The Effects of Different Crop Load and Summer Pruning Application on Grape Yield and Quality Parameters of ‘Mevlana’ Cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abstract

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is considered as one of the most important commercial fruit crops in Turkey. Wine quality is affected by cultural practices. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of crop load level and different summer pruning applications on the wine quality of ‘Mevlana’ (Vitis vinifera L.). The study was carried out on a 12-year-old own-rooted ‘Mevlana’ vineyard, which was established as a rational pergola in Manisa. Two different crop load levels (55 clusters/vine and 110 clusters/vine) and four different applications were adapted to these crop loads. Applications are, I: removal of 1/3 cluster (the ends of the bunch were cut with scissors at berry state; 4 mm of berry), II: girdling (girdling was the removal of a ring of phloem around the trunk, while scoring was a simple metal wire (3 mm diameter) at berry state; 4 mm of berry, thirty-five days after application, the wires were removed), III: removal of 1/3 cluster (the ends of the bunch were cut with scissors at berry state; 4 mm of berry) and girdling (thirty-five days after girdling, the wires were removed), IV: control (no application). Yield (kg/vine), and other quality characteristics were analyzed. The best results were obtained from girdling application (27.99, 28.59) in cluster length (cm) and obtained from application of 55TII and 110TII (20.34, 20.38) in berry width (mm) and were obtained from applications of 110TII (84.80 number/vine) in number of marketable cluster and application of 55TII and 110TII (47.46, 47.02) in L* level. The conclusion that can be drawn from the results of this study is that 55TII and 110TII applications led to enhancements in the berry growth and biochemical properties of cv. ‘Mevlana’ to rational pergola trailing system.