Influence of girdling and gibberellic acid on yield components, fruit composition, and vestigial seed formation of 'Sovereign Coronation' table grapes
2004
Reynolds, A.G. | Savigny, C de
Vestigial seeds of 'Sovereign Coronation' table grapes frequently form partial seedcoats that are perceptible during consumption. This problem was addressed through cane/cordon girdling and gibberellic acid (GA3) sprays. 'Sovereign Coronation' vines were subjected to one of five treatments untreated control; cane/cordon girdled; 15 ppm GA3 at bloom (GA1); GA1 + 40 ppm GA3 14 days later (GA2); GA2 + 40 ppm GA3 14 days later. GA3 had no effect on yield or clusters per vine, but postbloom GA3 treatments increased cluster and berry weights and reduced berries per cluster. Fruit maturity was not consistently affected by the treatments, although slight increases in degrees Brix and pH and decreases in titratable acidity (TA) were associated with postbloom GA3 treatments. Use of postbloom GA3 applications reduced the number and weight of vestigial seeds with developed seedcoats, and reduced the number and weight of undeveloped seeds as well in 2 of 3 years. Girdling increased cluster and berry weights, decreased degrees Brix and TA, and increased pH. Transpiration rate of leaves on girdled vines was also higher than control vines on one sampling date. Data suggest that use of bloom and postbloom GA3 applications to 'Sovereign Coronation' may reduce the formation of perceptible vestigial seeds and thus improve the marketability of this cultivar.
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