Vine and berry response of merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) to differential water stress

Merlot vines were drip-irrigated with 100, 70, or 35% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) or 35% ET until veraison followed by 70% ETc until harvest. Midday leaf water potential (T) differed among irrigation regimes and ranged from -0.9 to -1.7 MPa, with a 0.3 to 0.5 MPa difference between 35 and 100% ETc. Decline in shoot growth, berry size, cluster weight, yield, trunk growth, cluster number, and berry titratable acidity corresponded with a decline in psi. Increasing irrigation from 35 to 70% ET, at veraison consumed 30% less water producing similar yield and quality as the 70% ETc treatment.