Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXIV, Issue 1
Written by Eleonora NISTOR, Alina DOBREI, Alin DOBREI, Gabriel CIORICA
The aim of the study was to investigate the climate and canopy management effects on Merlot and Pinot Noir berries quality, from Minis vineyards, Romania. During four growing seasons (2016-2019), crop load and cluster thinning were investigated on double Guyot training system. For grape berries composition analysis samples were individual harvested on each vine. Each season was applied for both varieties the same winter pruning level, for 10, 20, 30 and 40 crop load. For vine balance, bunches were removed in three stages of the growing season: fruit set, lag phase and 20% veraison. Crop load associated with climate from growing season influenced the grape berries composition concerning the sugar, titratable acidity and pH, more than cluster thinning treatments. Weather within growing season override the canopy management practices: cold and wet weather in the spring decrease the grape production while warm weather mainly in the ripening time had little effect on Merlot and Pinot Noir berries composition. Therefore, cluster thinning is expensive with high production losses and small increase in grape berries qualities to can balance the profit of winemakers.
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