RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 ABA Application during Flowering and Fruit Set Reduces Berry Number and Improves Cluster Uniformity
JF American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
JO Am J Enol Vitic.
FD American Society for Enology and Viticulture
SP 275
OP 282
DO 10.5344/ajev.2017.16079
VO 68
IS 3
A1 Koilkonda Padmalatha
A1 Hovav Weksler
A1 Amichay Mugzach
A1 Atiako Kwame Acheampong
A1 Chuanlin Zheng
A1 Tamar Halaly-Basha
A1 Etti Or
YR 2017
UL http://www.ajevonline.org/content/68/3/275.abstract
AB The major drawback of the early ripening Vitis vinifera cv. Early Sweet is its cluster compactness and significant variability in berry size. Here, we tested the ability of abscisic acid (ABA) to reduce the number of berries per cluster and improve berry size uniformity. Data collected from a commercial vineyard over three successive growing seasons suggest that ABA application significantly reduces berry number per cluster in a concentration-dependent manner, improves uniformity of berry size within clusters, and has no significant effect on rachis length. The results also suggest that the thinning effect of ABA depends on the bloom status of the inflorescence, with limited or no effect when applied at preanthesis and with a significant effect when applied at full bloom and soon after anthers are detached. Accordingly, the effects of a semicommercial application of ABA on berry number and size was significantly affected by asynchronous blooming. Completion of bloom may serve as a clear phenological marker for optimal timing of ABA application for uniform and effective thinning.