Regulated Deficit Irrigation and Its Effects on Yield and Quality of Vitis vinifera L., Touriga Francesa in a Hot Climate Area (Douro Region, Portugal)

Under a climate change scenario, vineyards will experience serious challenges in the future. In an attempt to overcome such difficulties, this experiment offers study on effect of regulated deficit irrigation as method for short-term adaptation cv. Touriga Francesa, grafted into rootstock 110R Douro region during three-year period. Water stress plant and its effects canopy, production, quality musts were analyzed. Rainfed vines (R0) compared three regimes function estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc): R25 (25% ETc), R50 (50% R75 (75% ETc). was applied weekly basis whenever predawn water potential showed moderate until 15 days prior harvest. The results suggest that rainfed plants under these circumstances suffered, general, negative impact vine performance, while had more favorable fruit composition, well yield. Nonetheless, further studies should be conducted did not show consistent yield or berry composition.