Leaf phenolics, physiological activity and abiotic stress relationship induced by slope in grapevine: Vitis vinifera ‘Adakarası’
摘要
This study investigated the effects of slope–induced abiotic stresses on leaf phenolic compounds, physiological activity, and stress responses in the autochthonous grapevine cultivar Vitis vinifera ‘Adakarası’, native to Türkiye's Thrace Region. The experiment was conducted in 2024 at the Tekirdağ Viticulture Research Institute on a 10.17% slope gradient vineyard with elevations from 47.45 to 55.46 m above sea level, divided into lower (LS), middle (MS), and upper (US) positions. Grapevines were grafted onto 5BB rootstock, trained in a bilateral cordon system, and managed under rainfed conditions. Physiological measurements, including net photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E), and water use efficiencies (A/gs and A/E), were taken 11 times under varying climatic conditions (air temperature 30–38 °C, relative humidity 26%–50%, photosynthetically active radiation 600–1800 µmol m⁻2 s⁻1). Leaf samples were collected for analysis of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, total), proline, abscisic acid, total phenolics, tannins, antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and individual phenolics via HPLC. Results showed a stress gradient: US grapevines exhibited lower A and gs but higher water use efficiencies, indicating conservative water–use strategy. Chlorophyll (Chl) contents decreased upslope, while Chl a/b ratio, ABA, total phenolics, and tannins increased. Individual phenolics like gallic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, epicatechin, rutin, and kaempferol accumulated more in MS and US. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering separated positions, with US associated with stress markers. Bivariate correlations revealed negative links between A and ABA/WUEi/phenolics, highlighting trade–offs between carbon assimilation and defense. Findings underscore Vitis vinifera ‘Adakarası’s drought resilience, with slope modulating physiology and secondary metabolism, relevant for Mediterranean viticulture under climate change.