Effects of Early-Season Leaf Removal on Shoot Development and the Physiology and Viability of Winter Buds in the Karaerik (Vitis vinifera L.) Grape Cultivar
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of leaf removal applied at different phenological stages on phenological development, shoot characteristics, and the physiological status of winter buds in the Karaerik grape cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.). The experiment was conducted over three consecutive growing seasons (2019–2021). Leaf removal was applied at the pre-flowering (PF), full flowering (FF), and fruit set (FS) stages, while untreated vines served as the control. Based on three-year mean observations, leaf removal treatments tended to be associated with earlier phenological development compared with the control vines. Veraison occurred between July 28 and August 1 in the PF and FF treatments, whereas it was delayed until August 5–8 in the control vines. The budburst ratio was not significantly affected by the treatments and ranged from 89.25% to 90.74%. In contrast, the total number of inflorescences increased under leaf removal, reaching 27.44, 27.33, and 27.22 in the PF, FF, and FS treatments, respectively, compared to 26.22 in the control. Winter bud soluble carbohydrate content was significantly enhanced by leaf removal, with the highest concentration observed in the PF treatment (10.10 mg g-1), whereas the control vines exhibited markedly lower levels (4.87 mg g-1). Primary bud necrosis ranged from 3.00% to 4.11% in treated vines but increased to 9.11% in the control. The lowest cold injury rate was recorded in the FS treatment (4.67%), which also produced the highest bud fresh (3.05 g) and dry weights (2.10 g). Overall, leaf removal, particularly when applied at the pre-flowering and fruit set stages, was shown to be an effective cultural practice for advancing phenological development and improving the physiological quality and cold tolerance of winter buds in the Karaerik grape cultivar.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Project Number
Ethical Statement
Thanks
References
- Anić, M., Osrečak, M., Andabaka, Ž., Tomaz, I., Večenaj, Ž., Jelić, D., … Karoglan, M. (2021). The effect of leaf removal on canopy microclimate, vine performance and grape phenolic composition of Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) grapes in the continental part of Croatia. Scientia Horticulturae, 285, 110161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110161
- Anonymous. (2011). Overview of vineyard canopy management. https://ipm.missouri.edu/cropPest/2011/5/ Overview-of-Vineyard-Canopy-Management/ (Erişim tarihi: 10.09.2025).
- Bravdo, B., Hepner, Y., Loinger, C., Cohen, S., & Tabacman, H. (1984). Effect of crop level on growth, yield and wine quality of a high yielding Carignane vineyard. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 35(4), 247–252. https://doi.org/10.5344/ajev.1984.35.4.247
- Candar, S. (2018). Effects of different canopy microclimates on physiological activities and quality in Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevines (Doctoral Dissertation). Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Türkiye.
- Cataldo, E., Salvi, L., Paoli, F., Fucile, M., & Mattii, G. B. (2021). Effects of defoliation at fruit set on vine physiology and berry composition in Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. Plants, 10(6), 1183. https://doi.org/10.3390/ plants10061183
- Chalfant, P., & Dami, I. (2021). Early defoliation impact on fruit set, yield, fruit quality, and cold hardiness in ‘Chambourcin’ grapevines. Scientia Horticulturae, 290, 110505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110505
- Cincotta, F., Verzera, A., Prestia, O., Tripodi, G., Lechhab, W., Sparacio, A., & Condurso, C. (2022). Influence of leaf removal on grape, wine and aroma compounds of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Merlot under Mediterranean climate. European Food Research and Technology, 248(2), 403–413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-021-03885-w
- Dami, I., Ferree, D. C., Kurtural, S. K., & Taylor, B. H. (2005). Influence of crop load on ‘Chambourcin’ yield, fruit quality, and winter hardiness under Midwestern United States environmental conditions. Acta Horticulturae, 689, 203–208.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Oenology and Viticulture
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Tevhit Geçim
*
0000-0003-2406-9929
Türkiye
Özkan Kaya
0000-0002-1679-6125
Türkiye
Birol Karadoğan
0000-0002-1526-1751
Türkiye
Serkan Candar
0000-0002-2608-8691
Türkiye
İsmail Esmek
0009-0002-3883-0862
Türkiye
Early Pub Date
September 20, 2026
Publication Date
-
Submission Date
December 30, 2025
Acceptance Date
March 26, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication
