Vertical Trellis System Research Articles

Evaluation of canopy fraction-based vegetation indices, derived from multispectral UAV imagery, to map water status variability in a commercial vineyard

AbstractWater stress is a major factor affecting grapevine yield and quality. Standard methods for measuring water stress, such as midday stem water potential (ΨSWP), are laborious and time-consuming for intra-block variability mapping. In this study, we investigate water status variability within a 2.42-ha commercial Cabernet Sauvignon block with a standard vertical trellis system, using remote sensing (RS) tools, specifically canopy fraction-based vegetation indices (VIs) derived from multispectral unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, as well as standard reference methods to evaluate soil and plant water status. A total of 31 target vines were monitored for ΨSWP during the whole growing season. The highest variability was at véraison when the highest atmospheric demand occurred. The ΨSWP variability present in the block was contrasted with soil water content (SWC) measurements, showing similar patterns. With spatial and temporal water stress variability confirmed for the block, the relationship between the ΨSWP measured in the field and fraction-based VIs obtained from multispectral UAV data was analysed. Four UAV flights were obtained, and five different VIs were evaluated per target vine across the vineyard. The VI correlation to ΨSWP was further evaluated by comparing VI obtained from canopy fraction (VIcanopy) versus the mean (VImean). It was found that using canopy fraction-based VIs did not significantly improve the correlation with ΨSWP (NDVIcanopyr = 0.57 and NDVImeanr = 0.53), however fractional cover (fcover) did seem to show a similar trend to plant water stress with decreasing canopy size corresponding with water stress classes. A subset of 14 target vines were further evaluated to evaluate if additional parameters (maximum temperature, relative humidity (RH), vapour pressure deficit, SWC and fractional cover) could serve as potential water stress indicators for future mapping. Results showed that the integration of NDVIcanopy and NDREmean with additional information could be used as an indicator for mapping water stress variability within a block.

Effect of trellis orientation on Passiflora incarnata growth and production

Passiflora incarnata L., often referred to commonly as ‘maypops’, has showy flowers and large fruit. This species has been identified in historical documents as being a food crop, although it is not presently grown as a commercial crop. To better facilitate harvest, Passiflora vines must be trellised to keep flowers and fruit off the ground. There are different methods to accomplish this, but there is little consensus as to the best model. Simple trellis systems made from t-posts, wire fencing, and cement blocks were erected onto a crushed rock covered nursery pad. One trellis was made horizontal to the ground roughly 0.3 m off the pad. The other trellis was vertical (perpendicular to the ground) and reached a height of 1.5 m. Three Passiflora species were used: Passiflora caerulea L. (blue passion flower), Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa O. Deg. (yellow passion fruit), and Passiflora incarnata (maypop). There were no statistically significant differences between vertical and horizontal trellised passion fruit vines in our study. Overall, trellis orientation did not appear to significantly impact vine growth, fruit growth, or fruit quality of Passiflora incarnata. We recommend employing a vertical trellis system for this species.

Spraying Ozonated Water on Bobal Grapevines: Effect on Wine Quality.

Ozonated water is being introduced as an alternative phytosanitary treatment to control grapevine diseases in a context in which the reduction of chemical pesticides has become an urgent necessity. In this study, we evaluated the effect of spraying grapevines with ozonated water on the enological, phenolic, and aromatic qualities of Bobal wines during two consecutive growing seasons. In the first season, ozonated water was applied once during the ripening period on grapevines trained on the traditional gobelet system (S1). In the second season, three applications were performed between fruit set and harvest on grapevines grown on a vertical trellis system (S2). The S1 treatment led to a wine with an increased alcoholic degree and a remarkably higher phenolic content, which resulted in preferable chromatic characteristics. The S2 treatment maintained the total phenolic content but significantly enhanced stilbenes and flavanols and also reduced anthocyanins, which negatively affected the wine colour. Regarding aroma, both treatments reduced the content of glycosylated precursors and had different effects on free volatiles, both varietal and fermentative. Thus, the metabolic response of grapevines to the ozonated water stress, and therefore the quality of wines, depended on the ozone dose received by the plants.

Alternative budburst management in Campanha Gaúcha vineyards

Abstract Seeking a less toxic alternative to budburst management than hydrogen cyanamide, doses of the mineral-organic product Erger® were tested in combination with calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2). The experiment was conducted in Santana do Livramento, southern Brazil, during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 growth cycles, in a ‘Merlot’ vineyard conducted in a vertical trellis system, pruned in double Guyot, with SO4 rootstock. Treatments were: Control (unsprayed); 5.0% Ca(NO3)2; 2.5% Erger® + 5.0% Ca(NO3)2; 5.0% Erger® + 5.0% Ca(NO3)2; 7.5% Erger® + 5.0% Ca(NO3)2; 3.5% Dormex® (positive control). All Erger® treatments stimulated budbreak, increasing budburst from 68% (unsprayed and calcium nitrate means) to 83% (Erger® means) in the first cycle and from 85% to 96% in the second one, with no difference among doses. Plants treated with Dormex® had budburst similar to Erger® in the first cycle (85%), but budburst in the second cycle was only 72%, possibly due to burned buds. Therefore, Erger®, in concentrations of 2.5% or more with 5% calcium nitrate, may be a promising alternative to induce budburst in regions with restrictions in cold availability.

Spraying ozonated water on Bobal grapevines: Effect on grape quality

Ozone is a powerful oxidant that is increasingly used as sanitizing agent in the wine industry and even in the vineyard to control grapevine diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effect on grape enological quality of ozonated water spraying treatments carried out in Bobal grapevines during two consecutive harvest seasons. In the first season, ozonated water was applied once during the ripening period on grapevines trained on the traditional gobelet system (S1). In the second season, ozonated water was applied three times between the fruit set and harvest on grapevines grown on a vertical trellis system (S2). Grape quality on harvest day was evaluated through several enological and chromatic parameters, the phenolic maturity, the Varietal Aroma Potential Index (IPAv) and the phenolic and volatile composition. The S1 treatment had a positive effect on the technological maturity, the chromatic parameters, the seed maturity and the content of glycosylated aroma precursors, phenolic compounds and free terpenoids of grapes. The S2 treatment also improved the technological maturity and the content of total anthocyanins (pH 1.0) and free terpenoids, but had a negative impact on the chromatic parameters, the anthocyanin extractability and the content of glycosylated aroma precursors and phenolic compounds. Therefore, ozonated water sprayed on Bobal grapevines affected the quality of grapes, but the effect seemed to depend on the number of applications.

Phenology and thermal requirements of grapevine cultivars in Dois Vizinhos, Paraná State, Brazil

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to characterize the phenology and thermal requirements of grapevine cultivars Bordô, BRS Carmem, BRS Lorena, BRS Magna, BRS Rubea, BRS Violeta, Concord, Concord Clone 30, Isabel, Isabel Precoce, Moscato Bailey, Moscato Embrapa, Niagara Branca, Niagara Rosada, and Seibel 5455 grafted on Paulsen 1103. The study was conducted in the fruit growing sector of the Federal Technological University of Paraná, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, Paraná State, Brazil, during the cycles of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates and two evaluated plants per plot. Plants were grown in a vertical trellis system and spur pruned with two buds. Evaluations of phenology and thermal requirements were carried out from pruning to harvest. Cultivars Moscato Bailey and Seibel 5455 had high thermal requirements and longer cycles, while cultivars BRS Magna, BRS Violeta, and Isabel Precoce had lower thermal requirements and shorter cycles. The cycle and the thermal requirements of cultivars ranged from 98 to 132 days, and from 1065 to 1548 degree-days, respectively.

Physical-chemical and chemical characterization of Passiflora cincinnata Mast fruits conducted in vertical shoot positioned trellis and horizontal trellises system

Abstract Passiflora cincinnata Mast. or Caatinga passion fruit is widely cultivated in the northeastern semi-arid regions of Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Bahia. The system of cultivation and field management of the Passiflora species affects the physicochemical quality of its fruits. In this study, we evaluated the chemical and physico-chemical characteristics of the fruits of 2 progenies (CPEF2220 and CBAF2334) of P. cincinnata species using the vertical and horizontal trellis system. Fruits were collected from the plants at their physiological maturation stage and tested for the fruit skin color and texture and the pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pulp acidity ratio, and the contents of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and polyphenols in the seedless fruit pulp. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme (progenies x conduction system) performed in 3 replications using 4 plants in each. The analysis of variance and the means were compared using the Tukey’s test at 5% probability. The results revealed that the CBAF2334 fruits presented with greener pigments and greater flavonoids. The fruits were characterized by their green color with some yellowish nuances and a low color saturation in both the progenies. The conduction system was not found to affect the physical and physicochemical characteristics as well as the anthocyanin and polyphenol contents of the studied species. The fruits of plants cultivated on vertical trellis presented with 56.73% more flavonoid content than those cultivated on horizontal trellis.

Yellow passion fruit in overhead trellis system do not differ in diseases intensity and is more productive compared to vertical trellis system

Abstract Brazil is the largest producer of passion fruit worldwide, however diseases have been reducing passion fruit productivity, and limiting its cultivation for several years in a row in the same area. The proposal of this study was to evaluate diseases intensity and productivity of yellow passion fruit in vertical and overhead trellis systems, during two seasons, in annual cycle. The experiment was realized in a commercial orchard of yellow passion fruit in the municipality of Araquari, SC, in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. The treatments were vertical and overhead trellis systems, tested in a randomized complete block design, with eight replications. The agronomic practices were performed according to the culture recommendations and naturally pollinated althoght no disease control was applied. Anthracnose, bacterial blight, cladosporiosis and passion fruit woodiness severities were assessed in two seasons, from December to June, after establishment of the trellis systems. Production of fruits per plant and estimated productivity were determined in both seasons. There were no differences in diseases severity in both systems and seasons. The overhead trellis system was more productive than the vertical trellis system, 78.1% and 57.1% respectively, in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. Overhead trellis system showed to be the most adequate for yellow passion fruit production.

Automated Detection of Branch Shaking Locations for Robotic Cherry Harvesting Using Machine Vision

Automation in cherry harvesting is essential to reduce the demand for seasonal labor for cherry picking and reduce the cost of production. The mechanical shaking of tree branches is one of the widely studied and used techniques for harvesting small tree fruit crops like cherries. To automate the branch shaking operation, different methods of detecting branches and cherries in full foliage canopies of the cherry tree have been developed previously. The next step in this process is the localization of shaking positions in the detected tree branches for mechanical shaking. In this study, a method of locating shaking positions for automated cherry harvesting was developed based on branch and cherry pixel locations determined using RGB images and 3D camera images. First, branch and cherry regions were located in 2D RGB images. Depth information provided by a 3D camera was then mapped on to the RGB images using a standard stereo calibration method. The overall root mean square error in estimating the distance to desired shaking points was 0.064 m. Cherry trees trained in two different canopy architectures, Y-trellis and vertical trellis systems, were used in this study. Harvesting testing was carried out by shaking tree branches at the locations selected by the algorithm. For the Y-trellis system, the maximum fruit removal efficiency of 92.9% was achieved using up to five shaking events per branch. However, maximum fruit removal efficiency for the vertical trellis system was 86.6% with up to four shakings per branch. However, it was found that only three shakings per branch would achieve a fruit removal percentage of 92.3% and 86.4% in Y and vertical trellis systems respectively.

GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION INTERCEPTION BY GRAPEVINES TRAINED TO A VERTICAL TRELLIS SYSTEM

ABSTRACT In this paper we assess the utilization of radiant energy in the growing of grapevines (Cabernet Sauvignon) trained to a vertical trellis system, and estimate the global solar radiation interception taking into account the physical characteristics of the training system at different phenological stages. The experiment was based on daily measurements of global solar radiation made by an automatic weather station placed at the vineyard of a winery located in the municipality of São Joaquim, in the southern Brazilian State of Santa Catarina (Villa Francioni winery, 28º 15’ 14” S, 49º 57’ 02” W, 1294m a.s.l.). Growth and phenological development of the shoots were evaluated. The global solar radiation is intercepted by the canopy (trained to a vertical trellis system) in different orientations and the accumulated total is slightly greater on the east than on the west face of the canopy, especially after flowering. The daily variability of global solar radiation intercepted by the canopy is greater after flowering. The accumulated solar energy incident on the canopy increases until the onset of ripening. From the results, vineyards trained to a vertical trellis system in the north-south direction provide favorable sunlight exposure to leaves and fruits and are promising in quality and productivity.

Balanço de energia e consumo hídrico de vinhedo de ‘Cabernet Franc’

O método do balanço de energia foi utilizado em vinhedo da uva para vinho ‘Cabernet Franc’, conduzido em espaldeira alta, para caracterizar a repartição do saldo de radiação (SR) nos diferentes fluxos de calor: latente (LE), sensível e no solo. Em média LE representou aproximadamente 79% de SR. São apresentadas as variações horárias dos componentes do balanço de energia para dias: ensolarado e nublado. O consumo hídrico do vinhedo para os diferentes subperíodos fenológicos foi: poda-florescimento (99 mm), florescimento-início de maturação (249 mm) e início de maturação-colheita (201 mm). Para o ciclo total (poda-colheita), o consumo hídrico obtido foi de 549 mm.

Fruit-localized photoreceptors increase phenolic compounds in berry skins of field-grown Vitis vinifera L. cv. Malbec

Sunlight exposure has multiple effect on fruits, as it affects the light climate perceived by fruit photoreceptors and fruit tissue temperature. In grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), light exposure can have a strong effect on fruit quality and commercial value; however, the mechanisms of light action are not well understood. The role of fruit-localized photoreceptors in the control of berry quality traits was evaluated under field conditions in a commercial vineyard in Mendoza (Argentina). Characterization of the diurnal dynamics of the fruit light environment in a vertical trellis system indicated that clusters were shaded by leaves during most of the photoperiod. Supplementation of the fruit light environment from 20days before veraison until technological harvest showed that red (R, 660nm) and blue (B, 470nm) light strongly increased total phenolic compound levels at harvest in the berry skins without affecting sugar content, acidity or berry size. Far-red (FR, 730nm) and green (G, 560nm) light supplementation had relatively small effects. The stimulation of berry phytochromes and cryptochromes favored accumulation of flavonoid and non-flavonoid compounds, including anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, phenolic acids and stilbenes. These results demonstrate that the chemical composition of grape berries is modulated by the light quality received by the clusters under field conditions, and that fruit photoreceptors are not saturated even in areas of high insolation and under management systems that are considered to result in a relatively high exposure of fruits to solar radiation. Therefore, manipulation of the light environment or the light sensitivity of fruits could have significant effects on critical grape quality traits.

Measurement of grapevine canopy leaf area by using an ultrasonic-based method

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Aim</strong>: Measurement of leaf area in grapevine has always been a critical point in researches focused on irrigation management, training systems, source-sink interrelationships and efficiency of spray application to canopies. In this work, we propose the use of ultrasonic sensors as a fast and accurate tool for the estimation of large portions of leaf canopy area.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods and results</strong>: Through outputs of ultrasonic sensors installed on a tractor moving along vineyard rows, we calculated an ultrasonic-based leaf density index that we correlated with three measurements or estimates of canopy area: I) direct measurement of the area of a canopy portion (LAØ), assessed by summing the areas of all the leaves, where each single-leaf area was assessed by regressing the leaf diameter (the maximum width perpendicular to the main rip) against the related leaf area calculated on the basis of a relation between the leaf diameter and the leaf area, previously assessed through an area meter on a 20-leaf sample; II) the point quadrat output (LApq); and III) the canopy leaf area index (LAI) obtained through LAI-2000 (Li-Cor) technology. The measurements were assessed on six cultivars in three replicate rows (8-12 plants per cultivar per row) in a vineyard trained to a vertical trellis system.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion</strong>: When we correlated the three independent control parameters with each other, we obtained highly significant correlations between LApq and LAØ, but less significant correlations between these two and LAI-2000 outputs. Also, the correlations between ultrasonic outputsoutputs and LAØ and LApq were significant, with R2 ranging between 0.84 and 0.85. On the contrary, no significant correlation was found between ultrasonic outputs and LAI-2000 outputs. These results were obtained by averaging all the values belonging to each replicated cultivar (10.5 m along the row, i.e., twelve contiguous vines); on the contrary, when the analysis was done over a shorter distance (3.5 m, i.e., four contiguous vines), the reliability of the ultrasonic-based method decreased.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Significance and impact of the study</strong>: These results point to the ultrasonic technology as a powerful tool to estimate large-scale leaf canopy area, with potential applications in precision farming. At the moment, however, the limitation of this approach is the requirement of reference values for leaf area (e.g., assessed by point quadrat) to obtain absolute and not only relative outputs. With this application we can quantify, in a few hours, the canopy of a whole vineyard, in order to analyze different vegetation zones or to follow canopy development.</p>

Microclima em vinhedos de 'Niagara rosada' em diferentes sistemas de condução durante safras de inverno e de verão

Na região vitícola de Jundiaí, o tradicional sistema de condução das plantas em espaldeira vem sendo paulatinamente substituído pela manjedoura na forma de Y. Alguns produtores têm lançado mão do uso de cobertura plástica para conferir maior proteção aos cachos de uva. Como esses diferentes sistemas de condução provocam alterações no microclima dos vinhedos, foram feitas medições de radiação solar global, umidade relativa, temperaturas máxima e mínima do ar no ambiente externo e na altura dos cachos de vinhedos de 'Niagara Rosada' conduzidos em espaldeira a céu aberto e em Y, com e sem cobertura de plástico, durante o período das safras de inverno e de verão. Verificou-se, que durante a safra de verão, as diferenças entre os valores diários de radiação solar, temperatura máxima do ar e umidade relativa foram mais elevadas em relação às da safra de inverno na comparação entre os sistemas de condução e o ambiente externo. Os vinhedos conduzidos em espaldeira apresentaram menores valores de radiação solar e umidade relativa do ar, na altura dos cachos. As temperaturas máximas e mínimas do ar foram semelhantes em todos os sistemas de condução e durante as diferentes safras. O uso de cobertura plástica no sistema de condução em Y não influiu na umidade relativa do ar e na temperatura mínima, porém propiciou aumento nos valores de temperatura máxima do ar.

Comportamento produtivo da videira 'Niagara Rosada' em diferentes sistemas de condução, com e sem cobertura plástica, durante as safras de inverno e de verão

Na região de Jundiaí (SP), os produtores de uva de mesa utilizam principalmente a cultivar Niagara Rosada. Atualmente, para aumentar a renda, o viticultor usa algumas alternativas tecnológicas que têm sido preconizadas, como o cultivo em manjedoura na forma de Y, em substituição ao sistema de condução em espaldeira; a poda extemporânea que permite duas safras por ano (de verão e de inverno) e o uso de cobertura plástica para a proteção dos cachos contra intempéries e doenças. Portanto, foi desenvolvido um experimento visando a caracterizar a influência do sistema de condução, do uso de cobertura plástica e da poda extemporânea na produção e no tamanho dos cachos de 'Niagara Rosada'. Os resultados obtidos durante as safras de verão (2008 e 2009) e de inverno (2009 e 2010) permitiram verificar que, no sistema de condução em Y, foram obtidas maiores produções e tamanho de cacho em relação ao espaldeira. O uso de cobertura plástica no sistema em Y propiciou aumento de produção devido ao incremento em número e massa dos cachos. Também foi verificado que tanto a produção quanto a massa do cacho foram superiores na safra de verão em comparação à de inverno.

Shoot growth of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapevine varieties

The objective of this work was to evaluate shoot growth of the grapevine varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, during 2006/2007, and Cabernet Sauvignon, during 2008/2009, in São Joaquim, SC, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a commercial vineyard trained on a vertical trellis system. The shoots of the central part of the plants were selected, and the lengths from the base to the apex of 20 shoots per cultivar were evaluated. In 2006/2007, monitoring began at pruning, on 9/15/2006, and ended on 2/6/2007, totalizing 144 days of evaluation. During the 2008/2009 cycle, phenology and shoot growth for 'Cabernet Sauvignon' were assessed from grape development (1/13/2009) (pea-sized grapes) until shoot vegetative growth had ceased. Budburst occurred in the second half of September, and shoot-growth cessation occurred during ripening. Higher growth rates (about 4 cm per day) were observed in pre- and post-flowering, followed by reduction due to the competition for photosynthates for the formation of flowers and bunches. Temperature and photoperiod induce grapevine shoots to cease growth in the highland regions of Santa Catarina State, Brazil.

IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT ON WINE GRAPES IN THE TROPICAL ZONE

The wine grape production in the tropical zone, and in particularly in the Brazilian semi-arid region, is dependent on irrigation practice due to insufficient rainfall and irregular distribution over three to four months in a year. Drip irrigation systems as well as vertical trellis system are predominant for wine grapes in this region. Some of the irrigation management guidance in practice in the field is based on previous experience and knowledge from other regions with some climate similarities, like USA (California) and Australia. As a relatively new crop in the Brazilian semi-arid region, first research results about irrigation scheduling or strategies in wine grapes are recent. Irrigation strategies as deficit irrigation, regulated deficit irrigation and partial rootzone drying have been evaluated. Therefore, research efforts in the Brazilian semi-arid region should be addressed to water consumption by scion/rootstock varieties, as well as ecophysiological behavior, berry and wine characteristics influenced by water management, according to local edaphic and climatic conditions.

Microclima e produção da uva de mesa 'Niagara Rosada' conduzida em espaldeira a céu aberto e em manjedoura na forma de "Y" sob cobertura de telado plástico

Foi desenvolvido um experimento em vinhedos de 'Niagara Rosada', conduzidos em espaldeira e em manjedoura na forma de Y com cobertura de telado plástico, visando a comparar as alterações microclimáticas induzidas pelo sistema de condução e uso de telado plástico, e o efeito na produtividade das videiras. Entre os parâmetros microclimáticos avaliados, apenas a radiação solar foi atenuada pelo telado plástico em cerca de 20%, acima do dossel, tendo sido transmitido para a altura do cacho, cerca de 41% da radiação solar no sistema em Y sob telado plástico e 21% no espaldeira. As temperaturas máximas e mínimas foram semelhantes em ambos os sistemas. A produção por planta e a massa dos cachos foram mais elevadas no sistema em Y sob telado plástico, em comparação ao espaldeira.

Raleio de cachos em vinhedos de altitude e qualidade do vinho da cultivar Syrah

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes intensidades de raleio de cachos de uvas (Vitis vinifera L.), em vinhedos de altitude, sobre a evolução dos compostos fenólicos durante a maturação da uva. O experimento foi conduzido em São Joaquim, SC, a uma altitude média de 1.230 m, em videiras da cv.Syrah, enxertadas sobre 'Paulsen 1103', conduzidas em espaldeira, em duplo cordão esporonado, espaçadas em 3x1,2 m, com cobertura antigranizo. Os tratamentos de raleio foram definidos de modo a se ter redução da produtividade em 13,3, 26,6 e 40% em relação à produtividade do tratamento controle sem raleio, estimada em 15 Mg ha-1. Os tratamentos foram ajustados quando 50% das bagas encontravam-se em "véraison". Odelineamento foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e 40 plantas por tratamento. As avaliações foram feitas nas safras 2005/2006 e 2006/2007. Avaliou-se a evolução dos compostos fenólicos durante as oito semanas antecedentes à colheita. O raleio de cachos aumentou o conteúdo de antocianinas quando a produtividade estimada foi de 12 Mg ha-1, e melhorou a composição fenólica das bagas, atributos esses favoráveis à produção de vinhos tintos finos de qualidade.

Níveis de produção em vinhedos de altitude da cv. Malbec e seus efeitos sobre os compostos fenólicos

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo obter informações sobre a evolução dos compostos fenólicos, de acordo com o nível de raleio de cachos, durante a maturação de uvas cv. Malbec, de modo a estabelecer critérios que contribuam para definir o manejo mais apropriado ao vinhedo. Os ensaios foram conduzidos durante as safras de 2005/06 e 2006/07, em um talhão do vinhedo Villa Francioni, no município de São Joaquim - Santa Catarina, com videiras da cultivar Malbec, enxertadas sobre 'Paulsen 1103' conduzidas em espaldeira, com espaçamento de 3,0m x 1,2m e cobertura antigranizo. Os níveis de raleio de cachos, ajustados na virada de cor "véraison", corresponderam a 13 t ha-1 (Testemunha), 11 t ha-1 (T1), 9 t ha-1 (T2) e 7 t ha-1 (T3), compondo um delineamento em blocos casualizados. Avaliou-se a evolução dos compostos fenólicos durante as oito semanas antecedentes à colheita, conforme os três níveis de raleio. Dos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que, para as condições de altitude, a prática de raleio de cachos influencia na composição fenólica das bagas da cultivar Malbec, aumentando o conteúdo de antocianinas facilmente extraíveis para um tratamento de raleio de cachos com uma produção esperada de aproximadamente 10 t ha-1, melhorando a composição fenólica das bagas, atributos favoráveis à produção de vinhos tintos finos amplos e estruturados.