Phosphorus forms in leaves and their relationships with must composition and yield in grapevines

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate phosphorus forms in grape leaves and their relationships with must composition and yield in grapevines grown in a Typic Hapludalf with different available P contents. Two experiments were carried out with Vitis viniferacultivars, one with 'Tannat' and the other with 'Cabernet Franc' grapes. Experiment 1 consisted of two vineyards of 'Tannat', with the following P content in the soil: V1, 11.8 mg kg-1 P; and V2, 34.6 mg kg-1 P. Experiment 2 consisted of two vineyards of 'Cabernet Franc', with the following P content in the soil: V1, 16.0 mg kg-1 P; and V2, 37.0 mg kg-1 P. Leaves were collected at flowering (FL) and veraison (V), and, after their preparation, P forms were evaluated. Yield and must composition were assessed. The highest yield was observed in V2 of experiment 1 and in V2 of experiment 2. Total P content and P forms in leaves at FL and V have no relationship with yield parameters; however, total P content in leaves has a relationship with anthocyanin content in the must of 'Tannat' grapevines. Therefore, P fractionation in leaves predicts neither grapevine yield nor must composition.

Keywords

• Vitis vinifera
• chemical fractionation of P in the tissue
• grape production
• must analysis
• phosphorus fertilization.