Effects of bud loading levels and nitrogen doses on yield, physical and chemical properties of brined grapeleaves

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of several bud loading levels in winter pruning and nitrogen doses on yield and physical and chemical properties of fresh vine-leaves of grape cultivar “Narince”. Vines trained with bilateral cordon system was pruned to yield 35000 to 53000 buds/ha (16 or 24 buds/vine) above second bud in 2005 to 2006 growing season. Four nitrogen doses (0, 70, 140, 210 kg N /ha) were applied, in a completely randomized block with four replications. Brined-grape leaves were collected four times during growing season. Total fresh leaf yield (g/vine; kg/ha), number of leaves in 100 g samples, leaf area for physical properties; dry matter, ash, pH and titratable acidity for chemical properties were determined. Bud loading levels and N applications had significant effect (P<0.05) on fresh leaf yield. Fresh leaf yield varied from 2233 to 2978 kg/ha in 2005 and 3356 to 4221 kg/ha in 2006, respectively. Mean leaf area decreased with increasing of N doses and bud loading levels. Number of leaves in 100 g samples ranged from 33.3 to 38.9. Pruning and nitrogen doses had no effect on percent dry matter and ash ratio. Bud loading increased with pruning and N applications resulted in higher leaf yield which had no effect on total soluble solid (TSS), dry matter, ash ratio and decreased total leaf area. The results indicate that 140 kg N/ha and 40000 to 45000 buds/ha loading levels as vine growth is recommended.

Keywords: Brined-grape leaves, nitrogen, bud loading level, narince grape cultivar, Turkey.