Soil and Regulated Deficit Irrigation Affect Growth, Yield and Quality of ‘Nero d’Avola’ Grapes in a Semi-Arid Environment

The present work studied the effect of two consecutive years of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) compared to rain fed management on the vegetative growth, yield, and quality of ‘Nero d’Avola’ grapes. The trial was conducted separately in two soils (vertisol and entisol) located at the top and bottom hillside of the same vineyard. Vertisol was characterized by greater depth, organic matter, exchangeable K(2)O, and total N than entisol. RDI was based on an irrigation volume at 25% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ET(c)) up to end of veraison and 10% of estimated ET(c) up to 15 days before harvest. Predawn water potential (PDWP) was used as indicator of plant water status and irrigation timing. No difference in irrigation management was evident between vertisol and entisol. Under Mediterranean climate conditions, RDI was able to enhance grape yield and vegetative growth, especially in vertisol, but it reduced berry titratable acidity and total anthocyanins. ‘Nero d’Avola’ showed to adapt to drought conditions in the open field. Both soil type and irrigation regimes may provide opportunities to obtain different ‘Nero d’Avola’ wine quality and boost typicality.