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Abstract
Grapevine canopies are managed in a variety of ways that can ultimately impact crop yield, canopy structure, and vegetative growth of the vine. Dormant pruning strategies can be altered throughout the lifetime of a vineyard and directly impact crop yield and vegetative growth of the grapevine. The trellis system, often considered to be permanent throughout the vineyard lifespan, can influence the source: sink relationships in the vine. The research presented herein evaluated practical pruning and trellising measures to improve crop yield while sustaining a balanced crop load in bunch wine grapes grown in North Georgia. A new trellis system, termed Athena, increased crop yield by 79% over the popular, spur pruned, vertically shoot positioned trellis system. Pruning to greater bud densities than currently recommended increased crop yield while rarely reducing sugar levels, and vine balance was maintained under high crop yields, particularly when canopy division was implemented.