Variation in physiology and vegetative development of different Vitis genotypes under the ecological conditions of a continental climate

Abstract

Multidisciplinary studies have alerted agriculturists to the urgency of implementing mitigation strategies against the pernicious effects of global climate change, which introduces new threats and challenges. The selection of the most suitable genotype is a primary strategy for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change. This study was conducted to evaluate different grapevine genotypes for their specific physiological and vegetative characteristics in a continental climate region. The genotypes belonging to various Vitis species exhibited significant variation in terms of stomatal conductance (gs), leaf temperature (T_leaf), chlorophyll content, and shoot growth features. Among the studied genotypes, the autochthonous cultivar Ispitiran was distinguished by its more stable gs and more favorable leaf temperature during the summer period. The 5 BB rootstock stood out with its higher gs and T_leaf values. The gs of the cultivars tended to decrease during the hot midsummer, while Ispitiran maintained more stable gs levels. The Isabella cultivar was notable for its greater chlorophyll content in the leaf. Rootstocks demonstrated higher shoot growth compared to the cultivars. The highest shoot diameter was observed in the Ispitiran cultivar. These findings are expected to inform future studies related to genotypic selection for breeding and grape production purposes, contributing to precision viticulture under the adverse effects of climate change.