Effect of bud load and fruiting unit length of the autumn crisp grape variety on growth, yield, and fruit quality

Abstract EN

This study was carried out in a private vineyard located in the el-Nubaria region, el-Behira governorate, for two consecutive seasons (2019 & 2020) to study the effect of bud load and fruiting unit length on bud behavior, growth, yield and fruit quality of "autumn crisp" grapevines (Vitis Vinifera L.).

the vines were ten-year-old, spaced at 2 x 3 meters apart, grown in sandy loamy soil, and irrigated by the drip irrigation system.

the vines were trained to quadrilateral cordon and spur pruned during the second week of January and trellised according to the gable system.

nine pruning treatments were conducted as follows ; three levels of bud loads / vine, namely 60, 84 or 108 buds/vine combined with three levels of spur length, namely 2, 4 or 6 buds / spur.

the results showed that the moderate pruning with bud load at 84 buds / vine and fruiting unit length at 4 buds / spur under the gable trellising system was preferable for ensuring the highest percentage of bud burst, as well as the reasonable yield with its components, improving fruit quality attributes i.e., the physical characteristics of bunches and the physical and chemical characteristics of berries, achieving the best vegetative growth aspects and increasing leaf content of total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as cane content of total carbohydrates of autumn crisp grape variety.