XVI International Botanical Congess

A study of water and hormone relations in a range of horticultural plants has resulted in the development of a model which describes the physiological mechanisms operating in these crops which control transpiration. Using this information, we have developed a commercially viable irrigation system for grapevines which reduces vegetative vigour and improves water use efficiency. We have called the technique Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD) and it requires that the roots are simultaneously exposed to both wet and dry soil. This results in the stimulation of some of the responses normally associated with water stress but does not result in changes in plant water status. Commercial-scale trials are currently being evaluated