Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effects exerted by early leaf removal (ELR) and cluster thinning (CT) on vegetative growth, yield components and berry composition of Teran (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in Istria region, Croatia. Both treatments were compared with an untreated control (C) during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. ELR implied removing six basal leaves at pre-flowering stage, while in CT 35% of clusters were removed at the onset of veraison. Both ELR and CT resulted in lower yield per vine compared to C (22% and 37% less, respectively) and greater Brix in berries at harvest (+1.3 and 1.0, respectively). The concentration of total phenolics in grapes increased 19% in ELR and 6% in CT in comparison to C, while total anthocyanin concentration increased only in ELR (+20% vs. C). Despite greater yield and lower leaf area/yield ratio in comparison to CT, ELR achieved higher total anthocyanin and phenolic concentration, suggesting that this practice is more suitable than CT for the production of high quality Teran grapes.
- ©2017 by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture
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