Irrigation, nitrogen, and rootstock effects on volume loss of berries from potted Shiraz vines

Abstract

Shiraz (synonym Syrah) berry volume increases in two phases and this may be followed by shrinkage during the later stages of ripening. Irrigation regime, nitrogen application rate and rootstock were tested for their effects on the onset of volume loss and extent of volume loss. Maximum berry volume correlated well with volume of berries at 35 d after flowering, the end of the cell division phase. Post-maximum berry shrinkage was not as severe of vines grown with split-root irrigation as compared with standard irrigation. However, these berries were smaller at harvest due to less pre-veraison expansion. Berries grown on vines with standard irrigation had greater post-maximum volume loss than those berries grown in a deficit irrigation treatment. Despite this, maximum berry volume correlated well with final volume in all treatments. N application rate had an effect on the onset of post-veraison expansion but not on the amplitude of maximum berry volume or final berry volume. Deficit irrigation delayed the onset of volume loss by 11 d. Rootstock also had an effect on the onset of volume loss with berries from vines grafted on the rootstock 101-14 Mgt losing volume 7 d earlier than berries from vines grafted on Ramsey. These results suggest that onset and degree of volume loss in Shiraz is sensitive to external influences.