Yield and Compositional Differences Between Selections of Grapevine CV. Cabernet Sauvignon

Abstract

Eight selections of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Cabernet Sauvignon from three international sources were compared for productivity, fruit composition and growth. Significant differences between selections were detected in each aspect. Selections I.V.69.2217 and R3V19E consistently outyielded all others. The greater yields were attributed to a combination of a greater number of clusters per vine, greater number of berries per cluster and greater berry weights. The cumulative yield of the Californian selection I.V.69.2217 was 19.6% and 18.7% greater than the popular Australian selections A.V.70.2259 and A.V.70.2351, respectively. Lowest cumulative yields were obtained from the French selections I.C.70.8157, I.C.70.8158 and I.C.70.8159.

Selection-dependent differences in the concentration of soluble solids and pH of the juice were consistently detected when fruit was harvested on the same date. Vegetative growth, measured as the weight of prunings removed during dormancy, was greatest in the selections R3V19E, R2VlW, and I.V.69.2217.

These results could not be attributed solely to differences arising from the incidence of virus-like diseases among the selections. The results support a genetic basis for at least part of the enhanced productivity achieved through selection.