Dynamics of soil moisture in vineyards under water and thermal stress conditions

Abstract

At the Copou -Iasi viticulture center, in recent years we witnessed a decrease in the multi -annual average rainfall regime, this being of 579.6 mm and of 398.1 mm (1981-2010) during the vegetation period. Between 1992 -2014, the driest years were 2000, 2007, 2009 and 2012. Drought conditions were also in 2015 and 2016, having different characteristics. In 2015, there were few precipitations accompanied by high temperatures, often above 30°C. The amounts of rainfall recorded in 2016 were very unevenly distributed, thus there were recorded months with very low quantities, well below the normal values and months when quantities were higher than the normal values. Low rainfall and high temperatures have led to a sharp decline in accessible soil moisture values, well below optimal humidity levels for the vine, and to increased deficit.