How to Manage Long-term Hydric Stress in Grapevines?

Did you know one liter of wine needs 400 liters of water during vegetative growth?

Vine water regime is known to have the greatest influence on vine physiology (yield, plant vigour, grape quality potential). It is also the hardest to measure, forecast and manage especially due to climate change and abiotic stresses impacts. Evaluating grapevine hydric state will determine if its not limiting, weakly limiting or if the vine is under real water stress. Watering will not be enough to overcome the damages made by a severe stress. Specific cultural practices will help the grower to obtain a fair compromise between the yield and the qualitative potential of the grapes.

Thanks to its root exploring capacity grapevine can tolerate a certain level of hydric constraint. It is up to the grower to fix the maximum threshold not to exceed according to its production target (yield, quality, sugar etc.)

What is the physiological impact of hydric stress on grapevines?

The decrease of photosynthetic activity results in less sugar production which means a reduction of sugar exportations in sink organs such as berries, roots or latent buds. In the end it can be problematic for wine maturation or reserve building. Negative impacts on growth and vegetative development during the ongoing season will influence negatively on the grapevine carbohydrate production which represent important source of energy for sustainable production.

The stage of hydric stress occurrence will impact differently the grapevine yield. Severe water lacking before flowering can indirectly reduce number of berries/grape due to photosynthesis decrease.

TIMAC AGRO technology SEACTIV found in FERTILEADER is recommended to manage hydric stress by stimulating photosynthesis, improving crop tolerance to abiotic stress, and increase nutrient uptake.

Our recommendation:

During flowering stage, prefer SEACTIV technology with boron – FERTILEADER GOLD
From fruit set to harvest, prefer SEACTIV technology with trace – FERTILEADER VITAL

To learn more, check out the latest advice kit below or contact your local ATC.

Timac Agro Advice Kit – Managing Hydric Stress in Grapevines