Effect of Water Deficit on Photosynthetic and Other Physiological Responses in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling) Plants

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling) plants subjected to water deficit were studied for changes in relative water content (RWC), leaf dry mass, contents of chlorophyll (Chl), total leaf proteins, free amino acids, and proline, and activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC), nitrate reductase (NR), and protease. In water-stressed plants RWC, leaf dry matter, Chl content, net photosynthetic rate (PN), and RuBPC and NR activities were significantly decreased. The total leaf protein content also declined with increase in the accumulation of free amino acids. Concurrently, the protease activity in the tissues was also increased. A significant two-fold increase in proline content was recorded.