Comparative analysis of grape yield regulation techniques as ways for improving the quality of harvested grapes and musts

Authors

  • Adrián Selnekovič Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Institute of Horiculture, Tr. A. Hlinku, 2, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia, Tel.: +421 37 641 4712 , Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra image/svg+xml Author
  • Martin Janás Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, SUA University Farm, Ltd., Hlavná 561, 951 78 Kolíňany, Slovakia, Tel.: +421 37 641 4229 , Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra image/svg+xml Author
  • Štefan Ailer Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Institute of Horiculture, Tr. A. Hlinku, 2, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia, Tel.: +421 37 641 5804 , Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra image/svg+xml Author
  • Ján Mezey Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Institute of Horiculture, Tr. A. Hlinku, 2, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia, Tel.: +421 37 641 5802 , Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra image/svg+xml Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5219/scifood.82

Keywords:

cluster weight, grape yield, tipping, thinning, grapevine

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of three grape yield regulation methods as means to improve grape and must quality in the white wine grape variety Welschriesling (Vitis vinifera L.). The experiment was conducted during the 2024 growing season in the Nitra wine-growing region (Slovakia). Three experimental and one control variants were used, each represented by 12 grapevines in three field replications. Treatments were applied manually. Variant 1 was the control variant with no interventions; variant 2 at BBCH 57 was inflorescence reduction; variant 3 at BBCH 75 was cluster tipping; and variant 4 at BBCH 77 was cluster thinning. Treatment effects were evaluated using Tukey’s test (p <0.05). Inflorescence reduction resulted in the highest cluster weight (177.58 g), which was higher than in cluster tipping (110.28 g) and in cluster tipping variants (117.39 g). The applied treatments had no significant effect on berry weight (p >0.05). All yield-regulation treatments significantly reduced yield per vine compared with the control, with the greatest reduction observed under cluster thinning; yields per hectare declined by 25.27–36.37%. The highest total sugar content was recorded in the inflorescence removal variant (214.58 g/l), while this variant also showed a reduced total acid content (6.17 g/l) (p <0.05). The results confirm that grape yield regulation represents an effective tool for improving technological grape quality, while the choice of reduction technique determines the balance between yield and quality enhancement under Central European growing conditions for the given grape variety.

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2026-02-26

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How to Cite

Comparative analysis of grape yield regulation techniques as ways for improving the quality of harvested grapes and musts. (2026). Scifood, 20(1), 166-177. https://doi.org/10.5219/scifood.82

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