Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production
HORMA 201 - M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture
UNIT I: Apple, Pear, Quince, Grapes
Table of Contents
Commercial varieties of regional, national and international importance,
Ecophysiological requirements, recent trends in propagation, rootstock influence,
planting systems, cropping systems, root zone and canopy management, nutrient
management, water management, fertigation, bioregulation, abiotic factors limiting fruit
production, physiology of flowering, fruit set and development, abiotic factors limiting
production, physiological disorders-causes and remedies, quality improvement by
management practices; maturity indices, harvesting, grading, packing, precooling,
storage, transportation and ripening techniques; industrial and export potential, Agri Export Zones(AEZ) and industrial support.
Chapter 4 -
🍇 GRAPES (Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca)
Family: Rose family (Rosaceae)
Family: Rose family (Rosaceae)
Commercial Varieties of Regional, National, and International Importance
Global Perspective:
Of over 10,000 grapevine varieties, just 13 account for more than one-third of the world's vineyard area.
Top international wine grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Syrah/Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Airén.
Major table grape varieties: Thompson Seedless, Red Globe, Crimson Seedless, Emperor, Ruby Seedless, Calmeria, and Christmas Rose.
Red Globe is the world’s second most cultivated table grape, with 91% of its area in China but also grown in the US, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa.
India:
Leading varieties: Thompson Seedless (most exported), Bangalore Blue, Anab-e-Shahi, Sharad Seedless, Sonaka, and Perlette.
Varieties in demand for export: Thompson Seedless, Red Globe, Crimson Seedless, and Ruby Seedless.
Ecophysiological Requirements
Climate:
Grape is a sun-loving, warm-temperate to subtropical crop.
Requires dry, warm weather during ripening; sensitive to excessive humidity and rainfall during flowering and fruit set.
Optimal temperature: 15–35°C; chilling is not required for most commercial varieties.
Soil:
Deep, well-drained sandy loam to loam soils with pH 6.5–7.5 are ideal.
Tolerates moderate salinity and calcareous soils with appropriate rootstock selection.
Recent Trends in Propagation and Rootstock Influence
Propagation: Traditionally propagated by hardwood cuttings; budding and grafting (especially for rootstock use) are increasingly common.
Rootstock Influence:
Rootstocks are used to combat soil-borne pests (phylloxera, nematodes), salinity, drought, and to modulate vigor and yield.
Choice of rootstock significantly affects growth, yield, berry size, pruning weight, and fruit quality traits.
Rootstocks like Dogridge, St. George, 110R, and 1103P are popular in India for their tolerance to salinity and drought.
Rootstock-scion interactions can alter berry composition, including phenolics and secondary metabolites, which are crucial for wine quality.
The optimal rootstock can increase yield by over 50% compared to others.
Planting Systems and Cropping Systems
Planting Systems:
Systems include head, bower, kniffin, and espalier, with high-density planting gaining popularity for table grapes.
Spacing varies by system and vigor: typically 2–3 m between rows and 1.5–2 m between vines.
Cropping Systems: Monocropping is standard, but intercropping with vegetables is practiced during early vineyard establishment.
Planting Systems:
Systems include head, bower, kniffin, and espalier, with high-density planting gaining popularity for table grapes.
Spacing varies by system and vigor: typically 2–3 m between rows and 1.5–2 m between vines.
Cropping Systems: Monocropping is standard, but intercropping with vegetables is practiced during early vineyard establishment.
Root Zone and Canopy Management
Root Zone:
Deep tillage and organic amendments before planting.
Drip irrigation and mulching to maintain root health and moisture.
Canopy Management:
Pruning, shoot thinning, leaf removal, and training systems are used to optimize light interception, air movement, and fruit quality.
Balanced canopy ensures better disease control and uniform ripening.
Nutrient Management
Grapes are heavy feeders; balanced NPK and micronutrient application based on soil and leaf analysis.
Fertigation is widely practiced for precise nutrient delivery.
Grapes are heavy feeders; balanced NPK and micronutrient application based on soil and leaf analysis.
Fertigation is widely practiced for precise nutrient delivery.
Water Management and Fertigation
Water Management: Drip irrigation is preferred for efficiency and disease reduction. Critical stages: flowering, berry development, and pre-harvest.
Fertigation: Enables synchronized application of water and nutrients, improving yield and quality.
Water Management: Drip irrigation is preferred for efficiency and disease reduction. Critical stages: flowering, berry development, and pre-harvest.
Fertigation: Enables synchronized application of water and nutrients, improving yield and quality.
Bioregulation
Growth Regulators:
Gibberellic acid (GA3) is used for berry thinning, size enhancement, and cluster elongation, especially in seedless varieties.
Ethephon and other PGRs are used for uniform ripening and color development.
Abiotic Factors Limiting Fruit Production
Salinity, drought, and high temperature can reduce yield and quality; rootstock choice and vineyard management mitigate these.
Frost and hail can damage young shoots and clusters, especially in temperate regions.
Salinity, drought, and high temperature can reduce yield and quality; rootstock choice and vineyard management mitigate these.
Frost and hail can damage young shoots and clusters, especially in temperate regions.
Physiology of Flowering, Fruit Set, and Development
Flowering: Grapes are generally self-pollinated, but fruit set can be affected by weather extremes and nutrient imbalances.
Fruit Set and Development: Dependent on carbohydrate reserves, hormonal balance, and environmental conditions.
Flowering: Grapes are generally self-pollinated, but fruit set can be affected by weather extremes and nutrient imbalances.
Fruit Set and Development: Dependent on carbohydrate reserves, hormonal balance, and environmental conditions.
Physiological Disorders – Causes and Remedies
Berry Shatter: Caused by poor pollination or hormonal imbalance; managed by proper nutrition and GA3 application.
Uneven Ripening: Linked to nutrient or water stress; managed through balanced fertigation and canopy management.
Sunburn and Cracking: Prevented by adequate canopy cover and regulated irrigation.
Berry Shatter: Caused by poor pollination or hormonal imbalance; managed by proper nutrition and GA3 application.
Uneven Ripening: Linked to nutrient or water stress; managed through balanced fertigation and canopy management.
Sunburn and Cracking: Prevented by adequate canopy cover and regulated irrigation.
Quality Improvement by Management Practices
Cluster and berry thinning, regulated deficit irrigation, balanced nutrition, and canopy management are key to improving berry size, color, TSS, and flavor.
Cluster and berry thinning, regulated deficit irrigation, balanced nutrition, and canopy management are key to improving berry size, color, TSS, and flavor.
Maturity Indices, Harvesting, Grading, Packing, Precooling, Storage, Transportation, and Ripening Techniques
Maturity Indices: TSS (°Brix), acidity, color, and berry firmness.
Harvesting: Hand harvesting with careful handling to prevent berry damage.
Grading and Packing: Based on size, color, and cluster compactness, packed in ventilated cartons with cushioning.
Precooling and Storage: Rapid cooling to 0–1°C; controlled atmosphere storage extends shelf life.
Transportation: Refrigerated transport is essential for export.
Ripening: Grapes are non-climacteric; harvested at full maturity for best quality.
Maturity Indices: TSS (°Brix), acidity, color, and berry firmness.
Harvesting: Hand harvesting with careful handling to prevent berry damage.
Grading and Packing: Based on size, color, and cluster compactness, packed in ventilated cartons with cushioning.
Precooling and Storage: Rapid cooling to 0–1°C; controlled atmosphere storage extends shelf life.
Transportation: Refrigerated transport is essential for export.
Ripening: Grapes are non-climacteric; harvested at full maturity for best quality.
Industrial and Export Potential, Agri Export Zones (AEZ), and Industrial Support
Industrial Uses: Table grapes, raisins, wine, juice, vinegar, and grape seed oil.
Export Potential: India is a major exporter of fresh grapes, especially Thompson Seedless, to the EU, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
AEZ and Industrial Support: AEZs established in Maharashtra and other grape-growing regions to promote exports, cold chain infrastructure, and processing industries.
Industrial Uses: Table grapes, raisins, wine, juice, vinegar, and grape seed oil.
Export Potential: India is a major exporter of fresh grapes, especially Thompson Seedless, to the EU, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
AEZ and Industrial Support: AEZs established in Maharashtra and other grape-growing regions to promote exports, cold chain infrastructure, and processing industries.
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