Grape (Vitis vinifera)
- Family: Vitaceae
- Origin: Black Sea to Caspian Sea region
- Fruit Type: Multiseeded berry
- Aroma Compound: Methyl anthranilate (muscat flavour)
- Acid: Tartaric acid (commercially extracted)
Important Facts
- Planting Time: October (ideal)
- Fe deficiency: Common in black soil
- Mg deficiency: Universal
- Pink Berry Formation: Common in Thompson Seedless (due to >20°C diurnal variation)
- Berry Drop: Due to defective pollination/fertilization
- Shot Berries in Perlette: Due to Boron deficiency + poor pollination
- Ripening Season Rain: Causes berry cracking and rotting
Pruning Practices
Region | Time | Type of Pruning |
North India | Dec–Jan (Winter) | Once |
South India | April | Back/Foundation Pruning |
October | Forward/Fruit Pruning |
- Pruning Intensity:
- Low (3–4 buds): Bangalore Blue, Bhokri
- High (10–14 buds): Thompson Seedless
Training System & Spacing
- Bower System: Common in India. Thompson Seedless: 1.8 × 2.5 m² spacing
- Y Trellis System: Spacing: 1.8 × 3.0 m²
- Highest bunch & berry weight under bower system
Growth Regulators in Grapes
Regulator | Function |
CCC (Cycocel) | Suppresses vine vigour, increases bud fruitfulness |
GA₃ | Increases berry size |
HCN | Hastens bud break (winter pruning) |
NAA (50 ppm) | Reduces post-harvest fruit drop |
MH | Induces male sterility |
Productivity & Economics
- Average Productivity (India): 16.95 t/ha (Highest in world)
- Cost-Benefit Ratio: Highest in Bower System
Important Products & Processing
- Raisin: Dried seedless grape
- Max. moisture: 17%
- Process: Dip in Soda oil (Ethyl oleate + K₂CO₃), then shade dry
- Common Cultivars: Pusa Seedless, Thompson Seedless, Sultana
Varieties of Grape
- Coloured Seeded; Bangalore Blue (BB). Gulabi (Muscat). Kishmish Chorni
- Coloured Seedless; Beauty Seedless. Sharad Seedless
- White Seeded; Anab-e-Shahi. Dilkhush
- White Seedless; Perlette. Tas-A-Ganesh. Sonnaka.
Popular Hybrids & Parents
Hybrid | Parentage | Use |
Pusa Seedless | Thompson Seedless | Raisins |
Tas-A-Ganesh | Arka Neelmani × TS | Red Wine |
Manik Chaman | Arka Krishna × Queen of Vineyard | Juice |
Sonnaka | Arka Hans × BB | White Wine |
Arka Trishna | BB × Convent Large Black | Wine |
Arka Shweta | Anab-e-Shahi × TS | Table |
Arka Majestic | Anab-e-Shahi × Black Champa | Table |
Arka Chitrah | Angoor Kalan × A-e-S | Table |
Pusa Navrang | Madeline Angavine × Ruby Red | Tenturier grape |
- Queen of Vineyard: Used as male parent to transmit seedlessness
- Kishmish Beli: Outstanding raisin cultivar
- Arka Kanchan: Late maturing
Pruning Type by Variety
Cane Pruned Varieties | Spur Pruned Varieties |
Gulabi, Pusa Seedless, TS | BB, BS, Bhokri, Perlette, Delight |
Other Important Terms
- Calyptra: Cap-like structure (union of sepals & petals)
- Stem Girdling: Removal of 5 mm ring at full bloom stage
- Delight & Perlette: Bred by H.P. Olmo
