Trellis System Research Articles

Mechanical pruning and soil organic amendments in vineyards of ‘Syrah’: effects on wine mineral composition

The interaction of mechanized pruning systems and soil organic amendment can affect vine vegetative and reproductive growth. However, since organic amendments supply several mineral elements, namely heavy metals, this study aimed to understand the effects of the interaction between these two practices on the mineral composition of wine. Two field trials were implemented in ‘Syrah’ vineyards in two Portuguese wine regions (Lisboa and Tejo). Mechanical hedge pruning was compared with hand spur pruning and four different organic amendments were tested: biochar, municipal solid waste compost, cattle manure and sewage sludge. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) wine contents were significantly reduced by mechanical pruning while calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contents were tendentially higher in this pruning system. Mechanical pruning also reduced the content of some minor elements, such as arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni). In 2014, the year with the higher reproductive growth, some other elements also decreased as a consequence of the mechanical pruning (gallium - Ga; lithium – Li; rubidium - Rb, thallium – Tl; yttrium - Y). Concerning the organic amendments, sewage sludge was associated with the wines with the lowest P and iron (Fe) content. Ca content was tendentially higher in municipal solid waste compost and sewage sludge treatments. Mechanical pruning and organic amendments had different effects on the mineral composition of wine, according to each specific element. However, the legal limits, recommended by OIV and established by European Union, as well as the technical limits, adopted by winemakers, were never exceeded and the interaction of both practices does not seem to be a problem in what concerns to the mineral composition of the produced wines.

Yield and physical characterization of Passiflora cincinnata in the Brazilian Savanna

ABSTRACT For the Caatinga passion fruit (Passiflora cincinnata Mast.), there are no indications of varieties specific for the Brazilian Savanna conditions, as well as conduction techniques that make it possible to express a greater yield potential. This study aimed to evaluate the yield and quality of CPEF2220 and CBAF2334 populations in espalier and trellis conduction systems. A completely randomized design was used, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with three replications of four plants per plot. The fruit yield and physical characteristics were evaluated throughout the production cycle. The average yield was 8.0 kg plant-1 (3.5-14.9 kg plant-1) and the average number of fruits per plant was 139.1 (55.8-283.5), with average pulp yield of 29 %. There was a tendency to increase the number and yield of fruits for the CPEF2220 population conducted in the espalier system. The plant survival rate was 41 % (CPEF2220) and 87.5 % (CBAF2334), with a higher adaptation to the Brazilian Savanna conditions, while the CPEF2220 population presented a higher yield potential. Reductions in mass, longitudinal and equatorial diameter and fruit shape were observed throughout the harvest, with some exceptions for the espalier system, which showed more elongated fruits. The trellis system showed a greater yield potential for the parent populations of the passion fruit BRS Sertão Forte, for the study conditions.

Pokretni nasloni za vinovu lozu

The amount of the work in the vineyard, its yield greatly depends on what type of grape trellis is used in the vineyard.The most common is the Vertical Shoot Position. The advantages of the Vertical Shoot Position is the simplicity of the device and the use of inexpensive building materials. It is less time consuming and easily accessible for vineyard care.The disadvantages are that the maximum area of the green mass and the maximum yield cannot be obtained. The horizontal grape trellis system - pergola - allows to get the maximum area of green mass, the maximum assimilation of solar energy takes place, that increase yields by 2-3 times and provide the best quality of grapes.The disadvantages is that the care of vines grown on horizontal trellis is very time-consuming. Because the vintner is forced to work with his head constantly pulled back and his arms raised high.The authors have developed a new type of grape trellis - a mobile pergola - which during the vegetation - during the development of green mass and fruit ripening are placed horizontally, and during the green operations - pruning, spraying, harvesting - in a vertical position. As a result, we get a high yield typical for the pergola, which is 2-3 times higher than the yield obtained on the vertical grape trellis, and its maintenance is just as convenient and simplified as that of the vertical grape trellis.

Effects of Regulated Deficit Irrigation and Early Cluster Thinning on Production and Quality Parameters in a Vineyard cv. Tempranillo under Semi-Arid Conditions in Southwestern Spain

The efficient use of water in the vineyard requires knowledge of the crop’s response to irrigation in terms of production and quality and the interaction of the same with the environmental conditions. In this work, the behavior of a trellis system vineyard in cv. Tempranillo, located in the south-west of Spain, was analyzed for three years in relation to different irrigation strategies based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and with two levels of crop load established by early cluster thinning. The response of the vineyard to the same irrigation strategy varied depending on the characteristics of the year. The vineyard’s biomass production increased in a linear trend as annual water status improved. However, during pre-veraison, the water status had a more significant impact on the harvest by affecting bud fertility. The increase in individual cluster weight only partially compensated the loss of yield caused by cluster thinning. The year’s characteristics highly conditioned the response to the irrigation treatment and, together with cluster thinning, modified the characteristics of the musts, although the response was varied.

Gibberellin Application Improved Bunch Rot Control of Vignoles Grape, but Response to Mechanical Defoliation Varied Between Training Systems.

Late-season bunch rot causes significant crop loss for grape growers in wet and humid climates. For 3 years (2016 to 2018), we integrated prebloom mechanized defoliation (MD) in the fruit zone and bloom gibberellin (GA) applications, either alone or in combination, into the bunch rot control program of Vignoles, a commercially valuable grape variety that is highly susceptible to bunch rot. We hypothesized that both treatments would decrease bunch rot through modification of cluster architecture or fruit zone microclimate compared with vines treated with the standard chemical control program. Grapevines were trained to two popular training systems, four-arm Kniffin (4AK) and high-wire bilateral cordon (HWC). Treatment responses varied between training systems. MD, alone or in combination with GA, reduced bunch rot incidence and severity every year on 4AK-trained vines, an effect attributed mainly to fruit zone improvements. Conversely, MD alone did not reduce bunch rot incidence on HWC-trained vines, despite significant improvements in cluster architecture (reduced number of berries per cluster and cluster compactness). GA applications were more effective than MD at reducing cluster compactness, regardless of training system. As a result, GA reduced bunch rot incidence and severity when applied alone or with MD on 4AK- and HWC-trained vines. All treatments positively improved fruit-soluble sugar concentration on both training systems, while positive effects on titratable acidity were more consistent across training systems with MD.

Training systems, rootstocks and climatic conditions influence quality and antioxidant activity of ‘BRS Cora’ grape

Environmental and production factors might affect grapevine physiology. Estimating these effects is essential for planning the harvest and predicting the quality of grapes. The aim of this study was to characterize the quality and antioxidant potential of ‘BRS Cora’ grapes with different training systems and rootstocks in production cycles of the second half of the year under tropical conditions. The experimental design was randomized blocks with sub-subdivided plots over time. Three training systems and two rootstocks were studied in production cycles referring to the second halves of 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the grapes of plants trained with lyre and vertical shoot positioning (VSP) had the highest soluble solids and sugars contents, and in 2018, this response occurred with the overhead trellis system. There was lower variation in titratable acidity between cycles of grapevines trained with VSP and lyre, as well as in those grafted onto ‘IAC 572’. In 2018, lyre with ‘IAC 572’ promoted higher pigment accumulation. Climatic conditions in 2017 provided a higher accumulation of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in grapes of plants trained with lyre with ‘IAC 766’. The efficiency of the training system within each cycle, associated with the effect of the rootstock, resulted in differentiated responses according to climatic conditions.

Comparative physiological and transcriptomic analysis of pear leaves under distinct training systems

Canopy architecture is critical in determining the light interception and distribution, and subsequently the photosynthetic efficiency and productivity. However, the physiological responses and molecular mechanisms by which pear canopy architectural traits impact on photosynthesis remain poorly understood. Here, physiological investigations coupled with comparative transcriptomic analyses were performed in pear leaves under distinct training systems. Compared with traditional freestanding system, flat-type trellis system (DP) showed higher net photosynthetic rate (PN) levels at the most time points throughout the entire monitored period, especially for the interior of the canopy in sunny side. Gene ontology analysis revealed that photosynthesis, carbohydrate derivative catabolic process and fatty acid metabolic process were over-represented in leaves of DP system with open-canopy characteristics. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis uncovered a significant network module positive correlated with PN value. The hub genes (PpFKF1 and PpPRR5) of the module were enriched in circadian rhythm pathway, suggesting a functional role for circadian clock genes in mediating photosynthetic performance under distinct training systems. These results draw a link between pear photosynthetic response and specific canopy architectural traits, and highlight light harvesting and circadian clock network as potential targets for the input signals from the fluctuating light availability under distinct training systems.

Evaluation of South African Chenin Blanc Wines Made From Six Different Trellising Systems Using a Chemical and Sensorial Approach

There are many ways of manipulating the components of grape berries and one of these is the implementation of a specific trellising system. This will affect light exposure in the bunch zone, air flow through the canopy, crop load, etc., and consequently the primary metabolites that contribute to the production of secondary compounds in wine. The aim of the present study was to characterise the grape musts and wines of Chenin blanc made from grapes of different trellising systems, using chemical fingerprinting of the samples and the check-all-that-apply method, combined with a quality scoring test. The results indicate that, while the wines could not be separated according to treatment from an aroma point of view, the grapes produced by different trellis systems resulted in wines characterised by differences in taste and mouthfeel. The present study shows that trellising systems can influence amino acids, yeast assimilable nitrogen, phenolic content and aroma compounds, as well as sensory characteristics. In this case study, wine quality was not affected by the trellising systems, with one exception. Fingerprinting using high-resolution mass spectrometry proved to be a successful tool to separate the samples according to the systems.

Modeling grape quality by multivariate analysis of viticulture practices, soil and climate

Aims: The present study aims to model grape quality criteria by combining a large number of viticultural practices and soil and climatic variables related to the main determinants. Methods and results: A database has been developed using the Chenin blanc grape variety in a protected designation of origin. A statistical model, namely, a partial least squares (PLS) regression, was performed for each grape quality criterion (sugar content, total acidity, malic acid, tartaric acid, yeast available nitrogen, pH and bunch rot). This statistical analysis identified the main viticultural practices as well as soil and climate variables related to the grape quality at harvest. The results highlight the relationships between the vine pruning length (spur pruning = short pruning or cane pruning = long pruning) and pH and malic acid but also reveal even more significant relationships with tartaric acid, yeast available nitrogen and bunch rot. The dryness index and the plant density have a strong influence on the grape malic acid concentration and pH, respectively. Vine perennial practices are the greatest contributors to the grape the yeast available nitrogen concentration. Conclusion: The models note the most relevant viticultural practices and soil and climatic variables driving each studied grape quality criterion. Significance and impact of the study: The results provide a better understanding of the major variables influencing grape quality.

Effect of leaf-to-fruit ratios on phenolic and sensory profiles of Malbec wines from single high-wire-trellised vineyards.

The single high-wire system is a free canopy trellis system suitable for warm to hot climates. In a global warming scenario, it arouses as a technological solution since it prevents berry overheating and sunburn. Canopy management practices manipulate leaf-to-fruit ratios, affecting berry and wine composition. We aimed to evaluate the phenolic and sensory profiles of Malbec wines from single high-wire trellised vineyards in a hot region in Mendoza (Argentina) and to assess the effect of varying leaf-to-fruit ratios on these attributes. We manipulated leaf-to-fruit ratios by varying shoot trimming (experiment 1: 0.45 m, 0.80 m, and untrimmed) and winter pruning severity (experiment 2: 16, 24, 32, and >32 countable buds per meter). We characterized wine attributes by a descriptive analysis, color by the CIELAB space, and global phenolics compounds and anthocyanins by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. We found that wines where shoots were trimmed to 0.80 m or left untrimmed had similar and greater intensity of color, violet hue, astringency, and alcohol and a richer aroma profile than wines where shoots were trimmed to 0.45 m. Meanwhile, wines from 16 and >32 buds/m treatments (the latter simulating a box pruning) were similar to each other and had higher color intensity, violet hue, acidity, alcohol, and astringency and a more complex aroma profile than the other pruning treatments. The best quality wines were achieved by leaving 16 or >32 buds/m and by trimming shoots to 0.80 m or leaving them untrimmed. The modulation of cultural practices in sprawling canopies offers the potential to produce wines with different styles in hot regions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of limited irrigation water volumes on near-isohydric \u2018Montepulciano\u2019 vines trained to overhead trellis system

The thermal increase, due to the changed climatic context, is leading to marked variations in the yield and quality of the grapes and causing an increase in the use of water resources in several viticultural areas. Nevertheless, in some environments, rainfalls are scarce and there is no water availability. In this study, we compared the impact of low water irrigation volumes (DI, replacement of 70% of crop evapotranspiration) with respect to non-irrigated vines (NI), on the physiological, yield and qualitative performances of near-isohydric variety ‘Montepulciano’, trained to overhead trellis system, which requires a high-water supply. The stomatal conductance and photosynthesis values, in basal and median leaves, were higher in DI vines. All NI leaves suffered water stress, showing in the youngest leaves (position 20 and 25 along the main shoot) higher carbon isotope discrimination (δ13C) (− 25.38‰ and 25–25.77‰, respectively). At harvest, DI vines showed yield higher of 30% and 33% than NI vines in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and 18% in 2007. In environments with prolonged water shortage and low water resource, near-isohydric ‘Montepulciano’ vines, trained to overhead trellis system and irrigated with limited volumes, determined a significant improvement of ‘vineyard efficiency’ with a yield of 19.2 t/ha with respect to 13.4 t/ha of NI vines, ensuring also more sugar content (+ 31%), anthocyanin concentration (+ 13%) and polyphenolic substances (+ 8%) than NI vines.

Sostenibilidad social de un sistema productivo familiar con granadilla (Passiflora Ligularis Juss.) en la provincia de Oxapampa, Pasco-Perú

La granadilla (Passiflora ligularis Juss.) es originaria de los Andes tropicales entre Perú, Ecuador, Colombia y Bolivia. Es una planta trepadora, cultivada en laderas bajo el sistema de emparrado y muchas veces es cultivada en asociación con café y/o árboles maderables. El fruto tiene creciente demanda en los mercados nacionales e internacionales, es de agradable sabor y valor nutricional. El presente estudio se realizó con el objetivo de evaluar la sostenibilidad social de un sistema productivo de granadilla en tres distritos de la provincia de Oxapampa (Pasco, Perú). Para la evaluación de la sostenibilidad social se usaron el método de MESMIS (Masera et al., 1999), y el Análisis Multicriterio (Sarandón, 2002). El primero para determinar los atributos sociales de la sostenibilidad (adaptabilidad, equidad y autogestión) y el Análisis Multicriterio para determinar el nivel del Indicador de Sostenibilidad Social (ISS) a través de 21 sub-indicadores sociales agrupados en cinco indicadores. Se encontró que el cultivo de granadilla genera impacto social, contribuye a la seguridad alimentaria y a la reducción de índices de pobreza en el área rural. Se mejora la satisfacción de las necesidades básicas de los agricultores en un contexto de agricultura familiar, se promueve la mano de obra familiar, se revaloriza la mano de obra de la mujer y se promueve la permanencia de los jóvenes en el campo. La adaptabilidad es un atributo positivo y fortaleza del sistema, mientras que la equidad y la autogestión fueron atributos negativos. El Indicador de Sostenibilidad Social fue de 6.6, valor que califica al sistema productivo de granadilla como “potencialmente sostenible”.

Linking Sap Flow and Trunk Diameter Measurements to Assess Water Dynamics of Touriga-Nacional Grapevines Trained in Cordon and Guyot Systems

The present research aimed to evaluate the water dynamics of grapevines trained in Cordon and Guyot systems by coupling sap flow and trunk diameter measurements under Mediterranean climate conditions. The study was conducted in a vineyard with Touriga-Nacional located at the Douro Valley, Portugal, during 2017. The results showed daily trunk diameter fluctuations (TDFs), with the contraction, recovery and increment phases and higher sap flow (SF) rates at earlier stages. Under harsh pedoclimatic conditions, SF was reduced and TDF flattened. Rehydration and stomatal mechanisms were mostly associated with these responses. Guyot vines showed higher changes in TDF for the same SF values, whereas the TDFs of Cordon vines remained practically unchanged over maturation. Guyot vines generally showed increased values of cumulative increment and maximum daily trunk shrinkage. Although Guyot vines had a similar leaf area index (LAI), they showed higher SF/LAI ratios than Cordon vines. These results highlight the effect of the shorter length of the hydraulic pathways of the Guyot training system, in contrast to the higher trunk and the permanent horizontal branch (cordon) of the Cordon training system, indicating good adaptation to local pedoclimatic conditions. The study pointed to the complementary use of both techniques in the evaluation of grapevine water dynamics.

Mechanical Pruning and Soil Fertilization with Distinct Organic Amendments in Vineyards of Syrah: Effects on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth

The effects of fully mechanized pruning systems on physiology, vigor and yield of grapevines have been studied for more than forty years and are an interesting way to reduce production costs. Organic amending of vineyard soil is a way to increase vine productivity. Thus, this study aims to understand the effects of the interaction between these two practices, on vine growth and productivity. Two trial fields were implemented on Shiraz vineyards in 2 different wine regions. Mechanical hedge pruning was compared with hand spur pruning and four different organic amendments were tested: biochar; municipal solid waste compost; cattle manure; sewage sludge. Mechanical pruning and organic amendments, by themselves, did not significantly increase yield. However, the interaction between both factors reduced the impact of self-regulation mechanisms (budburst, bud fruitfulness and cluster weight) in mechanical pruning and successfully increased yield, without decreasing vegetative growth. The effects of mechanical pruning with the application of organic amendments to soil on yield is significant and, thereby, the choice of the organic amendment and its amount, must be done considering the destiny of produced grapes.

Studies on exogenous application of plant growth regulators on storage changes in kiwifruit cv. Hayward

Effect of four different plant growth regulators viz., GA3 (25 and 50 mg/litre), BA (10 and 20 mg/litre), 2,4-D (10 and 25 mg/litre), TRIA (10 and 20 mg/litre) and a natural extract (4gm/litre) on storage changes in kiwifruit cv. Hayward were studied for two consecutive years. 11-year-old vines of kiwifruit cv. Hayward grown on a T-bar trellis system for two years were sprayed four weeks after full bloom. All the growth regulators proved effective in reducing physiological loss in weight. Application of 25 mg/litre GA3 sprayed four weeks after full bloom proved effective in maintaining higher firmness, TSS and vitamin C content after 20 days of ambient storage. Sensory evaluation reading after 20 days of ambient storage was also higher under this treatment. The study showed that the application of plant growth regulators viz., GA3 (25 and 50 mgL-1), BA (10 and 20 mgL-1), 2,4-D (10 and 25 mgL-1), TRIA (10 and 20 mgL-1) and a natural extract (4gmL-1) four weeks after full bloom influences the storage changes after 20 days of ambient storage.

Physical Greenhouse Design Considerations - Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 2

The greenhouse structure must be designed to withstand the loads that will be imposed on it during normal use. These include environmental loads such as wind, rain, and loads imposed by hanging baskets or by equipment mounted on the structure. For vegetable production, most greenhouse frames are not strong enough to perform double duty as a trellis support for vegetables. Therefore, it is best to erect a separate trellis system within the confines of the house for vegetables. The National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) publishes a standard that gives guidance for the design of greenhouses. It is recommended that every greenhouse be constructed to meet NGMA standards. This document presents relevant information on the characteristics that an adequate greenhouse design must have. First published in 1999.

Manejo da poda de videira ‘Marselan’ na Serra do Sudeste no Sul do Brasil

O comportamento agronômico da videira ‘Marselan’, indicada para a produção de vinhos finos de qualidade, está relacionado ao manejo do vinhedo e às condições edafoclimáticas da região de cultivo. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento vegetativo, produtivo e qualitativo de videiras da cultivar ‘Marselan’ submetidas ao sistema de poda em Cordão Esporonado duplo e a poda Guyot duplo, cultivadas em município pertencente a Serra do Sudeste, RS. As videiras ‘Marselan’ foram conduzidas em espaldeira sobre porta-enxerto ‘Paulsen 1103’, em um vinhedo comercial, em Encruzilhada do Sul, RS, Brasil. Durante os ciclos de produção de 2016/2017 e 2017/2018 foram avaliados o vigor vegetativo, massa de ramos podados, Índice de Ravaz, produção e composição físico química do mosto. O sistema de poda Guyot duplo nas videiras ‘Marselan’ induziu menor vigor das plantas, promoveu aumento do número de cachos por planta, da massa dos cachos, da produção e da produtividade. O tipo de poda interfere no vigor e na produtividade das uvas ‘Marselan’ sem alterar a qualidade do mosto. No manejo da cv. ‘Marselan’ na Serra do Sudeste no Sul do Brasil o sistema de poda Guyot é o mais indicado.

Impact of training system on ‘Blanc Du Bois’ vegetative growth, yield components and fruit composition

‘Blanc Du Bois’ (Vitisspp.) is the most widely grown Pierce’s disease tolerant white grapevine cultivar in Texas. As an interspecific hybrid, its growth habit is seimi-drooping, and 'Blanc Du Bois' is characterized as vigorous. This study evaluated the impact of training system (Mid-Wire Cordon with VSP, Mid-Wire Cane with VSP and Smart-Dyson, High-Wire Quadralateral, and Watson) on 'Blanc Du Bois' growth, yield components, and fruit composition at two locations in Texas. The first site was located in the Rio Grande Valley where the mean extreme minimum winter temperature is -1.1 to 1.7° C (USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 10a). As a result of climate and site conditions, vine size, determined by dormant pruning weight, was very large averaging from 3.71 to 5.56 kg per vine across training systems over a three-year period. At this site, the horizontally divided systems, High-Wire Quadrilateral and Watson were the highest yielding averaging 10.66 and 7.49 kg per vine, respectively, as a result of more shoots per vine, and higher fruitfulness. The Mid-Wire Cordon and Mid-Wire Cane Pruned Training Systems had lower yields in two out of three years, but fruit maturity indices soluble solids and pH reflected more advanced maturity at harvest. At the second site, located in the Central Gulf Coast of Texas (USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 8b), vines were less vigorous with pruning weights averaging 1.66 to 1.83 kg per vine across training systems over three years. Consistent differences in yield components, vine size, and fruit composition were not observed, and all the three training systems under study had acceptable growth and fruiting characteristics. The results of this research suggest that 'Blanc Du Bois’ vigor potential and growth habit makes it well-suited for horizontally divided canopy training systems, particularly on vigorous sites.

Effect of Bud Load Levels and Summer Pruning on Vine Vigor and Productivity of ''Flame Seedless'' (Vitis vinifera, L.) Grapevines

This investigation was carried out through three successive seasons 2016, 2017 and 2018 on 8 years old Flame seedless grapevines (Vitis vinifera, L.) grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system in Markz-Bader El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt. The vines spaced at 2 x 3m in a raw and between rows, respectively, trained to bilateral cordon with Gable supporting system. The vines were loaded with four bud load levels according to weight of one-year-old wood (pruning) produced in the preceding season. The suggested levels of bud load were control, B20 (weight of pruning as kg. x 20), B30 (weight of pruning as kg x 30) and B40 (weight of pruning as kg. x 40) alone or combined with two cluster thinning (without thinning and thinning to one cluster/ fruitful shoot) and two shoot topping (without topping and shoot topping leaving 20 leaves/ shoot) treatments as summer pruning. The results cleared that, as bud load level decreased from B40 to B20 as bud purest, fertility, vegetative growth parameters as well as cluster and berry physical characteristics improved. The same trend was noticed with thinning and topping treatments. The combination treatment of B30+ cluster thinning+ shoot topping (T15) appeared to be superior to achieve the balance between vine growth and productivity, since internodes length and diameter as well as pruning weight and total biomass were improved. Moreover, T15 recorded the highest yield, enhanced cluster weight, as well as berry physical and chemical quality parameters. This investigation was carried out through three successive seasons 2016, 2017 and 2018 on 8 years old Flame seedless grapevines (Vitis vinifera, L.) grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system in Markz-Bader El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt. The vines spaced at 2 x 3m in a raw and between rows, respectively, trained to bilateral cordon with Gable supporting system. The vines were loaded with four bud load levels according to weight of one-year-old wood (pruning) produced in the preceding season. The suggested levels of bud load were control, B20 (weight of pruning as kg. x 20), B30 (weight of pruning as kg x 30) and B40 (weight of pruning as kg. x 40) alone or combined with two cluster thinning (without thinning and thinning to one cluster/ fruitful shoot) and two shoot topping (without topping and shoot topping leaving 20 leaves/ shoot) treatments as summer pruning. The results cleared that, as bud load level decreased from B40 to B20 as bud purest, fertility, vegetative growth parameters as well as cluster and berry physical characteristics improved. The same trend was noticed with thinning and topping treatments. The combination treatment of B30+ cluster thinning+ shoot topping (T15) appeared to be superior to achieve the balance between vine growth and productivity, since internodes length and diameter as well as pruning weight and total biomass were improved. Moreover, T15 recorded the highest yield, enhanced cluster weight, as well as berry physical and chemical quality parameters.

First results of vertical cordon training system for red and black currants in Romania

First results of vertical cordon training system for red and black currants in Romania