Grape quality and ornamental potential of interspecific cultivars for temperate climate vineyards

ABSTRACT

Interspecific grapevine cultivars are the crossing product of two or more Vitis species. Due to the lack of information regarding the technological potential and quality characteristics of interspecific cultivars created in the last decades, the aim of this work was to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics and physio-morphological particularities of grapes and leaves of three interspecific cultivars (‘Purpuriu’, ‘Radames’ and ‘Moldova’), highly demanded for planting in the temperate climate area, having the hybrid cultivar ‘Villard blanc’ as common genitor. Cultivars reached grape maturity in mid to late September, forming red to dark red-seeded grapes. Ripe grapes showed a balanced sugar/acid ratio, a high content of nitrogenous compounds and good antioxidant activity due to rich polyphenolic content. Ripe berries showed high resistance to mechanical deformations, proving an increased resistance to postharvest handling. Moreover, leaf shape and size and their pigment composition indicated a high ornamental potential of the studied cultivars. These research findings contribute to a better understanding of the economic, nutritional and ornamental potential of valuable grapevine hybrids and hence their value for further breeding programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Grapevine hybrids
• nutritional value
• ornamental potential
• quality features
• temperate climate

Acknowledgments

This study was cofinanced by the ‘Ion Ionescude la Brad’ University of Agricultural Sciences and VeterinaryMedicine, Iasi, Romania and Research Development Station forViticulture and Winemaking, Iasi, Romania.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the ‘Ion Ionescude la Brad’ University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, Romania and Research Development Station for Viticulture and Winemaking, Iasi, Romania.