Simultaneous in situ monitoring of belowground, trunk and relative canopy hydraulic conductance of grapevine demonstrates a soil texture-specific transpiration control.

Understanding the interplay between belowground, trunk, and canopy hydraulics is crucial to grasp how grapevines (Vitis vinifera) adapt to drought under varying soil conditions.

In our last paper (Delval et al., 2024), Louis explored these dynamics by measuring soil, trunk, and canopy water potentials, along with transpiration and atmospheric demand. The findings revealed that transpiration is primarily constrained by belowground hydraulic conductance, rather than trunk xylem cavitation. Interestingly, stomatal closure in grapevines occurred at consistent belowground hydraulic conductance levels, regardless of soil type, highlighting how vines coordinate short-term hydraulic responses with longer-term growth adjustments based on soil texture.

Full paper here: https://oeno-one.eu/article/view/8257