Impact of Kaolin Particle Film and Water Deficit on Wine Grape Water Use Efficiency and Plant Water Relations

Water use efficiency (WUE) and response of grape vines (Vitis vinifera L. cvs. 'Cabernet Sauvignon', 'Merlot', and 'Viognier') to a particle film treatment (PFT) under varying levels of applied water were evaluated in Victoria, Australia, and southwestern Idaho. Vines that received the least amount of water had the warmest canopy or leaf surface temperature and the lowest (more negative) leaf water potential, stomata! conductance (g(S)), transpiration (E), and photosynthesis (A). Vines with plus-PFT had cooler leaf and canopy temperature than non-PET vines; however, temperature difference resulting from irrigation was greater than that resulting from PFT. In well-watered vines, particle film application increased leaf water potential and lowered g(S). Point-in-time measurements of WUE (A/E) and g(S) did not consistently correspond with seasonal estimates of WUE based on carbon isotope discrimination of leaf or shoot tissue. The response of vines with particle film to undergo stomatal closure and increase leaf water potential conserved water and enhanced WUE under non-limiting soil moisture conditions and the magnitude of response differed according to cultivar.