Phenology, thermal requirement and ripening of the ‘Bordo’ grape in Bocaiuva do Sul, PR - Brazil

Abstract

The grapes cultivation is highly dependent on the climatic conditions of each region. Therefore to obtain high quality fruits it is essential to have knowledge of phenological stages, thermal demand of plant which helps the grower to program different cultural practices for vineyard which in turn reduce the cost of production and providing high quality raw material for the industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of the ‘Bordo’ grape for its cultivation in the region of Bocaiuva do Sul, PR, to characterize the phenological stages in days, the thermal demand and ideal time to harvest ‘Bordo’ grapes. The experiment was performed in a conventional orchard, conducted in trellis in the municipality of Bocaiuva do Sul, PR, harvests in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. Evaluations were made from pruning to harvest, were studied: the phenology, the thermal demand and timing of harvesting by means of chemical analyzes of SS, TA, pH and relation between SS/TA. The ‘Bordo’ grape has the potential to be produced in Bocaiuva do Sul-PR, with a cycle from 154 to 171 days and thermal demand from 1524 to 1623 GD during the pruning at harvest. The ideal time to harvest was the first week of February, when the ‘Bordo’ grapes already has the minimum characteristics required by law.