South Africa Wine Research Projects

2. VITICULTURE RESEARCH PROJECT IN PROGRESS

PRODUCING QUALITY GRAPES WITH LIMITED WATER

FShip Water 3 Prof Melané Vivier, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Stellenbosch University Project is co-funded by the Water Research Commission

Start date: 2022 Flagship Project

AIM AND INDUSTRY RELEVANCE: This study aims to evaluate and compare the adaptability and resilience of current commercial scion/rootstock combinations established and maintained under both optimal and sub-optimal water conditions using a holistic approach and novel techniques. The study’s main hypothesis is that grapevines (scions and rootstocks in combination) display adaptation to non-lethal water limiting conditions (through intrinsic and extrinsic factors) that can lead to their resilience to water stress conditions. From a practical point of view, this project intends to answer questions like “Can commercially planted scions/rootstocks adapt to much less water and still produce quality grapes?” and “What would be the critical aspects to consider towards such a goal?”. These seem like simple questions, but they cannot be answered without recognising the complex interaction of many factors that influence a vine’s success and resilience in a specific (natural or manipulated) environment. Therefore, they are currently largely unanswered. The Water Research Programme provided a model vineyard where grapevine water stress studies can be conducted over the lifespan of grapevines on a vineyard scale. This vineyard was designed (site selection, row layout and rootstock-scion selection) by the Water Programme Committee Workgroup and established in 2020 through a partnership between VinPro, Winetech and Stellenbosch University. The model vineyard will be a long-term resource to transfer knowledge and skills to the industry and viticulture students on the topic of grape production with limited water. It can showcase the outcomes of limiting water on a seasonal basis and over many seasons on a range of scion/rootstock combinations. The impact of innovative technologies in monitoring water stress could also be showcased.

SOUTH AFRICA WINE RESEARCH 2024

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