Viticulture is the science and practice of grape growing. Among the many intriguing features of this tour, phenology—the study of plant growth stages—takes the spotlight. The shift from bud dormancy to budburst is a critical stage in a grapevine's lifetime, marking the start of active development. This essential transition has an impact not just on harvest quality, but also vineyard management techniques.
In this article, we will dig into the complexities of grapevine phenology, specifically the variables that influence bud dormancy and cause budburst. Whether you're a viticulturist looking for the best yield or an enologist curious about the science behind your favourite vintage, this book will highlight the critical relationship between nature and nurture in viticulture.
In temperate climes, vines are often thought to be dormant during the winter. Although the vine as a whole can be considered dormant when it lacks leaves, the stage of bud dormancy is of greatest interest for vine management.
Bud Dormancy
An individual grapevine bud experiences three stages of dormancy:
conditional dormancy, organic dormancy, and enforced hibernation. (It should be
noted that these phases have been given different names).
Conditional dormancy refers to the status of freshly developed buds
during the spring and summer.
Regardless of good conditions, buds will not burst during organic
dormancy, which is most intense in the beginning of autumn. The change from
conditional to organic dormancy occurs in January (in the southern hemisphere),
when the days begin to shorten, coinciding with periderm formation and a
slowdown or cessation of shoot growth.
When buds are in the third phase of enforced dormancy, they do not burst
in the field due to insufficient air temperature. A grapevine bud's transition
from organic to enforced dormancy requires extremely little freezing (unlike
most other woody perennial plants), therefore organic dormancy in each bud
lasts just 2 to 3 months. As a result, buds are forced to go into dormancy for
the majority of the winter. For enforced dormancy to be lifted and budburst to
occur, the air temperature must exceed a specific minimum that varies by
variety.
Whole vine
winter dormancy
Vine leaves drop off around the conclusion of the growing season in autumn. As the temperature drops more, vines go through a series of activities to prepare for 'shutting down' during the winter months. These changes include:
- decreased water levels in tissues,
- increased soluble proteins in bark,
- enzyme adjustments for temperature variations,
- changes to cell membrane functionality.
Vines prepare themselves with the biological equivalent of 'anti-freeze'
to guarantee that live tissue stays for the next spring's growth. When vine
tissues freeze, the cells may rupture or damage cell contents or membranes,
destroying enzymes and other proteins that control metabolic activity. Freezing
damage to buds can have an impact on the vine's future growth and fruitfulness.
Even while dormant, vines remain active. They do not photosynthesise
since they lack leaves, but they do respire to perform essential metabolic
activities. At this stage, carbohydrates accumulated in the roots, trunk, and
cordons from the previous growing season, primarily as starch, serve as their
source of energy. Dormant vines must rely on stored leaf fall reserves to
survive. For the first month of spring, fresh shoot growth is entirely
dependent on these reserves.
Budburst
Dormant buds grow as a result of the start of expansion of internodes,
leaves, and other structures created in the previous season, which was
initially caused by cell expansion. Later cell division occurs when the apical
meristem resumes activity and new nodes emerge.
Once buds are driven into dormancy, they just require sufficiently high
temperatures to burst. Note that buds will reach this stage in most temperate
areas by early winter, therefore buds may burst prematurely in the event of
unseasonably warm weather. However, there is always the risk of low temperature
harm to bursting buds and new shoots.
Factors
affecting the timing of Budburst
- Temperature: Temperature has a significant impact on each
variety, with a consistent summation beginning in mid-winter. Budburst occurs
earlier as temperatures rise in the later part of the winter. The number of
buds that burst per day is significantly associated with the day's mean air
temperature.
- Variety: Budburst patterns remain consistent across
climates and seasons. For example, Chardonnay always explodes somewhat early,
while Cabernet Sauvignon always bursts quite late.
- Root
temperature: Budburst date
correlates positively with soil temperature in the root zone. A soil
temperature of 25oC will result in earlier budburst than 12oC.
This relationship affects vineyard site selection and soil management.
Well-drained, rocky or calcareous soils warm up faster in spring than wetter,
clay soils, therefore they are favoured in cool areas to extend the growth
season and enhance the likelihood of ripening.
- Other
factors: Other aspects to
consider include rootstock genotype, previous season's cultural practices,
timing of winter pruning, and use of growth regulators such hydrogen cyanamide
to impact budburst.
Useful references:
- Mullins, M.G., Bouquet, A., Williams, E. 1992. Biology of the grapevine. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Nicholas, P. 2003. Soil, irrigation and nutrition. Grape Production Series No. 2. Adelaide: Winetitles.
- Gladstones, J. 1992. Viticulture and Environment. Adelaide: Winetitles.
- Coombe, B.G., Dry, P.R. 1992.
Viticulture Volume 2, Adelaide: Winetitles.
Product or service information is offered to help the viticulture
industry learn about available resources and should not be regarded as a
recommendation.
Keywords: Grapevine, Phenology, Dormancy, Bud dormancy, Budburst, Viticulture.
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