INFLUENCE OF SODIUM-CHLORIDE ON THE COMPO SITION OF BERRIES IN HYDROPONICALLY GROWN GRAPEVINES

Plants of Vitis vinifera Cabernet Sauvignon clone no. 161 grafted on r ootstock 101-14 M.G. clone no. 13 were grown hydroponically for 3 year s in a balanced nutrient solution, in the presence of 6, 40 and 80 meq . l-1 of NaCl.6 and 40 meq . l-1 of sodium chloride in the nutrient s olution had beneficial effects on the plant biomass, and also on the y ield, but growth and yield of berries were impaired by 80 meq . l-1 Na Cl doses, whereas maturation occurred earlier. The concentration of su gar and tartaric acid increased with the sodium chloride dose whereas phenolic compounds, tannins and malic acid decreased. Total acidity wa s rather constant.