The present research was conducted to evaluate the technological maturation and the size parameters (diameter, length and volume) of berries subjected to different soil water conditions and water consumption of grapevines, cultivated within a protected environment. The plants were from Vitis vinifera L., 'Itália' cultivar, grafted on '420A', trained on a discontinuous trellis system and total covered with a plastic woven of polypropylene sealed with polyethylene (160μm). Treatments were comprised of specific contents of soil water availability, where the control (T1) was kept under field capacity conditions with a soil water matrix potential (ψm) of -33.34 kPa. The other treatments were represented by ψm limits of -42.12 kPa (T2), -76.28 kPa (T3) and -94.32 kPa (T4). When the ψm limits were reached the irrigation was performed up to the field capacity condition. The treatments T3 and T4 anticipated the phenological cycle and the technological maturation of berries, but reduced the berry volume and the relative content of total soluble solids, in comparison to the control. In contrast, moderated drought (T2) coupled with greater efficiency of water use by plants and was the best condition to improve the quality of grapes and water saving
Vitis vinifera; technological maturation; berry; water stress
