Studies on pre and post pruning growth regulator treatments on yield and quality of seedless grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sonaka)

Abstract

Good quality grapes invariably fetches premium price in the market. Apart from good variety, agro-climatic conditions, cultural and canopy management practices greatly influence the fruit quality. Other factors like crop regulation and use of plant regulator play very important role. An attempt was made in the present studies to reduce the pronounced influence of apical dominance in seedless grapes cv. Sonaka by adopting different levels of sub cane system coupled with growth regulator treatments after October pruning. The results revealed the importance of various growth regulators tested. Biozyme (0.25 ml/litre) + GA3 (25 ppm) was found to be most effective in increasing the bunch size, berry weight than Quantum and BR. It increased the berry diameter up to 17 mm. Among the various sub canes tested, developing sub canes by pinching at five bud levels was found to be more effective than pinching at four and six bud level.