Bassiony, S., Zaghloul, A., Abd El-Aziz, M. (2018). EFFECT OF IRRIGATION LEVELS WITH FOLIAR SPRAY OF SILICON, CALCIUM AND AMINO ACIDS ON "THOMPSON SEEDLESS" GRAPEVINES. I. YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY. Journal of Productivity and Development, 23(3), 429-452. doi: 10.21608/jpd.2018.42054
Saber Bassiony; Ali Zaghloul; Maha Abd El-Aziz. "EFFECT OF IRRIGATION LEVELS WITH FOLIAR SPRAY OF SILICON, CALCIUM AND AMINO ACIDS ON "THOMPSON SEEDLESS" GRAPEVINES. I. YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY". Journal of Productivity and Development, 23, 3, 2018, 429-452. doi: 10.21608/jpd.2018.42054
Bassiony, S., Zaghloul, A., Abd El-Aziz, M. (2018). 'EFFECT OF IRRIGATION LEVELS WITH FOLIAR SPRAY OF SILICON, CALCIUM AND AMINO ACIDS ON "THOMPSON SEEDLESS" GRAPEVINES. I. YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY', Journal of Productivity and Development, 23(3), pp. 429-452. doi: 10.21608/jpd.2018.42054
Bassiony, S., Zaghloul, A., Abd El-Aziz, M. EFFECT OF IRRIGATION LEVELS WITH FOLIAR SPRAY OF SILICON, CALCIUM AND AMINO ACIDS ON "THOMPSON SEEDLESS" GRAPEVINES. I. YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY. Journal of Productivity and Development, 2018; 23(3): 429-452. doi: 10.21608/jpd.2018.42054
EFFECT OF IRRIGATION LEVELS WITH FOLIAR SPRAY OF SILICON, CALCIUM AND AMINO ACIDS ON "THOMPSON SEEDLESS" GRAPEVINES. I. YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY
1Viticulture Res. Dept. Horticulture Research Institute ARC, Giza, Egypt
2Handling Res. Dept. Horticulture Research Institute ARC, Giza, Egypt
32Handling Res. Dept. Horticulture Research Institute ARC, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study was conducted during two growing seasons of 2016 and 2017 to evaluate the potential effects of different irrigation levels (30, 50 and 70% depleted of available soil water) after fruit set as well as four foliar applications of Control, Silicon spray at 1.5 g/L, Calcium nitrate at 1 g/L and Amino acids at 2 ml/L, which sprayed at 15-20 cm of shoot length and the second one after fruit set, then these were continuous every two weeks till veraison stage on yield and fruit quality of "Thompson seedless" (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevines grown in clay soil under flow irrigation system in El-Mahalla, Gharbia Governorate. The obtained results revealed that, vines irrigated at 30and 50% depleted from soil available water showed a significant increase in yield and fruit quality compared with 70% depleted from soil available water. The results cleared that, all foliar applications enhancing in all clusters and berries quality, especially with the use of amino acids sprays on cluster (weight and length) and berry (length, diameter and weight of 100 berries). Vines irrigated with 30 and 50% depleted from soil available water in combined with amino acids sprays showed a significant increase in yield and cluster characters (weight, length and number) and berry characters in terms of firmness, removal force, weight and volume of 100 berries. Moreover, foliar spray with calcium as well as silicon was very effective in reducing percentages of berries decay, cracking, wrinkled and berries shatter under all irrigation levels. However, the irrigation at 50% depleted from soil available water level increased berry SSC% and SSC/acid ratio and slightly decreased berry acidity%. Conclusively, the productivity of irrigation water was enhanced in vines irrigated at 50% depleted from soil available water, recommend it can reduce water irrigation by about 50% without losses in total yield with maintaining cluster and berry quality of "Thompson seedless" grape.
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is the most important fruit crop in the world. It generally needs to select a good irrigation system because the use of training systems designed which resulted large leaves area for higher production, thus resulting a higher canopy water loss (Silva et al., 2012). The importance of irrigation management as a key factor for the successful cultivation of table grapevines prompts; we need a new approach research for improving water management, aiming not only for environmentally sustainable agricultural practices but also for restraining water-related production costs (Martínez-de-Toda and Balda, 2013). Recently, Shahidian et al. (2016) summarized that, reducing irrigation by 70% from standard level had a negative effect on berry weight and sugar content. Various horticultural practices have been applied to alleviate the adverse effects of water deficit on normal plant functioning. For example, silicon applications (Meena et al., 2014), amino acids sprays (Belal et al., 2016) and calcium foliar sprays (Upadhyaya et al., 2011) improved plant growth under stress conditions.
Silicon is a natural element that found in most biological systems. Application of this element to some plants benefits it through mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses moreover, it enhanced the nutrient uptake. Si nowadays used by some of the organic and biodynamic grape producers, since it is believed to be a more effective in increasing plant defense and fruit quality (Meunier et al., 2011). Also, it helps in alleviating many stresses like drought, high temperature, salt, metal toxicity, nutrient imbalance (Habibi, 2015). Moreover, silicon fertilizers were showed several advantages of fruit quality, since it increased sugar content, enhanced hardness and pressure-resistance of grape and apple fruits also, increased vitamin C and protein content of nectarine fruit and some vegetable crops (Jia et al., 2011). The alleviating of abiotic stresses effect using Si was suggested through several hypotheses viz.(a) enhanced photosynthetic activity (b) improved K/Na selectivity ratio (c) encourage enzyme activity and (d) increased the soluble substances concentrations of the xylem, which increased water absorption by plants also it was associated with increasing in antioxidant defense mechanism of plants Meena et al. (2014).
Amino acids are classified as organic nitrogenous compounds which play an important role in the synthesis of proteins involves a process in which ribosome catalyze the polymerization of amino acids (Davies, 1982). Amino acids have a high integrity with different metabolic bathes in plants which used to promote plant growth (Coruzzi and Last, 2000). It play an important role in mitigation of the drought stress resulting to reducing of irrigation needs as showed by Hattori et al. (2005) reported that, amino acids increases plants drought tolerance by maintaining plant water balance, photosynthetic efficiency of the leaves and xylem vessels structure under stress. Recently, Peter and Pinter (2015) reported that, the yield, clusters weight and the berries size of Blaufrankish grape variety increased by using of bio-stimulators containing amino acids but did not affect the fruit chemicals quality characters.
Calcium is the one of essential eliminates for stabilizing and intensification cell wall and membrane construction, including function of cell walls and membranes. Moreover, calcium applications to saline-sodic soils have a twin effect: 1) it enhances structure, aeration and drainage of the soil. 2) It supports the capacity of the roots to restrict sodium uptake through improving the Ca: Na ratio (Shao et al., 2008). In this way,(Zhu-mei et al., 2007) indicated that spraying of Ca on nurslings of Pinot Noir grape under moisture stress condition, increased soluble sugars content, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes activity, moreover it alleviates chlorophyll decomposition. Also, calcium plays an important role in enhancing fruit quality as cleared by several researchers (Kluter et al., 2006, and Raese & Drake, 2008) they reported that, preharvest Ca spray treatments used to increase Ca content of the fruit cell wall were effective in delaying senescence, resulting in firmer fruits. Also, Marzouk and Kassem (2011) concluded that, spraying calcium chloride on Thompson seedless grapevines was effective in increased berries firmness and decreased the percentage of unmarketable clusters after storage at ambient temperature for seven days. However, Abd-Elghany (2006) noted that, spraying “Ruby seedless” grapevines with CaCl2 (3g/L) three weeks after fruit set improved berry firmness and TSS.
Therefore, the present study was conducted to explain the effect of irrigation time at three levels of field capacity and foliar spray with silicon, calcium and amino acids which might help mitigate the possible adverse effect of deficit water, improving yield and fruit quality of “Thompson seedless" grapevines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A field experiment was conducted during two successive seasons 2016 and 2017 on ten years old, "Thompson seedless" grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in a private vineyard located at El Mehalla El Koubra, Gharbiya Governorate, Egypt. Vines were spaced at 1.5 meters in a row and 3 meters between rows under flow irrigation system. Cane pruning system adopted during winter pruning with modified Y ship supporting system. The buds load/vine was adjusted to 84 eyes (7 fruiting canes × 10 eyes plus 7 renewal spurs × two eyes). Vines were subjected to cultural practices which usually done in this area. The soil properties were measured according to Jackson (1973) and Klute (1986), where soil texture was clay (58% clay, 27% silt and 15% sand), soil pH 7.8, EC 2.1 dSm
-1
. The chosen vines were vigor, uniform and healthy as possible and arranged in split plot design as follows:
The main plots were assigned for three irrigation levels as:
I1= irrigation at 30% depletion of soil available water.
I2= irrigation at 50% depletion of soil available water.
I3= irrigation at 70% depletion of soil available water.
The sub plots were ranged for four foliar sprays as:
S1= foliar sprays with tap water.
S2= foliar sprays with potassium silicate (SiO2 25% + K2O 10%) at 1.5 ml/l.
S3= foliar sprays with Calcium nitrate (CaO 26% + NO315.5%) at 1.0 g/l.
S4= foliar sprays with amino acids at 2ml/l (commercial product containing: total amino acids 20% + magnesium 8% + sulfur 10.6%).
The combinations between the two factors resulting twelve treatments (3 irrigation levels x 4 foliar applications) each treatment replicated three times with three vines in each replicate (3 replicate x 3 vines).
Irrigation treatments
Amount of irrigation water applied (WA) for each irrigation treatment was determined according to soil moisture content in soil samples taken from consecutive depth of 15 cm down to depth of 60 cm to reach its field capacity before conduct irrigation levels (at depletion of 30, 50 and 70% of AW) with 4569.6, 2881.8 and 2494.1m3/fed/season distributed on 16, 9 and 7 irrigations, respectively as shown in Tables (1 and 2). Submerged orifice with fixed dimension was used to convey and measure the amount of water applied according to Michael (1978) as the following equation:
Where: Q = Discharge through the orifice (L/sec.), C = Coefficient of discharge (0.61), A=Cross section area of the orifice, cm2, g = Acceleration due to gravity, cm/sec2 (981 cm/sec2) and h = Pressure head, causing discharge through the orifice, cm.
Irrigation treatments were conducted after one week from fruit set. However, the first spray of foliar treatments was started when shoots reached 15-20 cm in length, and the second one was applied after fruit set and then were done continuously every two weeks till veraison stage (4sprays/ season).
Table (1): Some physical characteristics of soil and water constants for the studied vineyard at different soil depth (Average of the two growing seasons).
Soil depth (cm)
Soil water constants
Field Capacity (FC) %
Permanent Wilting Point
%
Available Water
%
0 – 15
15 – 30
30 – 45
45 – 60
47.34
43.83
40.45
37.77
22.24
20.34
19.88
18.50
25.10
23.49
20.57
20.27
Table: (2): The amount of irrigation water applied (m3/fed.) for different
irrigation levels during each growing season.
Irrigation
Treatments
Irrigations
No.
Amount of each
irrigation water
m3/ fed.
Water applied (WA) m3/fed./season
30% depleted Water
16
285.6
4569.6
50% depleted Water
9
320.2
2881.8
70% depleted Water
7
356.3
2494.1
For achieving the study purpose, the following data were recorded:
Yield and fruit physical parameters
Cluster number/vine, cluster weight (g), and cluster length (cm) were recorded. The yield of each vine was determined as kg/vine then, total yield ton/feddan calculated as follows:
Yield / feddan ton = (vine yield (kg) x number of vines per faddan) ÷ 1000.
Cluster compactness coefficient was determined in nine clusters per treatment by dividing the number of berries per cluster by cluster length.
Berry cracking and wrinkled % were estimated according to Becker and Knoche (2012) and expressed as a percent of bunch weight.
Berries length and diameter (mm) were determined in ten berries per cluster using digital vernal clipper.
Weight of 100 berries (g) was measured using digital balance.
Volume of 100 berries (ml) was determined by the water displacement method.
Berry firmness and berry removal force were measured in ten berries per cluster using the hand dynamometer apparatus model FDP1000 with a thump 1mm. The two parameters data were transformed into Newton units according to El-Abbasy et al. (2015) using the transformed factor (1gram-force = 0.00980665 Newton).
Berry shattering (%) was determined by berries weight percent of the cluster after given a two-light shakes by hand.
Berries decay (%) was expressed as the decayed berries weight as percent per cluster weight.
Fruit chemical parameters:
Berries juice soluble solids content (SSC%) was estimated using the hand refractometer apparatus
The titratable acidity (%) was determined as mg of tartaric acid equivalent using Na OH (0.1N) in 100 ml of berries juice (A.O.A.C., 1990).
SSC/ acid ratio was calculated using data of SSC % and that of titratable acidity.
Productivity of irrigation water (PIW) calculated according to Ali et al. (2007) as follows:
PIW = yield per feddan (kg) ÷ total irrigation water per feddan (m3).
Statistical analysis
The experimental design was a split plot and all the collected data were statistically analyzed by the analysis of variance as described by Snedecor and Cochran (1990). The differences among treatments mean were compared using the least significant different LSD test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1. Yield and clusters quality:
From data established in Table (3) it could be observed that, "Thompson seedless" vines irrigate at levels 30 and 50% depletion of soil available water (I1 and I2) produced the highest significant yield and cluster weight without significant difference between them in both seasons. On the contrary, the vines irrigated at 70% depletion of soil available water (I3) gave the least values of the above-mentioned parameters in both seasons. Cluster length showed the same trend, where the vines irrigated with I1 level gave the longest cluster in the first season, but by the second one, there are no significant differences between vines ofI1 andI2 treatments. in other words, yield as ton/ feddan and its components was gradually increased with increasing water applied from 2494.1 to 4569.6 m3
feddan/ year, but the differences in yield and cluster weight and cluster length
Table (3): Effect of water irrigation levels and silicon, calcium and amino acids foliar applications on yield and cluster physical quality parameters of "Thompson seedless" grapevine during 2016 and 2017 seasons
Treatments
Yield/ feddan
(ton)
Cluster weight
(g)
Cluster length
(cm)
Compactness
Coefficient
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
Irrigation main effect
I 1
I 2
I 3
LSD at5%
7.90
8.04
5.63
0.718
8.51
8.55
6.10
0.664
355.99
357.65
278.13
3.491
362.08
361.29
299.30
2.540
21.55
20.94
19.32
0.607
22.64
22.13
20.49
0.718
8.36
8.62
9.27
0.493
7.82
8.15
8.80
0.470
Spray main effect
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
LSD at 5%
6.74
7.05
7.12
7.83
0.226
7.23
7.68
7.73
8.22
0.211
318.76
329.35
327.60
346.64
2.765
320.71
340.88
343.57
358.40
2.587
19.72
20.35
20.44
21.89
1.715
20.70
21.59
21.72
23.00
1.853
9.22
8.81
8.73
8.25
0.313
8.72
8.35
8.30
7.84
0.262
Interaction
I 1
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
7.31
7.78
7.86
8.65
7.76
7.93
7.85
8.60
5.15
5.45
5.66
6.25
8.16
8.43
8.47
8.96
8.08
8.57
8.52
9.02
5.46
6.05
6.61
6.68
340.06
358.03
351.73
374.13
345.92
358.82
354.12
371.75
270.30
271.21
276.96
294.04
353.40
355.04
359.40
380.47
345.12
362.16
361.12
376.75
263.60
305.44
310.20
317.97
20.57
21.90
21.10
22.63
19.87
20.13
21.03
22.73
18.73
19.03
19.20
20.30
21.90
22.13
22.83
23.68
20.93
22.27
21.63
23.70
19.27
20.37
20.70
21.63
8.75
8.22
8.53
7.95
9.06
8.94
8.56
7.92
9.85
9.26
9.11
8.87
8.22
8.13
7.88
7.60
8.60
8.08
8.32
7.59
9.34
8.84
8.70
8.32
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
0.543
0.485
4.747
6.222
0.619
0.748
1.627
1.534
I1, I2 and I3 = Irrigation at 30 (Control), 50 and 70% depletion of available water,
respectively.
S1, S2, S3 and S4 = Foliar application with water (control), Silicon, Calcium and Amino
acids,respectively.
produced by vines irrigated with 2881.8 and 4569.6 m3 of water were not significant which indicate that, irrigation at 2881.8 m3/feddan can be used without any destroys effects on yield and its components. However, vines of I3 irrigation level showed the highest values of cluster compactness coefficient and the lowest values were noticed with the I1 level during both seasons of the study. These results were supported by those of Ojeda et al. (2001), Keller et al. (2008) and Diego and Castel (2010) on different grapevine cultivars. Porro et al. (2010) mentioned that, reducing irrigation levels on grapes by up to 60% would not have any impact on yield, but that the timing of the irrigation might be important for maintenance of yields. Also, Romero et al. (2015) reported that, the moderately-water-stressed "Tempranillo" grapevines showed greater yield than that severed water deficit irrigation.
Concerning the main effect of foliar applications, data of Table (3) cleared that, all foliar spray treatments (S
1
, S
2
, S
3
and S
4
) enhanced yield and cluster physical parameters especially amino acids (S
4
) sprays which gave significantly higher yield/ feddan, cluster weight, and cluster length per vine. In contrast control vines showed the lowest values of these characters and higher values of cluster compactness coefficient during both seasons of this study. Here it can point out that, vines of control (S
1
) which produced the lowest cluster length and the highest cluster compactness coefficient. In this respect, Peter and Pinter (2015) reported that, amino acids sprays increased vine yield.
Regarding the interaction, data in Table (3) indicated that, "Thompson seedless" vines irrigated with I1 and I2 levels combined with amino acids foliar spray (S4) showed a significant increase in yield/ feddan, cluster weight and cluster length without significant differences between them in both seasons. However, the lower values were obtained in vines exposed as more stress (I3) irrigation level with all spray treatments for all the above characters. Moreover; the same level (I3) of irrigation combined with tap water spray (control) showed the lowest cluster weight and cluster length values in both seasons of this study.
As for cluster compactness coefficient, vines treated with I2 and I3 in combined with amino acids showed the lower values however, the highest coefficient was noticed I3 unsprayed (control) treatment. Similar results were obtained by Coruzzi and Last (2000), Romero et al. (2015) and Chaves et al. (2007) they concluded that, it can decrease the amount of water applied by 50% of available soil water without negative effects on yield and even get some gains of berries quality of two grapevine varieties Moscate and Castela.
2. Berries physical quality parameters
Data of Table (4) showed that, "Thompson seedless" vines irrigated at I1 level had a significant increase in weight and volume of 100 berries as compared to other irrigation levels. Moreover, berry diameter and berry length showed a significant increase in vines under I1and I2 levels without significant differences between them during both seasons. On the other
Table (4). Effect of water irrigation levels and silicon, calcium and amino
acids foliar applications on berries physical quality parameters of
Thompson seedless grapevines during 2016 and 2017 seasons
Treatments
Weight of 100
Berries (g)
Vol. of 100
Berries (ml)
Berry length
(mm)
Berry diameters (mm)
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
Irrigation main effect
I 1
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
370.44
364.43
310.10
3.861
370.58
365.98
314.08
3.972
345.27
335.20
280.68
4.232
348.17
337.75
283.72
3.881
19.11
19.04
18.43
0.283
20.32
20.13
19.38
0.265
18.50
18.59
17.49
0.284
18.70
18.74
17.40
0.544
Spray main effect
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
LSD at 5%
343.62
348.14
347.85
353.67
4.372
339.42
349.86
351.73
359.84
4.593
304.85
323.90
313.92
338.84
4.894
307.96
327.28
317.46
340.14
4.481
17.24
19.23
19.03
19.92
1.202
19.15
19.88
20.01
20.71
1.382
16.94
17.80
18.61
19.42
1.191
17.45
18.31
18.23
19.12
1.553
Interaction
I 1
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
365.13
371.10
370.93
374.60
360.17
362.53
361.83
373.17
305.57
311.50
310.80
313.23
359.50
368.17
371.43
383.20
358.53
365.23
364.87
375.30
300.23
316.17
318.90
321.03
330.09
347.47
343.33
360.19
317.32
336.39
324.58
362.49
267.15
287.85
273.85
293.85
332.26
350.03
348.15
362.23
321.18
340.22
329.12
360.46
270.45
291.58
275.11
297.74
17.25
19.70
19.39
20.09
17.30
19.26
19.14
20.14
17.16
18.44
18.56
19.54
19.18
20.33
20.46
21.29
19.16
19.95
20.15
21.24
19.12
19.36
19.41
19.61
17.03
18.13
18.93
19.89
17.11
18.14
19.25
19.84
16.67
17.12
17.64
18.52
17.63
18.67
17.73
19.77
17.71
18.84
18.79
19.61
17.0
17.42
17.18
17.99
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
7.572
7.942
8.473
7.761
1.784
2.002
1.953
2.212
I1, I2 and I3 = Irrigation at 30 (control), 50 and 70% depletion of available water, respectively.
S1, S2, S3 and S4 = Foliar application with water (control), Silicon, Calcium and Amino acids,respectively.
hand, lower values of the above-mentioned berry physical parameters were noticed in vines irrigated at I3 during both seasons of the study. These results are in harmony with that of Romero et al. (2015) and Shahidian et al. (2016) they summarized that, reducing irrigation by 70% from standard level (4 l/h) with 2-weeks irrigation stress period had a negative effect on berry weight, length and diameter.
Data of the same Table (4) cleared that, all foliar spray treatments were effective in enhancing berry quality as compared to control. Foliar spray with amino acids was more effective in this respect, where it showed the highest significant values of berry physical quality characters in terms of 100 berries weight, volume, berry diameter and length as compared with other treatments during both seasons of the study. However, the lowest values of all these characters were noticed with vines of control (sprayed with tap water) during both study seasons. These results were in harmony with that of Abd El-Monem et al. (2008).
Regarding the interaction, data of Table (4) mentioned that, all combinations among irrigation levels and foliar spray treatments cleared a positive effect on different berries quality as compared to the control of both studied factors. The combination between I1 as well as I2 irrigation levels with amino acids sprays recorded the highest significant increase in weight and volume of 100 berries, berry length and diameter in both seasons of this study. However, lower values of 100 berries weight, volume, berry length and diameters were noticed with vines treated by the combination of I3+S1. This trend was true during the two study seasons. Similar results were found by Mahajan and Tuteja (2005) and Peter & Pinter (2015).
Data illustrated in Table (5) showed that, decayed berries% had a positive trend with increasing irrigation water levels, where vines irrigated at 30% (I1) depletion of available water showed the higher percent followed by that irrigated at 50 % (I2), however, the lowest percentage was noticed with vines irrigated at 70% depletion of available water (I3), this results were noticed during both seasons. The decreasing in berry decay as a result of decreasing water irrigation can be explained according to the fact that, reducing of irrigation play an important role in limiting vegetative growth of vines that enhancing light penetration and reduced the relative humidity in vine microclimate which such condition is unacceptable for fangs development as cleared by Ramteke et al. (2017). In contrast, berry cracking and berry wrinkled percentages showed a positive trend with decreasing irrigation levels from 4569.6 to 2494.1 m3 feddan/year, where these characters reached a significant increase in vines irrigated with I3 followed by that irrigated with I2 levels, however, the lowest percentage was noticed with control (I1) vines, this trend was true during both study seasons.
Berry cracking is serious problems in grapes, where it is a physiological disorder of fruit surface leads to most important commercial
Table: (5) Effect of water irrigation levels and silicon, calcium and amino acids foliar applications on decayed berries, berry cracking and berry wrinkled of "Thompson seedless" grapevines during 2016 and 2017 seasons
Treatments
Berries
decay %
Berry cracking
%
Berry wrinkled
%
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
Irrigation main effect
I 1
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
1.37
1.25
1.08
0.271
1.80
1.67
1.16
0.127
1.99
4.60
10.60
2.011
1.73
4.78
9.55
1.819
1.05
2.13
5.67
0.858
1.13
3.73
7.31
0.940
Spray main effect
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
LSD at 5%
1.74
1.14
0.80
1.25
0.571
2.10
1.52
1.06
1.49
0.822
10.60
3.05
2.20
7.07
1.853
11.27
2.17
1.87
6.10
1.744
5.92
1.20
0.77
3.90
0.886
9.35
1.40
0.87
4.61
0.921
Interaction
I 1
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
1.85
1.17
0.92
1.55
1.75
1.16
0.93
1.14
1.62
1.10
0.55
1.06
2.62
1.67
1.27
1.62
2.05
1.71
1.25
1.68
1.63
1.19
0.65
1.17
5.30
0.00
0.00
2.65
10.60
1.20
1.30
5.30
15.90
7.95
5.30
13.25
4.50
0.00
0.00
2.40
12.30
1.20
1.40
4.20
17.00
5.30
4.20
11.70
3.10
0.00
0.00
1.10
4.30
1.01
1.00
2.20
10.37
2.60
1.30
8.40
2.40
0.00
0.00
2.12
8.22
1.30
1.20
4.20
17.42
2.90
1.40
7.50
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
0.240
0.280
1.213
1.098
1.015
1.295
I1, I2 and I3 = Irrigation at 30 (control), 50 and 70% depletion of available water, respectively.
S1, S2, S3 and S4 = Foliar application with water (control), Silicon, Calcium and Amino acids,respectively.
losses in grape production through reducing both yield and quality (Ramteke et al., 2017). Also berry wrinkled is a phenomenon that leads to
berry appearance is unacceptable for marketing. There are many factors affecting these phenomena as the deficit of water irrigation especially after veraison Bondada and Keller (2012).
As for foliar spray treatments, data of the same Table recorded that, all foliar spray applications were effective in reducing berry disorders (decayed, cracking and wrinkled) as compared to control. Calcium sprays (S3) were very effective in this respect followed by silicon spray (S2) however; the higher percentages of these parameters were cleared with control (spray with tap water) in the two study seasons. These results are in agreement with that of Ramteke et al. (2017) they concluded that, Calcium plays an important role in strengthening and stabilizing the cell wall and membrane structure which reducing these disorders.
Regarding the interaction, data of Table (5) cleared that, generally all spray treatments (S2, S3 and S4) significantly reduced the decayed berries, berry cracking and berry wrinkled percentages under all irrigation levels (I1, I2 andI3), especially calcium sprays when combined with I3 irrigation level which produced the lowest decayed berries in both seasons of the study. However, calcium (S2), as well as, silicon (S3) sprays in combined with irrigation at 30% depletion of available water (I1) were very effective, since it did not show any percent of berry cracking and wrinkled, on contrary, vines irrigated at 70% depletion of available water (I3) combined with control (water spray) showed the highest percentages of berry cracking and wrinkled. This trend was true in both seasons of the study. These results are in harmony with that of Yamamoto et al. (1990) and Ramteke et al. (2017) concluded that, there are several strategies can be used for the prevention of these disorders as monitoring water management, soil moisture and spraying of some micronutrient and Abd El-Rhman (2010) who reported that, fluctuation in soil moisture regimes and vine nutritional status can affect berry cracking and berry wrinkled. Moreover, Bhavya et al. (2011) reported that, foliar silicon supply on grapes showed great benefits as enhancing resistance against disease and drought. The positive effect of calcium and silicon on reducing decayed berries could be explained as the known role of calcium on cell wall, since Ca is involved in maintaining cell wall integrity by binding carboxyl groups of polygalacturonate chains, which are present in the middle lamella and primary cell wall, also binding of Si with cell-wall hemicelluloses which improved structural stability of fruits (Apaolaza, 2014).
Data of Table (6) illustrated that, irrigation at 30 and 50% depletion from soil available water (I1 and I2) cleared higher values of berry firmness and berry removal force without significant differences between them, however, irrigation at 70% depletion of available water (I3) showed the lowest values of these characters in both seasons of this study. In contrast, the same treatments (I1 and I2) showed the lowest percentage of shattered berries with no significant differences between them however, the highest value was achieved by vines irrigated with the I3 level in both seasons.
Table (6). Effect of water irrigation levels and silicon, calcium and amino acids foliar applications on berry firmness, berry removal force and shattered berries of "Thompson seedless" grapevines during 2016 and 2017 seasons
Treatments
Berry firmness
(Newton)
Berry removal force
(Newton)
Berries Shatter
%
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
Irrigation main effect
I 1
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
3.36
3.32
2.80
0.470
4.58
4.68
3.51
0.529
4.41
4.47
3.36
0.549
4.89
4.91
4.58
0.257
1.27
1.31
2.00
0.332
1.02
1.04
1.53
0.485
Spray main effect
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
LSD at 5%
2.89
3.28
3.49
2.99
0.261
3.81
4.54
4.64
4.02
0.252
3.88
4.23
4.22
3.98
0.302
4.34
5.10
5.16
4.59
0.272
1.78
1.40
1.31
1.61
0.543
1.67
0.94
0.74
1.43
0.703
Interaction
I 1
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
3.11
3.55
3.64
3.14
3.15
3.44
3.57
3.12
2.41
2.84
3.25
2.71
4.01
4.96
5.03
4.33
4.30
4.89
4.87
4.66
3.13
3.78
4.03
3.08
4.17
4.51
4.57
4.37
4.22
4.68
4.62
4.35
3.26
3.49
3.46
3.21
4.57
5.08
5.06
4.85
4.44
5.21
5.25
4.75
4.00
5.01
5.16
4.16
1.55
1.14
1.02
1.37
1.66
1.21
1.08
1.28
2.14
1.86
1.82
2.19
1.52
0.87
0.50
1.19
1.64
0.72
0.53
1.25
1.85
1.22
1.20
1.85
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
0.452
0.591
0.343
1.023
1.434
0.382
I1, I2 and I3 = Irrigation at 30 (control), 50 and 70% depletion of available water, respectively.
S1, S2, S3 and S4 = Foliar application with water (control), Silicon, Calcium and Amino acids,respectively.
The same results were found by Chaves et al. (2007) concluded that, we can decrease the amount of water applied by 50% of available soil water without negative effects on different berries quality of Moscate and Castela grapevine varieties.
Foliar spray applications on the same Table (6) showed that, calcium (S2) and silicon (S3) foliar sprays had a positive effect in enhancing berry firmness, berry removal force with higher significant values and lower values of shattered berries, but unsprayed treatment (S1) recorded the highest values of shattered berries in both seasons of the study. These results are in agreement with that of several researchers they cleared beneficial effect of calcium Bonomelli and Rafael (2010), silicon Meena et al. (2014) and amino acids Khosroshahi et al. (2007) foliar sprays on grape berries firmness under different abiotic (salinity, drought and deficit water) stresses.
Regarding the interaction, it could be noticed that, vines under all irrigation treatments in combined with calcium foliar spray (S3) gave significantly higher berry firmness during the two seasons. The lower value of this character was noticed with vines treated with I3 combined with S1 in both seasons. However, vines irrigated with I2 in combined with S2 followed by S3 cleared higher values of berry removal force, on contrary the lower values were noticed in vines irrigated with I3 combined with unsprayed (S1) as well as amino acids spray (S4) without significant differences between them in both seasons. On the other hand, the higher percentages of shattered berries were noticed with I3 irrigation level combined with unsprayed (S1) and amino acids (S4) treatments. However, the lower values were observed with vines sprayed with calcium (S3) under all irrigation levels in both seasons. Our similar results are found by Amiriet al. (2009) concluded that, Calcium foliar spray reduced shattered berries of "Thompson seedless". Also, Ramteke et al. (2017) concluded that, calcium nutrient increased cell wall thickness and decreased the formation of the abscission layer that leads to reducing shattering.
3. Berries chemical quality parameters
As shown in Figure (1) it could be noticed that, berries SSC% increased with reducing irrigation water to 50% depletion of available water (I2) as compared with both control (I1) and irrigation at 70% depletion of available water (I3) in the two seasons of the study. By the second season, there are no differences between I1 and I3. In contrary, the titratable acidity of berry juice was reached the lowest percentages in vines irrigated with I2 in both seasons. SSC/acid ratio showed the same trend of SSC% in both seasons, where the highest ratio was found with irrigation at I2 level. These results are in agreement with those findings of Khosroshahi et al. (2007) and Keller et al. (2008) reported that, deficit irrigation levels enhanced SSC% of Cabernet Sauvignon berries under arid climate conditions. Also, Opazo et al. (2010) concluded that, moderate and severe water stress significant increased soluble solids grapevines cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. Moreover,
Figure(1): Effect of irrigation levels on berries SSC%, acidity and SSC/acid ratio of "Thompson seedless" grape during 2016 and 2017 seasons
Figure (2): Effect of foliar sprays on berries SSC%, acidity and SSC/acid ratio of "Thompson seedless" grape during 2016 and 2017 seasons
I1, I2 and I3 = Irrigation at 30 (control), 50 and 70% depletion of available water, respectively.
S1, S2, S3 and S4 = Foliar spray with water (control), Silicon, Calcium and Amino acids, respectively.
El-Sayed (2013) summarized that, deficit irrigation enhanced carbohydrate reserve to cluster and enhanced SSC versus acidity.
Regarding foliar spray treatments at Figure (2) it cleared that, berries SSC% of vines that sprayed with amino acids (S4) had the highest values as compared to the other treatments (S1, S2 andS3) during the two seasons of study. From the same figure, the highest berry acidity percent was obtained with amino acids spray followed by the control in both seasons. On the other hand, the highest SSC/acid ratio was found with foliar spray with S3 followed by S2 in the two study seasons. Similar findings were recorded by Ojeda et al. (2001) and Romero et al. (2015) and Khan et al. (2012) summarized that, multiple foliar applications of amino acids increased titratable acidity ratio (29%) and pH of juice (3%) of grape cv. ‘Perlette’.
Data of Interaction between irrigation and foliar spray treatments in Table (7) indicated that, vines irrigated by 50% depletion of soil available water combined spraying with amino acids vines (I2+ S4) gave the highest significant SSC% as compared with other treatments in both seasons. However, unsprayed treatment combined with both I1 and I3 showed the lower percent of SSC, this trend was true during the two seasons.
Berry juice acidity was affected by different foliar spray treatments, where vines irrigated with I2 combined with both S3 and S2 showed the lower percentages of acidity. However, vines irrigated control (I1) combined with amino acids (S4) sprays as well as that irrigated at I3 combined with S4 showed the higher berry acidity in the two seasons, respectively. By the second one, foliar application with S3 as well as S1 under irrigation levels of I1 and I2 showed the lower percent with no significant differences among all of them however, the higher values were obtained with the combination between I1 and S4. Data of berry juice SSC/acid ratio showed that, foliar spray with S3 and S2 on vines under I2 irrigation level showed the higher ratio in the first season, that trend was found with S1 and S3 in the second season. However, the lowest value was obtained with vines of I3 which sprayed with water (control) in both seasons. These results are in harmony with those obtained by El-Ansari et al. (2005) on table grapes cv. ‘Muscat of Alexandria’ under different irrigation regimes and Al-Obeed (2011) on "Flame seedless" grape sprayed with pre-harvest calcium chloride and amino acids.
4. Productivity of water irrigation (PIW)
The productivity of water irrigation is considered as an evaluation parameter of yield per Kg/m3 of irrigation water applied. Data of PIW illustrated in Table (8) cleared that, Thompson seedless vines irrigated at I2 and
Table (7): Interaction effect of water irrigation levels and silicon, calcium and amino acids foliar applications on berry SSC%, titratable acidity and SSC/ acid ratio of "Thompson seedless" grape during 2016 and 2017 seasons
Treatments
SSC
%
Titratable acidity
%
SSC/Acid
ratio
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
I 1
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
16.80
17.35
17.40
17.80
17.67
17.73
17.67
18.40
16.80
17.20
17.37
17.80
16.23
17.07
16.93
17.27
17.33
17.20
17.20
17.57
16.23
16.73
17.20
17.30
0.65
0.61
0.58
0.74
0.60
0.53
0.50
0.62
0.71
0.63
0.65
0.73
0.79
0.74
0.72
0.84
0.73
0.75
0.73
0.75
0.79
0.75
0.75
0.82
25.85
28.44
30.00
24.05
29.45
33.45
35.34
29.68
23.66
27.30
26.72
24.38
20.54
23.07
23.51
20.56
23.74
22.93
23.56
23.43
20.54
22.31
22.93
21.10
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
1.211
1.012
0.153
0.094
2.712
2.242
I1, I2 and I3 = Irrigation at 30 (control), 50 and 70% depletion of available water, respectively.
S1, S2, S3 and S4 = Foliar application with water (control), Silicon, Calcium and Amino acids,respectively.
I3 levels showed the higher values of PIW without significant differences between them in both seasons. This shows the possibility of using the second level (I2) without any effect on yield with the less irrigation water applied compared with I1. These results are reinforced by the results of Romero et al. (2015) they concluded that, it can decrease the amount of water applied by 50% without negative effects on yield of two grapevines Moscate and Castela varieties.
Data of the same Table (8) cleared that, foliar spray applications enhanced the use of irrigation water, where all sprayed substances (S2, S3 and S4) showed the highest values as compared to control, especially amino acids (S4) in both seasons. Interaction effect data in Table (8) cleared that, all spray treatments (S2, S3 and S4) combined with second and third irrigation levels (I2 and I3) showed the best results for productivity of irrigation water without significant difference among all of them in both seasons.
Table (8): Effect of water irrigation levels and silicon, calcium and amino acids foliar applications on productivity of irrigation water (PIW) during 2016 and 2017 seasons
Treatments
Productivity of water irrigation (PIW)
2016
2017
Irrigation main effect
I 1
I 2
I 3
LSD at 5%
1.73
2.79
2.26
0.242
1.86
2.97
2.45
0.271
Spray main effect
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
LSD at 5%
2.12
2.21
2.24
2.46
0.031
2.26
2.41
2.43
2.59
0.044
Interaction
I 1
I 2
I 3
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4
1.60
1.70
1.72
1.89
2.69
2.75
2.72
2.98
2.06
2.19
2.27
2.51
1.79
1.84
1.85
1.96
2.80
2.97
2.96
3.13
2.19
2.43
2.49
2.68
LSD at 5%
0.664
0.686
I1, I2 and I3 = Irrigation at 30 (control), 50 and 70% depletion of available water, respectively.
S1, S2, S3 and S4 = Foliar application with water (control), Silicon, Calcium and Amino acids,respectively.
CONCLUSION
According to the investigated results we can be concluded that, the moderate deficit irrigation water (50% depletion of soil available water) could be adopted in "Thompson seedless" vineyards under the study conditions without any major defect on productivity, clusters and berries characters, especially when it combined with amino acids foliar spray when shoots recorded 15-20 cm in length, after fruit set and continues every two weeks till veraison stage witch enhanced different clusters and berries physical and chemical quality characters. Moreover, it raised greatly the productivity of irrigation water which can be applied on irrigation systems under arid and semi-arid climate.
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