Effects of extra potassium supply and rootstocks indicate links between water, solutes and energy in Shiraz grapevines (Vitis vinifera) pericarps

Funct Plant Biol. 2024 Jun:51:FP23141. doi: 10.1071/FP23141.

Abstract

Potassium (K) is essential for the development of grapevines (Vitis vinifera ), accumulating into berries during maturation. Elevated K has been associated with high sugar and low acidity in juice. Characterising the accumulation patterns of K and other components in pericarps treated with various experimental factors may indicate potential regulators of berry K levels. A soil fertiliser trial using nutrient solutions with two K supply rates was conducted on potted Shiraz vines during berry ripening. Doubled-K supply increased L-malic acid content in the early-ripening phase, and increased K and magnesium concentrations in the late-ripening phase. Doubled-K supply reduced the ratio of K to sodium in later ripening phases, suggesting that the accumulation of K relative to sodium was limited in more mature berries supplied with extra K. Pericarp water percentage, sugar, K and ATP were correlated in both treatments, indicating links between hydration, solute transport and energy in maturing berries. In a separate rootstock trial over the two growing seasons, Shiraz scions grafted onto 420-A rootstock produced berries with lower K concentration and content than those grafted onto Ramsey or Ruggeri-140 rootstocks and own-rooted vines. This study demonstrated that the K supply and berry ripening phase impacted the berry K level.

MeSH terms

  • Fruit* / growth & development
  • Fruit* / metabolism
  • Plant Roots* / growth & development
  • Plant Roots* / metabolism
  • Potassium* / metabolism
  • Sodium / metabolism
  • Vitis* / growth & development
  • Vitis* / metabolism
  • Water* / metabolism

Substances

  • Potassium
  • Water
  • Sodium