Effect of calcareous soil on photosynthesis rate, mineral nutrition, and source-sink ratio of table grape

Vitis vinifera L. cv Aurora grafted on S.O.4 (medium lime-tolerance) rootstock was grown in pot with a high-carbonate-soil and a low-carbonate-soil. The aim of the trial was to check soil effect on some physiological features such as leaf chlorophyll (Chl) concentration and gas exchange, whole-canopy gas exchange, mineral nutrition, dry matter partitioning, and technological grape parameters. Measurements for whole-canopy gas exchange were taken using a custom-built, flow-through whole-canopy gas exchange system set up to run continuous, automated, and simultaneous net carbon exchange rate (NCER) readings of four canopies. The most significant findings were: (a) high-carbonate-soil decreased leaf and whole canopy photosynthesis, grape yield, and total dry matter production; (b) high-carbonate-soil increased the distribution share of dry matter in the trunk and roots, as compared to the low-carbonate-soil, and decreased the share of dry matter in the clusters; and (c) lime-stress conditions affected mineral nutrition, especially P and K concentrations, which were depressed in most of the organs.