Effect of Cane Length on Concord and Niagara Grapevines

Abstract

Concord and Niagara grapevines in Fredonia, NY, were studied from 2001 to 2005 to evaluate the impact of cane length on yield, vine size, crop load, and juice soluble solids (JSS). Concord grapevines were manually pruned to 100 buds using three configurations: two-node spurs or five- or 10-node canes. Niagara grapes were manually pruned to 80 buds using three configurations: two-node spurs or five- or 10-node canes. In addition to standard viticulture measurements, yield was measured separately at each node position along the spur or cane in 2004 to 2005. There was a pattern in bud fruitfulness along the length of the cane, with the greatest yield originating from node positions three to six in Concord and two to six in Niagara; this did not change with pruning treatment. Since all vines were pruned to a constant total node number, five- and 10-node cane treatments had a greater proportion of more-fruitful buds and higher final yield than the two-node spurs in two out of five years. The higher yield on longer canes also led to greater crop load values indicative of overcropped vines, which decreased vine size. In contrast, two-node spur-pruning maintained balanced crop load values and adequate vine size. In the final two years of the study, there was no difference in final yield or JSS among pruning treatments because the longer cane treatments were starting the season with lower vine capacity.