Smaller Berry Size Research Articles

The Effects of Gibberellic Acid and Cane Girdling of Applications on Crimson Seedless Grape Variety of Cluster and Berry Characteristics

‘Crimson Seedless’ grape variety is a late maturity and small berry size. Berry size is one of the most important quality parameters of table grapes. This trial was carried out in the Crimson Seedless (Vitis vinifera L.) grower vineyard in Sarıgöl (dadağlı) locality of Manisa province in the 2022 vegetation period. A randomized complete block design was used with vines as blocks and clusters as the experimental unit’s four treatments and four replications. Vine bunches of Crimson Seedless grape variety, ten years old, were sprayed extensively with a GA3 (Gibberellic Acid) solution (20 mg L-1) on the 25th of April 10th of May, and 10th of June/2022, while girdling (G) was applied from removing 3 mm diameter bark all around from 10 cm below the top of the vine trunk at fruit set stage. Control (C) only water was sprayed. This study aimed to reveal gibberellic acid and cane girdling applications on Crimson Seedless cluster and berry characteristics. Harvest (oBrix 19) was done on the 10th of October/2022 and after that, the cluster weight (g), cluster length (cm), cluster width (cm), berry weight (g), berry length (mm), berry diameter (mm), berry length/berry diameter, total soluble solid, total acidity and maturity index were determined in fresh fruit samples randomly taken from each vine. It was found that all applications generally had statistically (P

The Impact of Plant Growth Regulators and Floral Cluster Thinning on the Fruit Quality of ‘Shine Muscat’ Grape

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) and floral cluster thinning are commonly used to improve grape yield and quality, but their effects on different fruit quality attributes in the ‘Shine Muscat’ are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of PGRs and floral cluster thinning on various fruit quality parameters such as the cluster weight, berry weight, diameter, shape, sugar and acid content, firmness, and residual feel of peel. Our results indicate that the gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) 25 mg/L + thidiazuron (TDZ) 5 mg/L treatment at full bloom and GA3 25 mg/L treatment at 12 days after full bloom showed the largest cluster weight, berry weight, and diameter, while the forchlorfenuron (CPPU)-treated group, with a more balanced effect on fruit skin and flesh firmness, had the highest proportion of a positive residual feel of the peel. Floral cluster thinning by 4 cm was found to be effective for promoting fruit growth and maintaining an appropriate sugar–acid ratio, while thinning by 5 cm resulted in a higher number of berries but smaller berry size and lower sugar–acid ratio. These findings can be useful for grape growers and researchers in optimizing PGR and floral cluster thinning treatments to improve grape yield and quality.

The Effect of Irrigation-Initiation Timing on the Phenolic Composition and Overall Quality of Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Grown in a Semi-Arid Climate

In semi-arid areas, vineyards grown for winemaking are usually mildly irrigated by drip irrigation systems in a manner maintaining drought stress. This practice ensures the proper development of vegetative and reproductive organs on the one hand, and on the other, the development of high-quality grapes which can be hampered by overly abundant water application. In previous work, we have developed and demonstrated an irrigation model suitable for high-quality grape production in semi-arid areas. Here, we tackle the question of proper irrigation initiation dates—should one wait for vines to develop drought stress before the initiation of irrigation, or rather commence irrigation earlier? Our results show that vines which undergo initial irrigation late in the growing season tend to develop a lower midday stem water potential even after irrigation initiation. In addition, these vines tend to produce a lower number of bunches per vine and smaller berry size, leading to lower yields. The wine produced from the late-irrigated treatments had a higher phenolic content, primarily due to higher levels of catechin and epicatechin. Their levels increased as irrigation initiation dates were delayed, while caffeic acid levels showed an opposite trend. Late irrigation also led to higher color intensities compared to those of irrigation at earlier stages, due to higher levels of most anthocyanins. Finally, we show that the overall wine sensory score, representing its overall quality, was approximately five points higher for wines made from delayed irrigation treatments compared to wines made from early season irrigation treatments.

Wine quality and berry size: a case study with Tempranillo Tinto progenies.

Small berry size is normally associated with quality wine production. However, the contribution of grapevine variety and environment to sensory quality has not been well established. In this study, genotypes from two intra-specific hybrid populations were categorized by size according to berry diameter and weight: small (< 13.5 mm, <1.5g), and large (>16 mm, >2g). Chemical and sensory attributes of wines produced in two consecutive vintages (2017 and 2018) from each size category were characterized. Perceived intrinsic wine quality was judged by 20 wine professionals. Wines obtained from small berry genotypes consistently displayed higher proportions of phenolic compounds and deeper color and were judged higher in quality regardless of genetic background and vintage. Perceived quality was positively correlated with anthocyanin and phenolic content. Wines presented high sensory variability in both vintages. Small berry size genotypes produced sweeter, fruitier wines with greater astringency; whereas wines from larger berries were perceived as more alcoholic and with lower positive aroma intensities. Berry size influenced color and phenolic compounds more than genotype or environment. Small berry-size genotypes were related to high quality judgements in both years, thus providing a predictor of wine categories, which could be used to meet different market demands. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

ENHANCING GRAPE BERRIES QUALITY OF CV. EARLY SWEET BY A SIMULATOR OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND SOME GROWTH REGULATORS

Grape cultivar Early Sweet is seedless and early harvested in Egyptian viticulture. However, its widespread production is limited by two main problems; small berry size and formation of shot berry. Several attempts utilize safe growth regulators alone or in combinations to improve berry characteristics. The current study aims to improve the quality and quantity of the "Early Sweet" grapes by applying GA3 and BA as well as triacontanol under Egyptian conditions. The results showed that GA3 (10ppm) Followed by either benzyl adenine at 20ppm or triacontanol at 100ppm increased cluster weight, berry size, berry weight, TSS, total sugars, leaf area and leaf mineral content. Moreover, the above treatment decreased berry acidity, electrolyte leakage and berry carotene content. In addition, the individual treatments such as GA3, BA and triacontanol enhanced the physical and chemical characteristics of "Early Sweet" grapes as compared with the control treatment.

Gibberellic Acid Induces Unique Molecular Responses in ‘Thompson Seedless’ Grapes as Revealed by Non-targeted Metabolomics

Compact clusters and small berry size are the major problems associated with the commercialization of table grapes. The application of gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) has been a long-followed practice to overcome these issues. To analyze the molecular response of ‘Thompson Seedless’ grapes to GA3 treatment, we investigated the metabolomes of its rachises, clusters, and berries, 6 h and 24 h after the treatment. Metabolite profiling using non-targeted metabolomics approach revealed several metabolites, including arginine, proline, tyrosine, kaempferol, resveratrol, catechin, and so on as possible biomarkers of GA3 treatment in grapes. GA3 treatment greatly impacted the alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathways, and the GA3-mediated alterations in the levels of certain plant growth regulators and primary metabolites were in accordance with important growth and developmental processes in grapes. This study highlights the effect of GA3 on the profiles of certain polyphenols impacting the flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathways and hence the nutritional aspect of grapes. The results of this study would be useful to develop self-elongating varieties simplifying the grape cultivation.

Container Production of Southern Highbush Blueberries Using High Tunnels

Blueberry production in Mississippi (MS) is mainly rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium virgatum Ait.), which ripen in late May to June. Growing early-ripening southern highbush blueberries (SHBs) (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) presents an opportunity for early fruit production and increased market price for locally produced blueberries, yet faces the challenge of spring frost damage. One-year-old liners of 10 SHB cultivars were transplanted into 15-gallon plastic containers and placed in a high tunnel in Apr. 2015. Blueberry plants were fertilized with either a conventional or an organic fertilizer at comparable rates. Plants were evaluated for berry yield, timing of first berry harvest and peak harvest, single berry weight, and soluble solid content during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. The high tunnel increased monthly maximum temperature by 3.2 to 10.4 °C, monthly average temperature by 0.7 to 4.2 °C, and minimum monthly temperature for up to 3.0 °C compared with outdoor environment. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at noon in the high tunnel ranged from 477 to 1411 µmol·m−2·s−1 and relative humidity ranged from 54.6% to 81.7% from Jan. 2016 to June 2017. SHBs in the high tunnel produced first berry harvest during the first week of April in both growing seasons. Total berry yield per plant ranged from 921 g to 2136 g in 2016 and from 1222 g to 2480 g in 2017. Compared with the organic fertilizer, conventional fertilizer increased berry yield in April and May, and total berry yield in 2016, but resulted in similar yield in 2017. Eight cultivars (Emerald, Farthing, Gupton, Meadowlark, Pearl, Rebel, Star, and Sweetcrisp) produced single berries that averaged more than 2 g per berry in 2016, compared with two cultivars (Gupton and Pearl) in 2017. Smaller berry size may have resulted from the generally increasing yield from 2016 to 2017. ‘Sweetcrisp’ produced berries with higher soluble solid content, 14.2% and 14.1% in 2016 and 2017, than the other nine cultivars. Container production of SHB cultivars in a high tunnel produced total berry yield equivalent to 6458 kg/ha in 2016 to 7500 kg/ha in 2017, advanced blueberry production by 4 to 5 weeks, and therefore may serve as a potential production system for early fruiting blueberries in Mississippi.

Effect of winter rainfall on yield components and fruit green aromas ofVitis vinifera L. cv. Merlot in California

Background and Aims: A field trial during the 2009 and 2010 seasons evaluated the impact of winter rainfall on the main compounds responsible for green aromas in grapes and wines, 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) and C6 compounds. These compounds are considered undesirable in grapes and wines above the threshold concentration. Methods and Results: One treatment subjected vines to average rainfall, while the other excluded winter rainfall by covering the ground with a plastic tarpaulin during the entire dormant season (November to mid-March). Irrigation for both treatments was maintained at a weekly rate of 70% of crop evapotranspiration until commercial harvest. Canopy growth, berry size and vine yield were significantly reduced by rainfall exclusion, and a significant increase in the fruit to pruning mass ratio was recorded from one season to another. Synthesis of IBMP was significantly greater in vines under normal rainfall, whereas C6 compounds were significantly different between treatments only at the end of the second season. Fruit and wine composition, mainly colour and mouthfeel compounds, were positively affected by the absence of rainfall in both years. Wine descriptive analysis showed that the lack of rainfall produced wines perceived as less green and of more intense fruit attributes in the first season. As a consequence of the reduction in vine growth, however, the same treatment produced wines less intense in fruit aromas and of inferior tannin quality in the following season. Conclusions: These results show that the soil moisture level prior to budbreak affects both canopy growth and vine yield, even when irrigation is applied following budbreak. If the rainfall level is below normal, the positive effect on fruit and wine composition achieved through smaller berry size may be offset by a significant reduction in canopy growth, resulting in severely unbalanced vines, i.e. inadequate fruit to pruning mass ratio. Significance of the Study: Growers aiming to minimise the level of IBMP at harvest would benefit from applying moderate deficit irrigation and nitrogen fertilisation rates and also might achieve an earlier harvest date for those vineyards where the absence of undesirable vegetal characters is considered a key harvest metric.

MANAGEMENT OF PRIMOCANE-FRUITING BLACKBERRY TO MAXIMIZE YIELD AND EXTEND THE FRUITING SEASON

'Prime-Jan' and 'Prime-Jim' were studied in a field planting established in June 2003 in Aurora, Ore., USA. Primocane management treatments studied were: 1) primocane-only cropping with no manipulation [un-tipped]; 2) double cropping with no primocane manipulation [primocane + floricane crop]; 3) primocanes soft-tipped at 1 m to encourage branching; and 4) rowcovers used in late-winter to early-spring to advance primocane growth; treatments 1, 3, and 4 were a primocane crop only. 'Prime-Jan' had a higher floricane yield than 'Prime-Jim' (6.1 vs. 4.0 t/ha), but a smaller berry size (4.0 vs. 4.6 g; P ≤ 0.01). Primocanes that grew in the presence of floricanes were significantly longer (2.5 m) than un-tipped canes (2.1 m) in both cultivars. On average, the un-tipped primocanes of 'Prime-Jan' were shorter than those of 'Prime-Jim'. On 14 July 2004, primocanes in most treatments were just starting to flower and fruit harvest began on 16 Aug. Use of rowcovers in 2005, advanced bloom 14 d (24 June) compared to un-tipped canes. The 50% yield date was 7-14 Sept. for 'Prime-Jim', depending on treatment and 14 Sept. for 'Prime-Jan'. Rowcovers increased yield, compared to un-tipped, non-covered plots. Soft-tipped primocanes had up to three fold the yield of un-tipped canes (5.2 vs. 1.8 t/ha). We stopped picking in mid-Oct. due to poor weather, but at that time there were still flower buds, flowers, and un-ripe fruit present on most treatments.

The assessment of vine water and nitrogen uptake by means of physiological indicators influence on vine development and berry potential (&lt;em&gt;Vitis vinifera&lt;/em&gt; L. cv Merlot, 2000, Bordeaux)

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;Vine water and nitrogen uptake can be assessed by means of physiological indicators in field conditions. In this study, pre-dawn leaf water potential (ψB) and stem water potential (ψT) were used to indicate vine water status of &lt;em&gt;Vitis vinifera&lt;/em&gt; L cv. Merlot. Carbon isotope composition of grape sugar (ΔC13) was used as an integrative indicator of vine water deficit during the ripening period. Must assimilable nitrogen and leaf blade colour intensity, were used to assess vine nitrogen status. All of the three indicators of vine water status allowed a clear differentiation of vine water uptake conditions in the ten experimental plots. The indicators of vine nitrogen status showed more ambiguous results. Must assimilable nitrogen content did not only vary with vine nitrogen uptake, but also with yield. Leaf colour was more easy to interpret. Vine development and berry composition were more influenced by water uptake conditions than by vine nitrogen status. In 2000, which was a dry vintage in Bordeaux, water stress induced early growth slackening and a small berry size. Grapes contained more sugar, anthocyanin and total phenolics and less malic acid when water availability was low. On plots where water uptake conditions were similar, low vine nitrogen status increased berry potential.&lt;/p&gt;

ROOTSTOCK EVALUATION WITH THE RED CURRANT CULTIVARS 'JUNIFER' AND 'ROODNEUS'

Red currants may have insufficient shoot growth when yield is good to abundant and growing conditions are unfavourable. Lack of vigour results in small berry size, poor strig quality and low productivity in the next year. Using a vigorous rootstock might promote shoot growth and result in better fruit quality and higher and more regular productions. The red-currant cvs 'Junifer' (low vigour) and 'Roodneus' (high vigour) were table grafted in the winter of 1996 on 4 rootstocks; 'Junifer', 'Roodneus', 'White Pearl', and Ribes aureum. The rootstocks were non-rooted hardwood cuttings and ungrafted cuttings of the scion cultivars were used as controls. After one year of raising the plants in pots, the single stemmed, one-year-old grafts were planted in the spring of 1997 in the soil in single rows (2.5 x 0.5 m) under permanent rain covers at the research station in Randwijk. The cultivars reacted differently to the different rootstocks except for rootstock 'White Pearl'. With both scion cultivars, 'White Pearl', itself a dwarfing cultivar, gave poor shoot formation, low yields and small berries. The combination of cv. 'Junifer' with rootstock Ribes aureum looked promising, but in 2001 27% of the plants were lost most probably due to Eutypa Dieback. Plants on Ribes aureum were significantly more infected than the other treatments. For 'Roodneus', the rootstock 'Roodneus' seems to have potential and the same held for Ribes aureum, but in 2000 production lagged behind due to heavy June drop.

186 Berry Quality and Photosynthate Partitioning in Response to Plant Growth Regulators in Grape

The effects of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) on berry maturation and photoassimilates partitioning were investigated. Five-year-old potted `Kyoho' grape grown under a non-heating glasshouse were used. TIBA (200 mg/L) and NAA (200 mg/L) were applied to clusters at the beginning of veraison (45 days after full bloom). TIBA application increased not only soluble solids concentration in the juice but also anthocyanin content of peel, compared with those of control. On the other hand, the application of NAA reduced berry growth and delayed the berry maturation with harder flesh, lower soluble solids, higher acidity and poor coloration. In order to examine the effect of both plant growth regulators on photoassimilates partitioning in plant tissues, the whole plants were fed with 13CO2 at 10 days and 20 days after application of TIBA and NAA. The 13C distribution of pericarp and peel in NAA application was found on the lowest among the treatments. However, there were no significant differences in the 13C distribution and 13C absorption rate of pericarps between TIBA and control. These results indicate that NAA weakened the sink activity in grape berries, resulted in smaller berry size and the delay of maturation, whereas the berry ripening induced by TIBA application could not be explained by the distribution of photoassimilates in grape berries.

Cultural practices improve color, size of ‘Crimson Seedless’

‘Crimson Seedless’ is a lateseason table grape recently developed by scientists at the USDA-Agriculture Research Service. The cultivar holds significant promise for commercial producers due to its late maturity and seedless, crisp berries. Poor color and small berry size are the primary fruit quality problems associated with the cultivar. This study shows that trunk girdles applied at fruit set, combined with applications of the plant growth regulator ethephon, significantly improve the berry size, color and packable yield of this cultivar.

ジベレリン処理によるブドウ&amp;lsquo;マスカット&amp;bull;ベーリーA&amp;rsquo; の無核果生産の安定化に関する研究

The variations of flower types and the characteristics of berries derived from each flower type were observed in Muscat Baily A, a hybrid between Baily X Muscat Humburg. The effects of flower type on the GA-induced seedlessness were also observed.Conversion of flower type was attempted by the prebloom application of 6-benzy-ladenine (BA), which is known to induce sex conversion in male clones of Vitis species.1. This cultivar usually shows variations in the size of female organs in bloom. So, the flower types were classified into three types: perfect-hermaphroditic flowers (male and female organs develop completely), imperfect-hermaphroditic flowers (male organs are normal but female ones are incomplete), and male flowers (lack of female organs). The frequency of male, imperfect-and perfect-hermaphroditic flowers was proved to fluctuate year to year and by the method of pruning.2. Removing all male flowers, flowers of each of the remaining two types were retained in each cluster and allowed to set. Imperfect flowers displayed poorer berry set, smaller berry size and more seed number than perfect ones. By GA treatment, perfect flowers produced more seedless berries than imperfect ones.3. The development of pistil was promoted by BA application 2-3 weeks before anthesis, which increased the frequency of perfect flowers, while by the application 4 weeks before anthesis, the frequency of imperfect ones was increased. The ratio of seedless berry formation was increased by GA in combination with the former BA application, especially remarkable with BA application 2 weeks before anthesiswith 125, 250ppm (above 95 percent), while by GA in combination with the latter, the ratio was decreased.4. Therefore, it seemed that the occurrence of imperfect flowers is responsible for the ratio in GA-induced seedless berry formation in this cultivar.

Response of 'Thompson Seedless' Grapevines to the Timing of Preharvest Irrigation Cut-Off

The effects of preharvest irrigation timing on 9Thompson Seedless9 was studied for a 5-year duration on a fine sandy loam soil location and for 1 year on a sandy soil location. An early (early July) and a late (early August) irrigation cut-off were compared through the maturation and harvest period each year. Measurable treatment differences included soil moisture tension values, shoot growth, berry size, total soluble solids per berry, cluster rot incidence, and raisin quality. Total vine yields were not affected. The important effects of the more prolonged period of higher soil moisture tensions from the early irrigation cut-off were reduced shoot growth and smaller berry size. Berry size reduction was more immediate in the sandy soil location — in the first year as compared to the 3rd year in the fine sandy loam soil. The early cut-off treatment effects tended to be accumulative in the successive years of study, resulting in a lower accumulation of total soluble solids per berry and lower raisin grades in addition to smaller berries in the 5th year of study.