TY - JOUR T1 - Gibberellic Acid for Table Grape Inflorescence Elongation: Is It Worth It? JF - American Journal of Enology and Viticulture JO - Am J Enol Vitic. DO - 10.5344/ajev.2022.22003 VL - 74 IS - 1 SP - 0740012 AU - M. Cecilia Peppi AU - Edgard Álvarez Y1 - 2023/01/01 UR - http://www.ajevonline.org/content/74/1/0740012.abstract N2 - Background and goals Gibberellic acid (GA3) is sometimes used at prebloom to help control cluster compactness, but controversy has been raised regarding its efficacy, particularly in table grape production. A trial was established to evaluate prebloom GA3 on rachis length.Methods and key findings In GA3-treated and untreated clusters, rachises were divided into three arbitrary segments. The increase in length of each segment was evaluated from a month before bloom until the beginning of summer. Prebloom GA3 rapidly triggered rachis growth in length, but only in the middle and distal portions of the inflorescence. The top area was not affected. The standard table grape cluster tipping that followed eliminated the cluster distal portion and all GA3 related rachis growth. GA3-treated clusters had longer segments removed compared to untreated ones. Shot berries and rachis thickness were also increased, but cluster and berry weight remained the same.Conclusions and significance The effects of GA3 on rachis length at prebloom can be discarded by other required standard table grape practices. The negative and cumulative effects should be considered when analyzing its usefulness. Knowing the benefits and disadvantages of this practice will help table grape growers to optimize plant growth regulator programs. ER -