THIS STUDY was carried out during 2014 and 2015 seasons on flame seedless grapevines. The vines were treated with three nitrogen fertilizer concentration (control : 100% of recommended dose, 50 and 75% of recommended dose ), combined with foliar application of potassium 2cm/L, as well as foliar ethrel at 250 ppm at veraison stage. Removals of basal leaves on the fruiting canes were also done. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of these treatments on growth, productivity and berry quality of flame seedless grapevines. Results revealed that, the maximum values of leaf area and shoot length were found on the vines that were treated as the control. Significant high yield and cluster number were found after combined treatment with N (75 % of recommended rate) + foliar Ethrel at 250 ppm and basal leaves remove on the cluster at veraison stage in the first season and N (75% of recommended rate) + foliar potassium at 2 ml/L at veraison stage in the second season. While, average cluster weight and berry quality were found after combined treatment with Nitrogen at 75% + K at 2cm/L + ethrel at 250 ppm along with basal leaves remove application-as compared to all treatment, This was the best treatment in improving color and quality of -flame seedless berries.Keywords: Flame seedless grapevine, Nitrogen, Potassium, Etherl quality, Yield.
IntroductionGrape is one of the most popular and favorite fruits in Egypt. Grapes rank the second after citrus concerning the acreage and consumption rates. The acreage of cultivated grapevine area in Egypt exhibited a remarkable increase in the last decade reached192934 fed. Which produce 1596169 tons (according to the latest statistics of the ministry of agriculture (2014). The flavor of Flame Seedless fruits is distinctively delicate and sweet, so it is one of the most favorable varieties cultivars in the Egypt. Berry skin colour is an important quality parameter in table grape. Grapes, grown in warm climate regions do not develop a desirable red colour. The colour development in berries is affected by high temperatures above 30 •C which inhibit anthocyanin production and accumulation. Weak berry color development in red varieties, such as Red Globe, Flame Seedless, and Crimson Seedless, leads to poor quality and, serious economic loss.Nitrogen (N) is a macro nutrient needed in great amounts to achieve maximum crop yield. N is an essential constituent of metabolically active compounds such as proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids and chlorophyll. N plays a major role in cell division and improves photosynthesis process which results in higher accumulation of organic matter in plant tissues. When N is a limiting factor, the rate and extent of protein synthesis is decreased. As a result, the plant growth is affected. Moreover, the plant becomes stunted and develops leaf chlorosis (Vicente et al., 2014). Inadequate N supply is often the growth-limiting factor in the field. Consequently, addition of N usually improves plant growth and yield. The quality of grape berries is st...