THE COLD HARDINESS OF SOME VARIETIES OF GRAPEVINE CULTIVATED IN THE VITICULTURAL AREA PLENITA (SOUTHWESTERN ROMANIA)

Abstract

The study shows the results concerning the assessment of the vulnerability of wine varieties to critical temperature conditions in the autumn-winter period: Italian Riesling, Sauvignon, Tamaioasa romaneasca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Feteasca neagra and Syrah. In order to evaluate the conditions for vine hibernation in the studied area we preceded the evaluation of climatic parameters with thermal stress potential on vines during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 dormant seasons, namely: the frequency and level of minimum critical temperatures, the duration and intensity of frost. The critical hibernation conditions during the two dormant periods have caused considerable losses of buds for all the studied varieties. The biggest damages of primary and secondary buds were recorded after the 2014-2015 dormant season, period during which they recorded the most intense freezing as the minimum critical level of temperature and duration.