Chitosan Improves Morphological and Physiological Attributes of Grapevines Under Deficit Irrigation Conditions

This study aimed to estimate the morphological and physiological effects of chitosan foliar spray and/or three irrigation levels of 100%, 60%, and 40% of field capacity on grapevines grown in plastic containers to simulate water shortage conditions. The results showed that water irrigation deficit significantly reduced leaf area, trunk cross-sectional area, plant dry weight, root dry weight, relative chlorophyll content, leaf total carbohydrates, catalase activity, leaf midday water potential (ψ), relative water content (RWC), and crop evapotranspiration (ET_c), but increased the proline content. Under well-watered condition, foliar-applied chitosan, in particular, 5 and 10 g·dm⁻³ increased plant growth and biomass production compared with untreated plants. Also, chitosan sprays during deficit irrigation conditions significantly improved plant tolerance to water deficit by enhancing the morphological and physiological parameters of grapevines. The results of this work suggest the opportunity to grow grapevines under deficit irrigation conditions using chitosan foliar spray. Increased plant biomass and root weight, and the positive impacts of chitosan as antitranspirant on increased ψ, RWC, and decreased ET_c play the main role in drought stress avoidance mechanisms in grapevines raised under moderate deficit irrigation conditions.