Impact of Training System and Vine Spacing on Vine Performance and Berry Composition of Seyval blanc

Abstract

Own-rooted Seyval blanc vines were subjected to five training treatments [Geneva Double Curtain (GDC); Hudson River Umbrella (HRU); 6-arm Kniffin (6AK); midwire cordon (MWC); Y-trellis (YT)] and three vine spacings (1.4, 1.8, and 2.4 m). Weight of cane prunings (vine size) was lowest in GDC vines and was most optimal in HRU, 6AK, and MWC systems. Increasing vine spacing decreased vine size linearly on a per meter of row basis. Yields of divided canopies (GDC and YT) averaged 42% higher than single curtain systems, but cluster weights, berries per cluster, and berry weights were lower. The GDC system produced fruit with lowest °Brix, but also with lowest titratable acidity (TA) and pH and the least percentage of bunch rot. Vine spacing reduced yield linearly with increasing spacing, but it had a limited influence on fruit composition.