EFFECT OF THE MIST MICRO-SPRAY TIME ON PHOTOSYNTHETIC SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY OF GRAPE CANOPY

ABSTRACT In grape, high temperatures and low humidity prolong midday depression of foliar photosynthesis and dramatically reduce fruit yield. In this study, we explored the effects of various mist micro-spray treatments on grape photosynthesis at a test site in Shanshan County (N, 42.91°; E, 90.30°), Turpan, Xinjiang, China. We tested four different mist micro-spray durations including 1 h (WP1), 2 h (WP2), 3 h (WP3), and 0 h (CK). WP1, WP2, and WP3 affected canopy air temperature and humidity for 5 h, 7 h, and 9 h, respectively. At 12:30, WP1, WP2, and WP3 had the strongest cooling effect and altered temperature by −5.12 °C, −5.09 °C, and −5.17 °C respectively. The relative chlorophyll content was higher in the upper than the lower canopy leaves. There were no differences in the same leaf layers across treatments. The net photosynthesis and transpiration rates and stomatal conductance were higher for the upper than the lower canopy leaves. Compared with CK, the mist micro-spray treatments mitigated “midday depression” in the upper leaves and eliminated it altogether in the lower leaves. Mist micro-spray for 1 h d-1 most effectively improved grape leaf photosynthesis. The findings of the present study lay an empirical foundation for improving grape leaf photosynthesis and fruit yield.