Agronomic performance of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' with leaf removal management in a high-altitude region of Southern Brazil

Douglas André Würz,Betina Pereira De Bem,Leo Rufato,Aike Anneliese Kretzschmar,José Luiz Marcon Filho,Alberto Fontanella Brighenti,Ricardo Allebrandt

doi:10.1590/s0100-204x2017001000006

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to compare the effect of different times of leaf removal on the vegetative-productive efficiency and on the chemical and physical characteristics of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' clusters in a high-altitude region of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in the 2015 and 2016 vintages, in a commercial vineyard, located in the municipality of São Joaquim, in the state of Santa Catarina, at 1,230-m altitude. The treatments consisted of different times leaf removal in the cluster zone, in the following phenological stages: full bloom, buckshot berries, pea-sized berries, veraison, and 15 days after veraison, besides a control without leaf removal. The evaluated variables were subjected to the analysis of variance and compared with the Scott-Knott test, at 5% probability. In a high-altitude region, leaf removal provides more adequate indices for plant vegetative:yield balance. It also increases yield when performed during the pea-sized berry and veraison stages, increases the fertility index when performed during the pea-sized berry stage, and improves the chemical composition of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grape when performed up to the pea-sized berry stage. The obtained results show the importance of early leaf removal to obtain must with potential for the production of quality wines.

Highlights

Grapevines cultivated in highland regions of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil (26o and 28oS, at altitudes between 950 and 1,400 m), present longer phenological stages than those of other winegrowing areas in the country (Brighenti et al, 2013)
In 2016, plants subjected to leaf removal during the pea-sized berry and veraison stages presented a higher number of clusters than those subjected to the other treatments
In 2016, when the plants were not subjected to leaf removal or when leaves were removed 15 days after veraison, there was a reduction in bud fertility, caused by excessive shading in the region of clusters and buds

Summary

Introduction

Grapevines cultivated in highland regions of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil (26o and 28oS, at altitudes between 950 and 1,400 m), present longer phenological stages than those of other winegrowing areas in the country (Brighenti et al, 2013). The 'Cabernet Sauvignon' (Vitis vinifera L.) variety has the largest production area in the high-altitude regions of Santa Catarina, corresponding to 37% of the planted area (Vianna et al, 2016) This variety has a late and long cycle (214 days) that requires a higher thermal summation to complete its phenological stages, and its harvest happens in late April, when there are considerable drops in temperature in the region (Brighenti et al, 2013). The edaphoclimatic conditions of the high-altitude regions of Santa Catarina, such as high water availability (Bem et al, 2016) and high organic matter in the soil (Mafra et al, 2011), promote excessive vegetative growth This shows that it is necessary to perform some canopy managements to improve vine balance, which allows grapes to be harvested at appropriate levels of maturity

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