Cumulative response of Tempranillo vines to the crop forcing technique and pre-forcing and post-veraison water stress in terms of yield and grape and wine quality

Abstract Elevated temperatures during berry ripening are detrimental to grape quality. The crop forcing technique (summer pruning that ‘forces’ the vine start a new cycle) increases must acidity and malic acid concentration at harvest by delaying date of veraison. However, little information is available on sensitivity water stress forced vines. A 3-year trial was conducted test three irrigation strategies in vines: minimum threshold mid-day stem potential (? s ) ?0.75 MPa before (DI), ? ?1.2 only after veraison (RDI), combination both treatments (DI + RDI). Results were compared non-forced treatment with (C-RDI). Must increased, pH decreased treatments. yield reduced 35% requirements increased 20% when comparing unforced As result, use efficiency Only dry spring did the, DI (11%) RDI (30%) treatments, save C-RDI treatment. Moreover, although never fell below MPa, significant negative correlation ( R 2 = 0.76) found between integral vines number bunches per vine. Post-veraison polyphenol content wine. Our findings suggest extremely sensitive even mild stress.