Effect of light intensity during cane development on subsequent bud break and yield of ‘Palomino’ grape vines

Abstract

Potential fruiting canes of ‘Palomino’ grape vines (Vitis vinijera L.) were grown in full sunlight or under hessian shades (light intensity, 26% of full sunlight). Axillary bud length was reduced by shade applied for the whole season (December to May). Shading also reduced percentage of buds that burst the following spring, number of fruitful shoots that developed from these buds, and final yield. Bud break on canes shaded for the latter half of the growing season (February to May) was similar to that on canes shaded from December to May. Bud break on canes shaded during inflorescence initiation, and then grown under full light, was similar to that of canes grown in light all year, suggesting that light intensity during the latter half of the growing season can influence bud break the following year.