This study aimed to measure the variation of soil and leaf water potential in the Sugraone (Superior Seedless) grape, as well as the berry growth, under different irrigation conditions in the Fazenda Agrobrás Tropical do Brazil S/A, in Casa Nova, BA, in October, 2007 during maturation stage. The Superior Seedless cultivar was irrigated at 21, 13 e 5 days before harvest with water depths of 100, 50 e 0% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and an additional treatment consisting of the farmer management. The results of leaf water potential using a pressure chamber and the respective soil matric potential from tensiometric readings are shown. Measurements of leaf water potential reached values from -0,95 to -1,80 MPa, at noon and from -0,10 to -0,27 MPa, at pre-dawn. Soil water matric potential varied from -5 to -79,5 kPa, for the least water deficient treatments. Results from leaf water potential show that in some days the plants were under moderate stress and in others under severe stress, independently of water deficit treatments. Although pre-dawn leaf water potential indicated that the vines were under mild stress or under adequate water management practices, even under low soil matric potentials, there was no significant reduction in berry growth.
Vitis vinifera L; water stress; soil-plant-water relationships
