Abstract
The influence of timing and method of basal defoliation on the profile and content of anthocyanins and flavonols in Tempranillo grapes was investigated. Basal leaf removal was manually and mechanically performed at two phenological stages, prebloom and fruit set. Phenolic composition was determined in grape extracts by HPLC-UV-Vis and 13 anthocyanin and flavonol compounds were identified and quantified. Regardless of the timing and method of defoliation, basal leaf removal led to more ripened fruit in terms of higher soluble solids and reduced acidity and favored the accumulation of flavonols and anthocyanins, which was related to the increase in total leaf area per yield observed in defoliated vines. For anthocyanins, there was a significant relationship between their concentrations and the larger relative skin mass observed in berries of defoliated vines. In general, the enhancement in flavonols and anthocyanins observed in berries from basal-defoliated vines tended to be greater when defoliation was conducted mechanically; yet overall, no evident differences between prebloom and fruit-set defoliation were found.
- ©2012 by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture
Sign in for ASEV members
ASEV Members, please sign in at ASEV to access the journal online.
Sign in for Institutional and Non-member Subscribers
Log in using your username and password
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 2 day for US$10.00
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.
Vol 63 Issue 3
