2007 Volume 6 Issue 2 Pages 271-275
‘Aki Queen’ (Vitis labrusca L. × V. vinifera L.) is a bright-red grape cultivar, but often bears undesirable colored berries that are not only poor but also deep. To improve the bunch color, the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on coloration were investigated in ‘Aki Queen’ grape. ABA (1,000 ppm) was applied to seeded bunches on 54 (veraison), 63, 72 days after anthesis. In the 54-day treatment, ABA did not affect the coloration. In 63- and 72-day treatments, ABA application promoted total anthocyanin concentration in the skin of the berries, resulting in an increase of proper and deep colored berries. Different coloration of respective berries in the same bunch occurred in all treatment fractions. ABA application did not influence either the anthocyanin composition, sugar and organic acid concentrations in the juice, or the weights of the bunch or individual berry.
