Grapevine Latent Bud Dormancy and Shoot Development

Abstract

Grapevine development comprises different phenological stages from bud break to berry maturation which are mainly temperature and water dependent. Pre bud break, there is a crucial stage called dormancy which can be divided in two periods: endodormancy and ecodormancy. Climate change (increase in average temperatures and drought) may accelerate the onset of bud burst, however with greater heterogeneity, thus increasing the risk of shoot exposure to abiotic and biotic constraints. Obviously, this could lead to yield and quality issues. In this regard, the ability to assess when climatic conditions are suitable for dormancy release and to predict the date of bud break is important.