Influence of Wine Grape Cultivars on Growth and Leaf Blade and Petiole Mineral Nutrients

Cane growth, leaf blade area, blade and petiole fresh and dry weights and mineral nutrients of six grape ( Vitis vinifera ) cultivars were evaluated in 2000 and 2001 under climatic conditions of southwestern Idaho. The cultivars were: `Barbera 02', `Cabernet Sauvignon 02', `Cabernet Sauvignon 04', `Chardonnay 29', `Merlot 01', and `Sangiovese 04'. No differences were found in cane growth of different cultivars. `Sangiovese 04' and `Merlot 01' had larger leaf area and heavier leaves (both blades and petioles) and higher concentrations of blade nitrogen (N), while `Merlot 01' and `Chardonnay 29' had higher petiole nitrate-N than all other cultivars. `Merlot 01' had relatively the highest potassium (K) concentrations in both blade and petiole tissues. `Chardonnay 29' had lower concentration of calcium (Ca) and `Sangiovese 04' had lower concentrations of magnesium (Mg) in both blade and petiole tissues than other cultivars although differences were not always significant. `Barbera 02' had higher blade iron (Fe) and tended to have higher blade copper (Cu) than other cultivars. However, `Chardonnay 29' had higher petiole Fe than `Barbera 02', `Cabernet Sauvignon 04', and `Sangiovese 04'. `Merlot 01' had higher blade manganese (Mn) than `Sangiovese 04'.