Agronomic performance and berry composition of four Cabernet Sauvignon clones under semi-arid viticultural conditions
¹Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Fisiología vegetal, Almirante Brown 500, Chacras de Coria, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
²Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Fruticultura, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agropecuarias, Argentina
*Correspondence: ldeis@fca.uncu.edu.ar
Abstract:
Clonal variability in Cabernet Sauvignon provides an opportunity to optimized wine yield and oenological potential under semi-arid conditions where limited water availability and high temperatures can affect grape composition. In this study, we evaluated the agronomic performance and berry characteristics of four clones (7, 15, 169, and 685) grafted onto Paulsen 1103 rootstocks during two consecutive seasons in Argentina. Measurements included plant water status, leaf area, yield components, and berry composition, with particular emphasis on polyphenols and anthocyanins. While no differences in stem water potential were detected, stomatal conductance revealed distinct water-use efficient strategies among clones. Clone 7 showed the highest fertility and productivity but lower polyphenolic content (35% less malvidin 3-glucoside than clone 685), while clone 685 consistently accumulated the highest anthocyanin concentrations despite its lower yield (26% less than 7). Clone 169 combined relatively high yields with intermediate berry composition, while clone 15 showed the lowest productivity with moderate quality parameters. These findings demonstrate that genetic variability among Cabernet Sauvignon clones grown under semi-arid conditions influences both agronomic performance and fruit composition, providing winegrowers with valuable tools for a given environment and to adapt vineyard management to future climate change scenarios.
Key words:
anthocyanins, quality, semi-arid conditions, yield