Abscisic acid sprayed to the leaves increases yield in field-grown grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Cabernet Sauvignon by augmenting berry set and without affecting anthocyanin content and total polyphenol index

QUIROGA, A.M.; BERLI, F.; MORENO, D.; CAVAGNARO, J.B.; BOTTINI,R.

JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION

Springer

Lugar: New York; Año: 2009 vol. 28 p. 28 - 35

0721-7595

In Vitis vinifera periods of water hindrance are habitually used to increase grape quality for winemaking although it may affect yield. Since ABA is involved in the signaling of water stress in plants, this work studied the effect of giving the signal without the stress. ABA 250 mg L-1 was sprayed weekly (since bud-burst until pre-harvest) to the leaves of a vineyard of the cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. In ABA-treated plants berry yield was increased during three consecutive seasons (2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007). From all the parameters assessed (that included number of internodes, shoot length, leaf area, leaf water potential at midday, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance), the number of berries per bunch was the component that accounted for the improved yield of ABA-treated plants, which ranged from 48% to 103%. Berries of ABA-treated plants were the same size and accumulate equal (or even higher) amounts of sugars, anthocyanins and total polyphenols as controls. In wine made from the grapes collected, again, no differences were found in both, anthocyanin content and total polyphenol index. In conclusion, three seasons of experiments demonstrated that ABA enhanced yield in field-grown grape (cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) by favoring berry set and without affecting the quality for winemaking.