Abstract
Early maturity is of major importance to table grape producers in the Sonoran Desert. Prices are historically high at the beginning of the season, declining substantially over the first few days or weeks of harvest. Research was conducted in 1990 and 1991 at a commercial vineyard in southwest Arizona to determine the effect of bunch count per vine on yield and early maturity of fifth and sixth year flame seedless grapes. Vines were thinned to 15, 25 and 35 bunches in 1990, and 20, 30, 40, and 40 short bunches in 1991. The two-row, 0.2 acre plots were replicated four times using a randomized complete block design. Despite the large variation in crop load, there were no significant differences in total yield. There was an increase in percent soluble solids as bunch counts decreased. Berry weight followed the same trend. Small to moderate bunch counts produced a larger number of boxes and a greater percentage of the crop early in the season. By maintaining small to moderate bunch counts, early maturity is attainable without significantly reducing total yield.
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