Using the Trephor tool, approximately 200 micro-cores were collected from grapevine (Vitis vinifera) stems in vineyards near Naples in southern Italy between February 23 and August 31, 2022. Samples were collected in three areas with different treated rootstocks: natural without intervention (NAT), sowing of other plants under the vine
(different grass species) (SEM), and treated vines with soil amendment (LAV). Microscopic slides were made from the micro-cores. They contained phloem, cambium and wood. Cross sections of the tissue were examined using a Zeiss Axio Imager 2 light microscope and the ZEN Pro 3.3 image analysis software. The number of cells in the cambium and wood formation phases (zones with cells in the stages of post-cambial growth, cell wall deposition and lignification, and maturation) were measured. The data obtained were analysed and the relationships between wood formation and cultivation (soil treatment) were assessed, taking into account climatic conditions. Cambium activity started on May 3, 2022 in SEM and NAT and in mid-May in LAV. All vessels and fibres were fully differentiated by August 31. The average width of tree rings in 2022 was 1119.24 μm (LAV), 775.79 μm (SEM), and 654.6 μm (NAT). In 2022, the average annual temperature was 15.12 °C and the total precipitation was 1191.8 mm.
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