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IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 GiESCO 9 GiESCO 2015 9 GiESCO 2015 – Session 4: Grape berry, microclimate 9 Merlot grapevine anthocyanins are influenced by light microclimate and applied water amounts in the hot climate

Merlot grapevine anthocyanins are influenced by light microclimate and applied water amounts in the hot climate

Abstract

A field trial was conducted in central California on Merlot to determine the interaction of mechanical leaf removal (control, pre-bloom, post fruit set) and water amounts [sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) at (0.8) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) at (0.8–0.5–0.8) of vineyard evapotranspiration (ETc)] on productivity and berry skin anthocyanin content. Irrigation treatments had a significant effect on midday leaf water potential but no such effect for leaf removal. The pre-bloom leaf removal maintained 20% of photosynthetically active radiation in the fruit zone. The RDI treatment reduced berry mass. Leaf removal treatments did not affect number of berries per cluster or yield. Leaf area to fruit ratio was reduced with pre-bloom leaf removal and RDI. Anthocyanin concentration improved with pre-bloom leaf removal but irrigation treatments did not affect it. The pre-bloom leaf removal with RDI produced the most total skin anthocyanins (TSA) per kg while no leaf removal with SDI produced the least. This study provides tentative information to red wine grape growers in hot climate regions on how to manage light microclimate in the fruit zone to enhance anthocyanin concentration.

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Publication date: 07/09/2026

Issue: GiESCO 2015

Type: Extended abstract

Authors

Kaan Kurtural1,*, Michael Cook1, James A. Kennedy1, Gregory Gambetta2

1 Dept. Viticulture and Enology, California State University 2360 E Barstow Ave. Fresno, CA 93740 USA

2 UMR EGFV ISVV, 210 Chemin de Leysotte – CS 50008 33882 Villenave d’Ornon Cedex, France

Contact the author*

Keywords

leaf removal, HPLC, irrigation, vineyard mechanization

Tags

GiESCO | GiESCO 2015 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

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