Effect of Leaf Removal on Composition of Wine Grape Varieties Grown in Semiarid Tropical Climate of India

Removing leaves from cluster zone is one of the management practices followed to improve fruit composition in temperate wine grape growing countries. However, knowledge on canopy management practices to improve fruit and juice composition for quality wine making is still lacking in semiarid tropical...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Satisha J, Somkuwar R G
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society for Promotion of Horticulture - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research 2019-12-01
Series:Journal of Horticultural Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jhs.iihr.res.in/index.php/jhs/article/view/794
Description
Summary:Removing leaves from cluster zone is one of the management practices followed to improve fruit composition in temperate wine grape growing countries. However, knowledge on canopy management practices to improve fruit and juice composition for quality wine making is still lacking in semiarid tropical regions of India. Due to ample sunlight availability during fruit growth in semiarid tropics, it is unclear whether the leaves have to be removed from cluster zone. In case the leaves have to be removed, the direction from which it has to be done is also important. Hence, this study was conducted to see the effect of leaf removal from two sides of canopy on fruit composition in two wine grape varieties. In Cabernet Sauvignon vines leaf removal from both east and west side of the canopyimproved fruit quality in terms of reduced pH, potassium, malic acid and increased phenolics. Nevertheless, removing leaves from eastern side was found to be better than western side, because clusters are exposed toexcess sunlight. However, in Sauvignon Blanc, leaf removal from east side improved most of the desirable fruit composition parameters, while leaf removal from west side reduced the fruit quality in terms of sugars, acids, pH, total phenols etc.
ISSN:0973-354X
2582-4899