EFFECTS OF LEAF REMOVAL ON YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF `RIESLING' AND `CHARDONNAY' GRAPES.

Abstract

Leaf removal has been reported to be beneficial to fruit quality of several grape cultivars. However, climatic conditions, time of leaf removal and genotype have a strong influence on the effect of leaf removal on fruit quality traits, such as soluble solids and titratable acidity. The effect of leaf removal on fruit quality of two vinifera grape cultivar grown in Minnesota was examined in this study. The first six basal leaves were removed from four canes on each vine of `Riesling' and `Chardonnay'. Leaf removal was carried out at two different times after the onset of verasion--early August (8/2) and late August (8/23). Fruit was harvested in late September and yield and fruit quality data were recorded. The results of the 1989 study will be discussed here. Leaf removal did not significantly affect yields obtained from either cultivar, regardless of leaf removal date. Early leaf removal on `Chardonnay' vines resulted in significantly higher soluble solids and significantly lower titratable acidity than that observed for fruit of control or late removal treated vines. Similar results were observed for `Riesling', however the differences were not significant. Data from 1989 and 1990 will he presented and discussed in the talk.