Abstract
Grapevines’ (Vitis vinifera) micronutrient toxicity symptoms were examined by adding Fe, Mn, Mo, or Zn salts to water in order to form a fertilized solution. This experiment was performed in order to find the point of toxicity in V. vinifera of the micronutrients, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn, to help understand the process of grapevine growth. Beginning with grapevine cuttings the vines were planted in a mix of peat, perlite, and potting soil, with minimal nutrients, and fertilized with a macronutrient fertilizer containing optimal macronutrients. Once rooted and having the excess macronutrients, P, K, and N available, the vines were then watered with concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 mM micronutrient solution. All of the treatments still had a fixed level of macronutrients. The effect of the concentrations on plant size was assessed through biomass, height, leaf amount, leaf width. The effect of micronutrients on chlorophyll synthesis was compared using the ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b. No significant trends in the relationship between micronutrients and plant traits were found. When comparing treatment groups to controls, all controls out performed any all measurements other than leaf width. Controls were significantly greater in biomass, height, and leaf amount suggesting that perhaps all concentrations micronutrients examined had some detrimental effect. A solid frame for further research in comparing treatment groups would be to increase concentration levels. This research gives a clear methodical approach on how to find these levels in iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc, as well as any other micronutrients for V. vinifera.