Deacclimation kinetics as a quantitative phenotype for delineating the dormancy transition and thermal efficiency for budbreak in Vitis species

Bud dormancy and cold hardiness are critical adaptations for surviving winter cold stress for temperate perennial plant species. In grapevine, acquisition of cold hardiness requires dormancy induction in the early winter and careful maintenance of dormancy state throughout winter. With sufficient exposure to low, non-freezing temperatures (chilling requirement), grapevine buds transition between early (endodormant) and late winter (ecodormant) states. The objective of this study was to uncover the relationship between fulfilment of the chilling requirement and the effects of various temperatures on loss of cold hardiness (deacclimation). The relationship between chilling requirement and temperature as it affects the rate of deacclimation (k(deacc)) was examined for dormant cuttings of Vitis vinifera, V. aestivalis, V. amurensis and V. riparia. The effect of temperature on k(deacc) was exponential at low and logarithmic at high temperatures. Deacclimation rates also increased in magnitude as chilling accumulated demonstrating a change in deacclimation potential (Ψ(deacc)), following a logarithmic response. The combination of Ψ(deacc) and k(deacc) indicates genotype-specific thermal efficiency for deacclimation and growth in Vitis that may be overlooked by simple growing degree-day computations. The Ψ(deacc) and k(deacc) parameters are genotype-specific and will greatly increase the refinement of models predicting effects of climate change on phenology. Deacclimation rates represent a quantitative determinant of dormancy transition and budbreak in grapevine and will assist researchers in selecting germplasm for differences in chilling requirement and thermal efficiency.