The effect of partial defoliation on growth characteristics of vitis vinifera L. cv. cabemet sauvignon I. vegetative growth

Date
1990
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Society for Enology and Viticulture
Abstract
The effect of partial defoliation of the whole canopy on vegetative growth of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon was investigated. Vegetative growth of vines followed the well-known pattern for 0%, 33% and 66% defoliation, i.e. an increase until veraison followed by a decline. Partial defoliation conducted from different developmental stages had no significant effect on leaf area and main shoot length at subsequent developmental stages. The earlier defoliation was applied, the more lateral shoot length and the number of lateral shoots increased, resulting in higher total shoot lengths but no significant differences in cane mass. Partial defoliation from veraison had no effect on lateral growth. Canopy density and relative humidity decreased, while sunlight penetration and windspeed increased in the canopy with partial defoliation. The improved canopy light environment facilitates improved photosynthetic efficiency of leaves as well as development and composition of grapes.
Description
CITATION: Hunter, J. J. & Visser, J. H. 1990. The effect of partial defoliation on growth characteristics of vitis vinifera L. cv. cabemet sauvignon I. vegetative growth. South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture, 11(1):18-25, doi:10.21548/11-1-2237.
The original publication is available at http://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/sajev
Keywords
Grapevines -- Defoliation, Vegetative growth of vines, Grapevines -- Defoliation -- Physiological effect, Cabemet sauvignon I -- Vegetative growth
Citation
Hunter, J. J. & Visser, J. H. 1990. The effect of partial defoliation on growth characteristics of vitis vinifera L. cv. cabemet sauvignon I. vegetative growth. South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture, 11(1):18-25, doi:10.21548/11-1-2237