Physiological and Yield Response of Grapevine (Vitis Vinifera L. ) exposed to elevated CO2 concentrations in a Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE)

Plants of Vitis vinifera (cv. Sangiovese) were submitted to elevated carbon dioxide concentrations in the field, using a FACE array; the experiment took place in a vineyard in Central Italy, throughout two growth seasons. The effects of fumigation on productivity, product quality and plant water relations were evaluated. Both vegetative growth and yield were increased, while no differences were evidenced in plant phenology. A significant decrease in stomatal conductance did not result in marked differences in leaf water potential, while osmotic adjustment induced by elevated CO2 in leaves was evident at the final stage of the growing season, but such an observation was year dependent.