The Tatura Trellis — A System of Growing Grapevines for Early and High Production

Abstract

A trellis system is described on which grapevines were planted at densities of 2222 and 4444 per hectare and trained in a 60° V shape with the permanent framework specially arranged for the vines to occupy their spaces quickly on a multiple wire trellis. The design, called the Tatura Trellis, has a canopy with a high population of shoots maintained with regular boundaries and affords good leaf exposure to solar radiation. Ungrafted vines of three wine grape cultivars produced 23-44 t/ha in their second year and accumulated a total yield of up to 92 t/ha when three years old. A comparison has been made between the Tatura Trellis system and other vineyard systems with respect to certain parameters which influence productivity and quality. Close planting and early cropping impaired vine vigor and reduced total canopy leaf area which resulted in poor fruit quality. Possible means of increasing vine vigor and canopy leaf area are discussed.