Work

Minimal Pruning Influences Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of `Ruby Cabernet' Grapevines

Year: 1995

Type: article

Abstract: Grape growers in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California are increasingly concerned about production costs. Reduced demand for wine grapes from this district has resulted in low prices and a decline in grower profitability in recent years. Minimal pruning is a low-cost production system that was developed in Australia more than 20 years ago. This system offers complete mechanization of pruning and harvesting. In general, there is little information available on the use of minimal pruning in California vineyards. The propose of the experiment was to compare the effects of hand and minimal pruning on growth, yield, and fruit composition of `Ruby Cabernet' grapevines. This experiment was conducted in a commercial vineyard near Huron, Calif., during the 1993 and 1994 seasons. Minimally pruned vines had more shoots and fewer mature nodes than hand-pruned vines. Yield and components of yield were also significantly altered by pruning method. Minimal pruning produced the highest yield and number of clusters, while hand-pruning resulted in larger berry weight, cluster weight, and number of berries per cluster. Pruning method did not significantly affect fruit composition.

Source: HortScience

DOI: 10.21273/hortsci.30.4.844

Authors: R.K. Striegler, G.T. Berg

Language: English

Topic: Horticultural and Viticultural Research

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000

Funder: Iowa State University