Project Number: 5358-21000-034-12
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Aug 19, 2004
End Date: Dec 31, 2008

Objective:
Study the adaptability, berry maturity, quality, and horticultural performance, such as crop load and canopy management in various new selections and cultivars of table grapes under Southwest Idaho conditions. Improve berry quality and size in those table grapes which are showing promising results under the climate conditions of the PNW by girdling, cluster thinning, and cutting and gibberellic acid. Study the effects of storage on fruit quality. Prolong the period of table grape beyond California grapes, and, perhaps, reduce the Chilean grape import in the PNW in the winter.

Approach:
Grapes will be selected and planted at the University of Idaho vineyard along with several new cultivars. Fruit quality attributes will be measured; vine growth, bloom dates, and fruit maturity and quality attributes will be evaluated. Table grapes planted at the University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center between 1994 and 2001 will be used in the study. Cluster thinning and girdling will be performed on one lateral cordon to follow vine survival during the following winter. Callus development and wound-healing will be evaluated. In cultivars that show a satisfactory rate of wound-healing, the entire vine will be girdled. Grapes will be harvested between mid September and mid October. Seven replications from six cultivars that show promise, based on previous experiments, will be stored at 32 degrees and evaluated for berry quality attributes after 20, 40, and 60 days. Documents SCA with U of Idaho.