Abstract
A critical study was carried out to find such a new systematic method of grape culture as to be able to supply fresh grapes at any time throughout the year even in high latitude region as in Japan. Two-year-old grapevines, cv. ‘Kyoho’ were stored in a bundle containing 10 vines in the refrigerator at 1°C and planted in every month during the current season of 1976. Shoot growth, development of floral organs, berry growth, and the size and quality of berries at harvest were compared among different planting times.
Effect of different storage temperatures on the growth and development of vines planted in the fall of 1976 was also examined.
1. Growth cycles of the grapevine were affected not only by the length of storage period, but also by the climatic conditions after planting. The longer the storage period, the poorer the floral development and subsequent berry growth became, especially when the vines were planted in July or August.
2. Shoot growth was extremely reduced under short day conditions when the vines were planted in and after September. It is necessary, therefore, to supply artificial light during fall and winter season.
3. Berry size in any of stored vines was smaller than that in the control, and was at best 65% of the control in July and September planting. Berry quality was best in May planting, provided that the size was a slightly smaller than the control.
4. Among the different temperatures during storage period, shoot growth and berry quality after planting were poor when the vines were exposed to the lowest temperature (-2°C), but were favorable when exposed to a higher temperature (4°C), though degree of rot and infection of the roots by microorganisms were severer.
