Vine performance benchmarking of indigenous Cypriot grape varieties Xynisteri and Maratheftiko

Abstract

Aim: The aims of this study were to (1) formulate a baseline understanding of the performance of the indigenous Cypriot white grape Xynisteri and the red grape Maratheftiko (Vitis vinifera L.), and (2) compare these varieties to Shiraz and Sauvignon blanc grown in a Cypriot vineyard.Materials and results: The investigation involved multiple dry grown vineyards from the Krasochoria region of Lemesos, Cyprus, during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 vintages. Vine performance measurements, including midday stem water potential, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, stomata density, vine phenology and vegetative and reproductive measurements, were taken at flowering, veraison and pre-harvest. Xynisteri had the greatest stomatal density, more shoots, more leaves, heavier bunches, greater yield, higher leaf water potential at harvest, and a stomatal conductance equal to Maratheftiko, but greater than that of both Shiraz and Sauvignon blanc. Maratheftiko had the longest shoots, largest shoot diameter and the greatest chlorophyll content out of all four varieties.Conclusions: This study identified the ability of the indigenous Cypriot grape varieties, Xynisteri and Maratheftiko, to better tolerate hot and dry conditions when compared to more commonly cultivated varieties grown in the same environmental conditions.Significance and impact of the study: The changing climate of wine growing regions worldwide is placing great pressure on the resources for sustainable viticulture. Many vineyards in hot climate zones base their businesses on European grape varieties traditionally grown in regions with abundant water resources. It is therefore necessary for the global wine industry to investigate grape varieties that are indigenous to hot climates. The eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus is one such place, with more than 10 indigenous grape varieties that grow well in a hot climate without irrigation. Consumer studies have demonstrated that wines made from these Cypriot varieties are equally, if not more, acceptable than wines made from more traditional European grapes; therefore, the potential for their use in other hot wine growing regions is promising.

Assessing the growth response of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc to different irrigation regimes.

“…XP and MP had the largest shoot diameter and MP had the longest internode length with SBA the shortest (Table 3). These findings are consistent with the field trial data from Copper et al, (2020) where Xynisteri had the longest shoots and the largest shoot diameter and Maratheftiko had the least leaves per shoot and longest internode length.…”

“…While the results for 2020/21 were not conclusive, findings for 2019 were similar to those reported by Copper et al, (2020) who demonstrated that Xynisteri had higher stem water potential than Maratheftiko and Shiraz, while Sauvignon Blanc had the lowest stem water potential. Water potential has been widely used as an indicator of plant water status for irrigation management purposes (García-Tejera et al, 2021).…”

“…No significant differences between physiological measures and growth data at fruit set and harvest were found when comparing the three irrigation regimes in the commercial Xynisteri vineyard (Table 2 and Figure 5a, b, c). While the results for stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content and in particular water potential were not significantly different between the irrigation groups, they were however similar to those reported by Copper et al, (2020). It has been demonstrated that water potential measurements respond not only to water shortage but also to other factors including cultivar, environment, soil type and the relationships between canopy and root system (García- et al, 2021).…”

Responses to Drought Stress Modulate the Susceptibility to Plasmopara viticola in Vitis vinifera Self-Rooted Cuttings

“…It is to be expected that both cultivars have different mechanisms to cope with drought stress. The native cultivar Xynisteri is well-adapted to drought [ 45 , 46 ], while the drought-sensitive cultivar Chardonnay [ 32 ], which originates from French valleys with humid conditions, probably lacks adaptations to quickly cope with drought stress [ 45 ]. The higher basal activity of antioxidant enzymes (POD and SOD) and the higher basal levels of proline in Xynisteri may be part of its basal toolset to cope with oxidative stress.…”

“…In 2014, Xynisteri and Chardonnay covered 30.2% and 1.6% of the circa 6142 ha viticultural area of Cyprus, respectively [ 8 ]. The clone of Chardonnay is unknown and, to our knowledge, no clones of Xynisteri have been identified [ 46 ]. Sixty self-rooted cuttings of each cultivar were planted in 8-litre polyethylene pots containing soil originating from the traditional vineyard area in Limassol.…”