Abstract
The effect of potassium (K)‐calcium (Ca) ratios on the cation nutrition of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Négrette was investigated on grafted vines grown hydroponically to gain a deeper insight into the origin of the lack of acidity of some wines. Four nutrient solutions were investigated for long duration experiments: a balanced K‐Ca nutrient solution (K=3.9 meq L‐1 ; Ca=4.8 meq L‐1) used as a reference, a low K (K=0.3 meq L‐1; Ca=8.4 meq L‐1) and a high K (K=7.1 meq L‐1; Ca=1.6 meq L‐1) nutrient solutions. Besides, the reference nutrient solution was enriched with Ca (K=3.9 meq L‐1; Ca=13.8 meq L‐1) so as to simulate the possible effects of liming. The experiments showed that, in spite of low K requirements, the high K storage capacity of cultivar Négrette might account for the low acidity of the wines. However, a strong Ca‐K antagonism was characterized: the Ca enrichment of the reference nutrient solution resulted in a 30% decrease in the K concentration of leaf blades and petioles. Liming can thus limit K uptake by the plant and contribute to increased acidity of the wines issued from cultivars grown in acid soils.