Seedless grapevines decreased by increasing formation of fine roots. These results held true during irrigation water. both seasons of this udy. 352

9 Fig. 2: Effect of irrigation treatments on average length of roots at different diances of vine trunk of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock during 2010 a 2011 seasons. Fig 3: Effect of irrigation treatments on average length (cm) of roots at different depths of soil of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock during 2010 a 2011 seasons 353

10 Fig. 4: Effect of irrigation treatments on average monthly soil temperature at 30 cm depth of surface soil during 2010 a 2011 seasons Medium Roots (Roots 2-6 mm in Diameter): Data in Figs. 2 a 3 showed a gradual increment was fou as irrigation amount which increased from 0.6 ET to 1.0 ET. The highe values were resulted from irrigation at 1.2 ET a the lowe ones obtained from 0.6 ET, while full irrigation (1.0 ET) a 0.8 ET treatments rated in-between. Also, it is noticeable that the positive effect due to irrigation treatments was considerably higher when the effect of diance from vine trunk or the depth in soil profile was considered. Moreover, the data showed an obvious increase in medium roots either at 50 cm diance or at 0-30 cm soil depth. The growth of medium was roots reduced by increasing the diance more than 50 cm from vine trunk or the depth more than 30 cm from the soil surface. Large Roots (Roots More than 6 mm in Diameter): The horizontal a vertical extension of large roots as affected by irrigation treatments are presented in Figs. 2 a 3. Generally, results of large roots had a tre similar to that previously mentioned with fine a medium roots. Since the diribution of large roots was linearly increased by increasing irrigation water as well as decreasing the diances from vine trunk or soil surface. These fiings were previously supported by some researchers [10, 11, 51]. They recorded that, the bulk of the roots are usually concentrated in the upper soil layer a irrigation improved roots syem development. Adequately watered grapevines exhibited the highe values of roots being almo in the horizontal, as well as in the vertical direction. In this concern, the greate amount of roots was observed within the 0.5 m diance from the vine trunk a the 0.3 m depth of soil surface. Effect of Irrigation Treatments on Soil Temperature: Fig. 4 presents fluctuations in the average monthly soil temperature at 20 cm depth of surface soil. Results iicated that the highe average soil temperature occurred in the period from May to September in the fir a seco season. The lowe temperature was recorded from December to March in the fir a from December to February in the seco season. Concerning the effect of irrigation treatments, results showed that, high irrigation rate (1.2 ET) resulted in the lowe average soil temperature followed by adequate irrigation (1.0 ET) than other irrigation treatments. Nevertheless the highe average of soil temperature was attributed to reducing water application at (0.6 ET) or (0.8 ET). These results are 354

11 Table 10: Effect of irrigation treatments on soil moiure diribution at different diances a depths of soil during 2011 seasons Diances (cm)of vine trunk Depth (cm) Treatments (0-50 cm) ( cm) (0-30 cm) (30-60 cm) 0.6 ET ET ET ET New LSD in agreement with the fiings of Tamasi [52] who ated Generally, these results clearly illurated that, root that the rate of growth roots depeed moly on syem diribution decreased with increasing the environmental coitions due to soil water depletion a diance from the trunk a with the depth from the soil rising soil temperature. However, the root temperature of surface. In other words, root density increase where soil Thompson Seedless mo favorable for maximum growth moiure accumulated. was about 86 F [53]. In this respect, Fukui et al. [54] However, many other inveigators revealed that, soil recorded that, the optimum soil temperature for moiure diribution was uniform uer drip irrigation development of root syem on apple trees was C. a decreased as by increasing the depth a diance On the contrary, when the temperature of the soil exceeds emitter. Kulinich [55] fou that, in grapevines root mass 32 C root growth ops [52]. Therefore, one can say that a root penetration were always greater on irrigated than when irrigation rate was increased from 1.0 ET to 1.2 ET it on non-irrigated plots. The be results being on plots led to a reduction in temperature of the soil, which maintained at 70-80% of field capacity by drip irrigation resulted in the creation of root growth a this is properly delivered at a depth of cm by vertical filter tubes. On illurated Figs.2 a 3. those plots, the main root mass was fou at a depth of cm. furthermore, Magriso [26] fou that, reducing Effect of Irrigation Treatment on Soil Moiure: size of the root had decreased the size of root syem a Data presented in Table 10 showed a significant decrease caused a reduction in water consumption [56]. in soil moiure parallel to the decrease in irrigation rate at different diances (50 a 100 cm) from the vine trunk Effect of Irrigation Treatments on Yield / Vine a Fruit as well as at different depths (0 a 30), (30 a 60 cm) Quality of Superior Seedless cv. Grafted on Freedom from the soil surface. At diance from the vine trunk Rootock iuced the highe soil moiure diribution Number of Cluer / Vine, Cluer Weight, Yield / Vine horizontally a vertically especially at optimum a a Yield / Feddan (kg): Data shown in Fig. 5 iicate moderate irrigation rates (1.2 ET a 1.0 ET) respectively. that average number of cluer / vine increased linearly While uer low rate irrigation (0.6 ET a 0.8 ET) with increasing the rate of irrigation water a the highe resulted in an obvious depression in soil moiure. number was recorded for vines subjected to 1.2 ET Moreover, the horizontal extension of soil moiure was irrigation treatments, but the lowe one was for those more concentrated at the diance of 50 cm from the vine treated with 0.6 ET, while full ET a 0.8 ET rated trunk than those exteed to the diance of 100 cm from in-between. Given schedule 8 fruitful buds, it can be said the trunk. that, there was a positive linear relationship between In addition the obtained data disclosed that soil irrigation treatments a their effect on fruitful buds moiure extension through the vertical direction was whereas increasing treatment of applied water from 0.6 ET also affected by irrigation treatments. Regardless up to 1.2 ET a thus led to the increase in the number of irrigation treatment, it was fou that density expressed cluers. as the soil moiure was significantly higher at 0-30 cm Concerning the influence of irrigation rate on average depth than those fou at cm depth in soil profile. cluer weight, yield / vine a yield / feddan of Superior Therefore it could be concluded that soil moiure Seedless cv. Grafted on Freedom rootock throughout concentrated at the soil surface layer (0-30 cm) a the two udied seasons. Data in Fig. 5 declare that cluer arou the trunk (50 cm) especially at 1.2 ET a 1.0 ET, weight, yield / vine a yield / feddan increased by respectively. increasing irrigation rate. A progressive increase in 355

12 Fig. 5: Effect of irrigation treatments on number of cluer, cluer weight, yield / vine a yield / feddan / ton of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock during 2010 a 2011 seasons cluer weight, yield / vine a per feddan was fou The increase of cluer weight a yield observed in when amount of irrigation water increased reaching the irrigation treatments can be interpreted in view of the fact greate with irrigation at 1.2 ET. On the contrary, cluer that these treatments led to the increase in photosynthetic weight a yield was remarkably reduced at the lowe activity for leaves. As a consequently, of that, irrigation rate (0.6 ET). Anyhow, it can be concluded that, immigration of assimilates from leaves towards cluer is the cluer weight a yield for vine received 1.2 ET a enhanced. Moreover, irrigation increased root diribution 1.0 ET irrigation water were heavier compared to vines in the horizontal, as well as in the vertical direction a subjected to 0.8 ET or 0.6 ET, respectively. increase roots length a the wetted root zone was the These results are in conformity with the fiings of large. At this atus capability of the vine to uptake soil Gurovich [18] on irrigation scheduling of table grapes water as fa. Hence, rate of uptake nutrient increased. uer drip irrigation. He mentioned that for 75% Et c treatment, cluer weight was larger than that produced on Effect of Irrigation Treatments on Physical a Chemical the 50% Et c treatment a it was a positive effect on berry Characteriics of Berries of Superior Seedless cv. weight a diameter. Moreover, Ferreyra et al. [14] Grafted on Freedom Rootock disclosed that different irrigation water amounts were Berry Characteriics: Data shown in Table 11 for 2010 applied, between 40 a 100% crop evapotranspiration a 2011 seasons iicate that vines had significantly (Et c ). They fou that grapevine yield was increased as greater fresh weight of berry when they were irrigated the irrigation water rates increased. at 1.2 ET in the 1 a 2 seasons followed by those 356

13 Table 11: Effect of irrigation treatments on physical a chemical characteriics of berries of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock during 2010 a 2011 seasons Berry Berry Berry Berry Berry TSS Acidity TSS/ Treatments weight (g) size (cm ) firmness (g/cm ) adherence (g/cm ) shattering (%) (%) (%) acid ratio season ET ET ET ET season ET ET ET ET New LSD 1 season season irrigated by 1.0 ET. While vines subjected to 0.6 ET These results seemed to be in harmony with results iuced the lea significant values for the two udied mentioned by other researchers [10, 11, 44] who fou seasons. This result is in harmony with that mentioned by that reducing water application increased berry firmness Gurovich [18] who iicated that the weight of berry was a berry adherence rength. influenced in a positive correlation when 0.75 Et c was applied by trickle irrigation particularly when compared Berry Shattering: The effect of irrigation treatments on with 50% Et c. berry shattering percentage after seven days from harve Also, similar tre could be noticed on the effect of of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock are irrigation treatments on berry size of Superior shown in Table 11. Irrigation treatments as compared with Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock. Whereas each other's showed that the treatment lower than 1.0 ET raising the amount of irrigation water from 0.6 ET to resulted in the lowe berry shattering percentage during 1.2 ET progressively increased water accumulation 1 a 2 seasons while treatment higher than 1.0 ET in berry tissues which in turn produced large produced highe percentage. The treatment of 1.0 ET had berries. However, it reflect bad effect of limited water the intermediate effect. application, especially when lower than full ET, on The current results agreed with those reported by berry weight a size, consequently cluer weight as Berry a Aked [57] who reported that after orage well as total yield. In this respect, El- Gey [10] a Thompson Seedless grape for 6 days at room temperature Behairy [44] revealed that, increasing irrigation rate loss dehydration a berry shatter were the main causes resulted in an obvious increase in berry size, especially of quality loss at this age. with higher rate. Chemical Characteriics of Berries Concerning the effect of irrigation treatment on berry Total Soluble Solids (TSS): The effect of irrigation on 3 firmness (gm / cm ) data iicated atiically significant soluble solids content of berry juice of Superior Seedless decrease in berry firmness associated with increase cv. grafted on Freedom rootock is shown in Table 11. irrigation water during both seasons. The highe increase Generally, it can be observed that there were significant in this parameter was obtained from the lowe irrigation differences between all treatments in this respect. rate (0.6 ET) followed by (0.8 ET) then the highe However, TSS increased significantly with decreasing the irrigation treatment 1.2 ET. In other words, there was a irrigation rate. In other words, results revealed that vines general decrease in berry firmness as applied water treated with the low irrigation level (0.6 ET) had the amount increased from 0.6 ET to 1.2 ET. highe TSS content followed by those treated with 0.8 As for berry adherence rength, it was negatively ET. It can be also noticed that there were no significant affected by increasing the irrigation water. Statiically differences between the two treatments received low irrigation at low rate 0.6 ET showed highe significant irrigation rate (0.6 ET a 0.8 ET) compared with the other values in this parameter than the other irrigation treatments. Meanwhile, the lowe berry TSS was treatments in two seasons. obtained with irrigation at the high level irrigation (1.2 ET) 357

14 while 1.0 ET treatments rated in-between in their effects. This holds true in both seasons uer udy. Therefore we can say that when was reduced the irrigation rates before the harve they can cause an increase total soluble solids of berries. Similar results were observed by Liumi et al. [17] who inveigated the effect of different levels of irrigation on chardonnay grapes. They fou that TSS was decreased by increasing irrigation level. Moreover, Volachavic [58] reported that irrigation decreased the sugar production. Total Acidity: Data of the two udied seasons Table 11 proved that the total titratable acidity was significantly affected by irrigation treatment. On the contrary of TSS content, total acidity% expressed as tartaric acid was high in cluer received high irrigation rate (1.2 ET) compared to full ET (1.0 ET) or low irrigation rate (0.6 ET a 0.8 ET). It means that the accumulation of tartaric acid in berry juice was associated with increasing irrigation water. It is clear that the highe significant value was for the high irrigation rate (1.2 ET), whereas 0.6 ET or 0.8 ET irrigation treatment had the lea significant value but the differences were not significant. In this respect full ET (1.0 ET) the data showed more pronounced in this parameter over the treatment low rate irrigation in both seasons of inveigation. This result seemed to be in harmony with those mentioned by Messaoudi a El-Fellah [16] who fou that water deficit had a negative effect on titratable acidity decrease while soluble solids content (SSC) increased. Moreover, Shellie [59] mentioned that fruit harveed from high water ress plots had lower titratable acidity than vines from low water ress plots. Effect of Irrigation Treatments on Some Physical Properties of Leaves of Superior Seedless cv. Grafted on Freedom Rootock Leaf Relative Turgidity (LRT): Data concerning leaf relative turgidity as affected by irrigation treatments are presented in Fig. 6. Leaf relative turgidity decreased as irrigation rate were decreased. In this respect, reducing the amount of applied water from 1.2 ET to 0.6 ET the turgidity in leaves reduced during in both seasons. In other words, leaf relative turgidity was increased when irrigation water was raised from 0.6 ET, 0.8 ET, 1.0 ET a 1.2 ET, respectively. Thus, it could be poulated that water ress caused an inhibition effect on the amount of water accumulated in leaf tissues a this reflects directly the efficiency of the biological processes in leaves which in turn reduce leaf expansion as well as leaf dry matter. These results are nearly in the same line with those obtained by El Gey [10] a Ali a Abd-El Monien [11]. They revealed lower relative water content (turgidity) values as a result of water ress. Total Soluble Solids / Acid Ratio: Response of TSS / acid ratio to the different irrigation treatments as represented in Table 11 show almo similar tre to that obtained with TSS where the highe values were attributed to the lowe irrigation (0.6 ET a 0.8 ET) compared to 1.2 ET irrigation level. While full ET irrigation treatment rated in-between averaging in both seasons. Regarding these characters may be ascribed to activity of shoot growth, leaf area a root diribution uer high irrigation level explain by the previously which might lead to acceleration in translocation of nutrients a assimilates from different parts of the vine towards berries. Consequently, imulate of berries development a maturity. These fiing agreed with those reported by Fig. 6: Effect of irrigation treatments on some previous udies [10, 11]. They mentioned the negative Physiological properties of leaves of Superior effect of applied water amounts on TSS / acid ratio of Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock in 2010 grapevines. a 2011 seasons 358

15 Table 12: J. Hort. Sci. & Ornamen. Plants, 4 (3): , 2012 Effect of irrigation treatment on total carbohydrates (%), leaf prolin content% a leaf mineral content (N, P, K)% on petiole of Superior Seedless cv. grafted on Freedom rootock during 2010 a 2011seasons Total carbohydrates% Leaf proline content% Nitrogen% Phosphor% Potassium% Treatments 1 season 2 season 1 season 2 season 1 season 2 season 1 season 2 season 1 season 2 season 0.6 ET ET ET ET New LSD Hard Leaf Character (HLC): Data in Fig. 6 represent the Furthermore, some researchers inveigated the effect effect of irrigation treatments on hard leaf character of irrigation water on total carbohydrate content of canes. throughout the two udied seasons. Generally, the lower For inance El Gey [10]; Ali a Abd-El Moniem [11] irrigation rate (0.6 ET) yielded in the highe values of a Lavin [62] fou that irrigation generally increased hard leaf followed by 0.8 ET. canes content of total carbohydrates. Meanwhile the vine subjected to higher irrigation to the 1.0 ET or 1.2 ET cause lower values in this parameter. Proline Content (%): It is obvious from the data Such increment may be attributed to the low area of leaves presented in Table 12 that the proline content gradually in vines uer higher water ress coition. a significantly increased as the amount of irrigation This fact could be explained in view of the table leaf water decreased. In other words, the petioles could area. This result confirmed previous data by Mohamed accumulate much more proline with decreasing the [60] a El Gey et al.[61] who reported that hard leaf irrigation quantity from 1.2 ET to 0.6 ET. In this respect, character was affected with the low irrigation rate. irrigation at 0.6 ET resulted in the highe proline content followed by irrigation at 0.8 ET. While vine uer 1.2 ET Effect of Irrigation Treatment on Chemical irrigation treatment contained the lowe values of these Characteriics of Superior Seedless cv. On Grafted parameters. The treatment of 1.0 ET had the intermediate Freedom Rootock effect. However, the primary effects of water ress which Total Carbohydrate Content of Canes (g/100g D.W.): led to accumulation of proline were decreasing proline Data tabulated in Table 12 represent the effect of irrigation synthesis a increasing proline formation. Therefore, it treatments on total carbohydrates of canes throughout can be said that, the role of proline in drought injury is the two udied seasons. Generally, irrigation treatments ill a metter of controversy, it had been suggeed that have positively affected cane carbohydrate content, the accumulation of proline may be used as a basis for increased significantly with increasing the amount of water ress. Similarly, El Gey [10] ; Shewky et al. [23] irrigation water, whereas the canes accumulated that lea a Abd El-Moteleb [63] reported that, the content of free amount of carbohydrates uer irrigation at the lower rate proline with an optimum supply of water is usually very (0.6 ET). While the higher irrigation rate (1.2 ET) yielded low. In reverse, the accumulation of proline was raised in the highe percentage of carbohydrates in cane tissue with water ress. followed by full ET (1.0 ET) in this respect, irrigation at 0.8 ET gave the intermediate values of this parameter were Leaf mineral N, P a K content (%): Data concerning atiically confirmed during both seasons. This results nitrogen, phosphorus a potassium content of leaves as lead to the conclusion that thick a medium cane could affected by different irrigation treatments are presented in produce from irrigation at 1.2 ET a 1.0 ET, respectively Table 12, it can be pointed out that, nitrogen, phosphorus while deficit irrigation (0.6 ET a 0.8 ET) gives thin canes a potassium content in the leaves was positively which, consequently, may reflects poor bud opening a affected by irrigation rate. It is obvious from the given fertility. data that N a P uptake increased in vines which Concentration of the various carbohydrates in the received irrigation water at 1.2 ET while the lea uptake canes has affected the metabolic activity of the vines a accumulation of N a P in petioles tissues was which was reflected on the growth a yield. The canes observed when vine was subjected to irrigation at low are the main orage organs of various food materials level (0.6 ET) followed by 0.8 ET level. However, the N, P needed to promote the various growth activities of the a K concentration in vines irrigated at full ET rated vine at early age during the season. in-between. This is true for both seasons of this udy. 359