Influence of Leaf Area on Fruit Development and Quality of Italia Glasshouse Table Grapes

Abstract

Restricting the leaf area providing photosynthates for each grape cluster reduced mean cluster weight through a reduction in mean berry weight. Berries from plants with reduced leaf area grew more slowly and never reached the size of berries from plants with higher leaf areas. Time taken to reach maturity (16° Brix) was also affected as plant leaf area decreased; accumulation of sugars and reduction in titratable acidity were retarded. Over one month's difference in picking date was recorded between the two extreme treatments. In this experiment, Italia grapes required between 7.2 cm² and 9.5 cm² of leaf area per gram of fruit to promote optimal ripening.