Impacts of climate change on selected agrobiological and technological traits of the ‘Fetească Neagră’ cultivar: A comparative study of the Murfatlar vineyard (Romania) and the Codru wine region (Republic of Moldova)

Abstract

Over the past decade, shifts in key climatic parameters in both wine-growing regions have brought notable changes to the agrobiological behavior of the indigenous ‘Fetească Neagră’ cultivar. These include a shorter vegetative period, an earlier onset of full ripening, and an advance in the grape harvest date. Traits such as fertility, productivity, and resilience to stress factors (drought, pathogen pressure) are directly shaped by these climatic shifts. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the evolution of principal climatic factors recorded between 2015 and 2024 and examines their impact on the phenology and grape quality of the 'Fetească Neagră' cultivar cultivated in both regions. The findings indicate an increase in average temperatures during the vegetative phase by 0.8–0.9 °C in both areas, coupled with uneven rainfall patterns marked by alternating dry periods and months with normal precipitation. In both vineyards, the vegetative cycle was reduced by 10–15 days, with full ripening now occurring in early September; the average vegetative period lasted around 120 days. Berry development accelerated by about 9 days at Murfatlar, where the ripening phase now begins at approximately 100 days of vegetation. At Codru, the ripening phase was shortened to 17 days instead of the previous 35. In terms of grape yield, no significant differences were observed between the two regions during the study period. However, improvements in quality were recorded: at Murfatlar, must sugar levels increased by 6.6 g/L, accompanied by a decrease in acidity; at Codru, must sugar levels rose by 8.39 g/L, with acidity stabilizing at 4.5 g/L tartaric acid. Correlation analyses highlight the considerable influence of temperature and precipitation on grape quality parameters for the 'Fetească Neagră' cultivar. The challenges posed by climate change for this variety in both regions are clear. To sustain wine quality, adaptive cultivation measures are needed, including improved soil water conservation, canopy management, grape shading, and other responsive viticultural practices.