Photosynthesis productivity and architectonics of the Crystal grape variety canopy with different techniques of training and forming grape bushes

Abstract

For the successful cultivation of grapes, it is very important to correctly determine the appropriate techniques for the formation of bushes that match the biology of the variety and the conditions for growth. It is also important to select an appropriate supporting structure which is suitable for a chosen training technique. Various viticultural countries continuously conduct research to improve the ways of growing grapes. In this case, particular importance is given to cultivation technologies that involve grape varieties adapted to specific environmental conditions as well as economical ways for their growing that ensure the effective production of grapes with necessary technological and consumer conditions [1–6]. The architecture of the grape plant is interconnected with the techniques of training, formation, and pruning of grape bushes. These techniques determine the conditions of espaliering the leaf assimilation apparatus that uses solar energy to create the organic mass of plants. In this research, we use the Crystal grape variety to show the specific features of leaf apparatus formation and productivity of photosynthesis under the use of different agricultural techniques (methods of training, forming, and trimming as well as determining the norm of bush loading with shoots and harvest) in relation to the planting scheme of bushes. The work also studies the influence of these techniques on the productivity of industrial and intensive-type bushes under the conditions of the Lower Don region. We found that the use of recommended agricultural techniques allows developing: 1) a system of canes and leaves that is high in volume and well oriented within the row of a vineyard; 2) high productivity of photosynthesis; 3) optimal ratio between vegetative mass and harvest.