Cold hardiness of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ primary buds during deacclimation in the Chihuahuan Desert highlands

Elizabeth Hernández-Ordoñez; Jesús Antonio Orozco-Avitia; Aldo Gutierrez; Angel-Javier Ojeda-Contreras; Dámaris Leopoldina Ojeda-Barrios; Alfonso A. Gardea

doi:10.55779/nsb18212819

Authors

Elizabeth Hernández-Ordoñez Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH), Facultad de Ciencias Agrotecnológicas, Av. Universidad S/N Campus 1, Chihuahua, Chih., México, 31310 (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9794-4184
Jesús Antonio Orozco-Avitia Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Unidad Hermosillo, Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazarán Rosas, No 46, Hermosillo, Son. 83304 (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6366-4435
Aldo Gutierrez Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Unidad Hermosillo, Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazarán Rosas, No 46, Hermosillo, Son. 83304 (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6499-8736
Angel-Javier Ojeda-Contreras Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Unidad Hermosillo, Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazarán Rosas, No 46, Hermosillo, Son. 83304 (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7191-5660
Dámaris Leopoldina Ojeda-Barrios Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH), Facultad de Ciencias Agrotecnológicas, Av. Universidad S/N Campus 1, Chihuahua, Chih., México, 31310 (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6559-4485
Alfonso A. Gardea Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Unidad Guaymas. Carretera a Varadero Nacional km 6.6, Col. Las Playitas, Guaymas, Sonora (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6842-2678

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb18212819

Keywords:

bud phenophases, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, cold resistance, freezing injury, Vitis vinifera

Abstract

The rapid and successful expansion of wine grape vineyards in the semiarid highlands of the Chihuahuan Desert warrants attention due to the risk of spring freezing events during budbreak, which can result in significant crop losses. Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ accounts for the largest acreage in this emerging industry; therefore, determining its cold hardiness is essential for developing effective frost control strategies. Plant material was collected from the vineyard and subjected to controlled freezing tests at −1, −4, −7, −10, and −13 °C, following overnight storage at +4 °C. Freezing injury was evaluated using the tissue browning method, and buds were assessed at three phenophases. The results indicate that the temperature required to kill 50% of the buds varied depending on the developmental stage. Buds with no visible growth (putatively at the ecodormant/deacclimating stage) reached this threshold at −13 °C, compared to swollen buds at −5.4 °C and green tips at −2.4 °C. Coefficients of determination were above 0.95 in all cases. These results are generally consistent with those reported for other V. vinifera cultivars, but indicate lower cold tolerance compared to V. labrusca. Such information is critical for supporting management decisions aimed at improving frost protection, reducing vine injury, and guiding vineyard establishment in marginal growing areas.

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