Title
Effects of elevated CO2 on grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.): Physiological and yield attributes
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2009
Volume Number
48
Source Publication
Vitis
Abstract
During the 2004, 2005 and 2006 growing seasons, physiological and anatomical leaf characteristics and productivity were studied in field-grown grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. 'Touriga Franca' under ambient (C, 365 ± 10 ppm) or elevated carbon dioxide [CO2] (E, 500 ± 16 ppm) under Open-top chambers (OTC-C and OTC-E, respectively). The elevated [CO2] concentra- tion increased net photosynthetic rate (A), intrinsic wa- ter use efficiency (A/gs), leaf thickness, Mg concentra- tion, C/N, K/N and Mg/N ratios and decreased stomatal density and N concentration. Nevertheless, stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), photochemi- cal efficiency (Fv/Fm), leaf water potential, SPAD-values and Red/Far-red ratio transmitted by leaves were not significantly affected by [CO2]. Meanwhile, there is no evidence for downward acclimation of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. Yield, cluster weight and vigour showed an increase in elevated [CO2] treatment but yield to pruning mass ratio was unaffected. Despite elevated [CO2] stimulates grapevine photosynthesis and yield, more long-term studies, particularly at sub-opti- mal nutrient and water availability, are needed in order to reveal the grapevine responses to climate change in the Mediterranean area.