Effects of different plastic sheet coverings on microclimate and berry ripening of table grape cv "Matilde"

Abstract

Two types of plastic cover (LDPE + EVA and LDPE + HDPE) were tested to assess their radiometric properties and the influence on the vegetative and reproductive performances of 'Matilde' table grape. Films showed the same transmittance to short infrared waves, but LDPE + EVA had a higher transmissivity to visible, PAR and short infrared wavelength ranges of solar radiation, especially as for the « direct » light component. In comparison to the open field, covering increased GDD accumulation and advanced budbreak by 12 days (LDPE + HDPE) or 20 days (LDPE + EVA). Commercial ripening (14 °Brix) was advanced by 8 and 22 days, respectively. Must acidity was higher in open field than under LDPE + EVA. Yield per vine increased under LDPE + EVA, although not at a significant level; bunch mass was higher under LDPE + EVA than in open field. Berry mass was maximum under LDPE + EVA and progressively decreased under LDPE + HDPE and in open field. Under covering, the pruning cane mass increased by 63% with LDPE + EVA and 43% with LDPE + HDPE.Résumé : Deux types de couverture plastique à base de polyéthylène à basse densité, associé à du éthylènvinylacétate dans un cas (LDPE+EVA) et dans l'autre à du polyéthylène à haute densité (LDPE + HDPE), ont été testés en Italie du Sud pour connaître leurs caractéristiques radiométriques et leurs effets sur le cycle phénologique et sur la production d'un cépage, « Matilde », à raisin de table précoce. Les deux films ont la même transmittance aux infrarouges longs, mais le type LDPE + EVA transmet mieux la radiation solaire visible, le PAR et les rayons infrarouges courts, surtout en ce qui concerne le composant « direct » de la radiation. Par rapport au secteur du vignoble sans couverture, la somme des températures au-dessus de 10°C a été constamment supérieure jusqu'à la fin du mois d'août. Le bourgeonnement fut avancé de 12 et 20 jours et la maturité commerciale (14 °Brix) de 8 et 22 jours par LDPE + HDPE et par LDPE + EVA respectivement. Le rendement fut augmenté par LDPE + EVA mais ne fut pas modifié de façon significative ; la masse de la baie et de la grappe fut plus élevée dans le secteur couvert avec le film plus transparent par rapport à celui à base de LDPE + HDPE et surtout à l'air libre. Le bois de taille en fin de saison était supérieure de 63 et 43 % (respectivement pour LDPE + EVA et LDPE + HDPE) par rapport au plein champ.

Effect of Different Plastic Sheet Coverings and Pruning Time on Yield and Yield Components of Table Grape "cv. Superior"

“…Also Phadung et al (2005) who worked on 'Perlette' grape, results showed that plastic mulching (on soil) increased yield. The results were in disagreement with Novello et al (2000) who showed that yield per vine increased under low density polyethylene + ethylvinyl acetate (LDPE+EVA). Furthermore, Rodriguez-Lovelle et al (2000) showed that grape yields were lower with grass cover.…”

“…It can be concluded from the above data that, all treatments increased significantly cluster weight during the two seasons compared with control treatment which gave the lowest value but in the second season the treatments (P1WSCS) and (P1YSCS) were similar to control treatment. This finding might gain support from the work previously done by Novello et al (2000), Shrestha et al (2000) and Phadung et al (2005) who showed that plastic mulching increased fruit weight more than no mulching but fruit cluster weight was not affected by mulching treatments.…”

Impacts of using polyethylene sleeves and wavelength selective mulch in vineyards. II. Effects on growth, leaf gas exchange, yield components and fruit quality of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot

“…For no-sleeve and sleeve treatment means, respectively, n = 16 and 48 at Vin 1 and Paradise, and n = 12 and 36 at Dark Horse. Polyethylene enclosures constructed around large blocks of vines have been used successfully to trap solar energy and induce early budbreak, veraison and maturation of table grapes (Novello et al 1999(Novello et al , 2000. Wavelength-selective polyethylene mulch applied in the planted row, and clear polyethylene enclosures (sleeves) constructed around vine cordons or canes are also effective in trapping solar energy to increase soil and canopy microclimate temperatures (Bowen et al 2004).…”

Late-season Plastic Canopy Covers Affect Canopy Microclimate and Fruit Quality of ‘Autumn King’ and ‘Redglobe’ Table Grapes

“…1). The radiometric properties of plastic covers can affect canopy microclimate (Novello et al, 2000), but there is a lack of knowledge on the effects that covers used in California may have on canopy microclimate, yield, and fruit quality. Other grape-growing countries, particularly Italy, also use plastic covers, but the timing and method of deployment, and materials used are quite different (Novello and de Palma, 2008).…”

“…Other grape-growing countries, particularly Italy, also use plastic covers, but the timing and method of deployment, and materials used are quite different (Novello and de Palma, 2008). In Italy and some other countries, plastic sheets may be used as a form of protected cultivation, in which the plastic forms a roof and walls around the vineyard (Novello and de Palma, 2008;Novello et al, 2000). Such systems may be installed in winter and kept in place until bloom to promote early ripening (Novello et al, 1999(Novello et al, , 2000.…”