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Effect of delaying budburst on shoot development and yield of Vitis vinifera L. Chardonnay ‘Mendoza’ after a spring freeze event
Author(s) -
FRIEND A.P.,
TROUGHT M.C.T.,
STUSHNOFF C.,
WELLS G.H.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
australian journal of grape and wine research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.65
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1755-0238
pISSN - 1322-7130
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-0238.2011.00162.x
Subject(s) - shoot , pruning , biology , vine , horticulture , yield (engineering) , botany , agronomy , metallurgy , materials science
Abstract Background and Aims: Spring freeze events can result in substantial grapevine yield losses in many parts of the world. Understanding vine responses following early spring freeze events will aid in the development of decision support systems for vineyards damaged by freezing temperatures. Methods and Results: The date of budburst of spur‐pruned Chardonnay vines was manipulated by pruning time and/or the application of sodium alginate gel. A spring freeze event occurred at bud swell/woolly bud, killing 33% of the developing shoots. Treatments that delayed bud development expressed a lower incidence of freeze damage (as low as 3%). Where primary shoots had been killed, secondary shoots developed in their place. The yield from secondary shoots was 32% of that from primary shoots, with the majority of fruiting secondary shoots bearing only one bunch. Average bunch weight, number of berries per bunch and average berry weight of secondary shoots were comparable with those from primary shoots. Conclusions: The damage to primary shoots caused by early spring freeze events can be reduced by using treatments that delay bud development. Secondary shoots develop in response to death of the primary shoot, and although they have reduced fruitfulness, they can partially mitigate the potential yield losses associated with the death of primary shoots. Significance of the Study: The number and fruitfulness of secondary shoots that develop after a spring freeze event determine the extent of mitigation of yield losses associated with the death of primary shoots.