Effects of different leaf water potentials (?leaf) and cluster thinning applications on cluster and berry characteristics in cv. sangiovese

Abstract

This research was conducted in Sarkoy district in Tekirdag province. Location of research plot was 40° 37' 49.98" N latitude and 27° 09' 28.00" E in longitude, with 41m altitude, in 2013 vegetation period. Experimental research design was completely randomized block in 4 blocks. Leaf water potential and cluster thinning applications were performed in order to determine cluster and berry characteristics. Four different levels of leaf water potentials (?leaf); Control ?pd n?(-0,3; -0,5MPa], ?pd n?(-0,3; -0,6MPa] and ?pd n?(-0,3; -0,7MPa] and two levels of cluster thinning applications (CTA); non cluster thinning (NCT) and 50% cluster thinning (50% CT) were performed in this research. Cluster characteristics (cluster lenght, width, weight, volume, berry number in cluster) and berry characteristics (berry fresh and dry weight, % dry weight, berry volume, berry density, berry skin area calculation, berry skin area / berry volume calculation) were investigated. ?pd n?(-0,3; -0,5MPa] application resulted in highest cluster weight and cluster width; but the lowest in berry dry weight. On the other hand ?pd n?(-0,3; -0,7MPa] application increased the yield and quality values. Control application decreased yield and quality values. Cluster thinning application did not affect the leaf water potential significantly. As a suggestion in cv. Sangiovese leaf water potential should be between n?(-0,2; -0,35MPa] in berry set-veraison stage and between n?(-0,3; -0,7MPa] in veraison-maturity stage in order to increase the berry sugar concentration (°Brix) 50 % cluster thinning applications should applied. © 2017 Namik Kemal University - Agricultural Faculty. All Rights Reserved.