Effects of subsurface irrigation on roots and fruit quality of wine grapes:A review

LU Yumeng; LUO Xinyi; YE Jiajun; YANG Yarui; ZHAO Junyue; WANG Rui

doi:10.13522/j.cnki.ggps.2025096

Abstract：Water scarcity has become a constraint on sustainable agricultural development worldwide,which has promoted research into optimization of and application of efficient water-saving irrigation technologies.Since subsurface irrigation can reduce evaporative losses,minimize soil structure disturbance,and increase water use efficiency,it has potential for application in economic crops.Wine grape is a cash crop,but its growth is sensitive to soil water.Irrigation thus has a pronounced influence on the growth,yield,and berry quality of the grapes.Since roots are the primary organs for water and nutrient acquisition,their spatial distribution and growth play a crucial regulatory role in plant productivity and fruit quality formation.This paper systematically reviews the water movement patterns and technical adaptability differences of subsurface drip irrigation systems under different soil textures,as well as their regulatory mechanisms on the root distribution characteristics and root vitality of wine grapes.It focuses on elaborating the impact effects and intrinsic correlations of subsurface drip irrigation on key quality indicators such as sugar accumulation,organic acid metabolism,anthocyanin synthesis,and phenolic and characteristic flavor substances in berries through the regulation of root functions.Research results show that an improved design and management of subsurface irrigation can optimize root spatial distribution,enhance root absorption capacity and metabolic activity,and significantly improve water and nutrient use efficiency.These factors combine to promote sugar accumulation and stimulate the biosynthesis of key quality-related compounds,such as anthocyanins,in grape berries,thereby contributing to targeted and controllable improvements in wine grape quality.Future research should focus on systematically elucidating soil-water-plant interactions,the influence of environmental factors under subsurface irrigation,and enhancing the adaptability and site-specific optimization of subsurface irrigation for diverse viticultural regions.Such efforts will help develop precision irrigation and support the high-quality,high-efficiency,and sustainable development of the wine grape industry.