Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 10, 2025

Semi-High Throughput Screening for Potential Drought-tolerance in Lettuce Lactuca sativa Germplasm Collections
Published on: April 17, 2015
Soil and Regulated Deficit Irrigation Affect Growth, Yield and Quality of 'Nero d'Avola' Grapes in a Semi-Arid
Maria Gabriella Barbagallo1, Giuseppe Vesco1, Rosario Di Lorenzo1
1Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 11, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
Abstract:
The present work studied the effect of two consecutive years of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) compared to rain fed management on the vegetative growth, yield, and quality of 'Nero d'Avola' grapes. The trial was conducted separately in two soils (vertisol and entisol) located at the top and bottom hillside of the same vineyard. Vertisol was characterized by greater depth, organic matter, exchangeable K2O, and total N than entisol. RDI was based on an irrigation volume at 25% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) up to end of veraison and 10% of estimated ETc up to 15 days before harvest. Predawn water potential (PDWP) was used as indicator of plant water status and irrigation timing. No difference in irrigation management was evident between vertisol and entisol. Under Mediterranean climate conditions, RDI was able to enhance grape yield and vegetative growth, especially in vertisol, but it reduced berry titratable acidity and total anthocyanins. 'Nero d'Avola' showed to adapt to drought conditions in the open field. Both soil type and irrigation regimes may provide opportunities to obtain different 'Nero d'Avola' wine quality and boost typicality.
Related Concept Videos
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Tonicity in Plants
Tonicity in Plants
Tonicity
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water depending on the solute...

