Cluster Modification Effects on the Performance of an Arkansas Table Grape Selection
Flower cluster thinning effects were investigated on A-2274, a large-fruited, seedless table grape selection from the Univ. of Arkansas Grape Breeding Program. The objective of the study was to evaluate flower cluster thinning as a method to enhance cluster size and fill. Treatments included thinning to one flower cluster per shoot, removing one-half of each cluster, and a control (no flowers removed). Each treatment consisted of three, single-vine replications, with each vine being pruned to 32 buds. Removal of entire flower clusters (to one per shoot) resulted in larger clusters and a trend toward higher cluster fill ratings. Berry mass, number of clusters per vine, and yield per vine were unaffected by flower cluster treatment. Berries per cluster were reduced by the partial flower cluster removal treatment. Flower cluster thinning to one cluster proved a beneficial practice in increasing cluster characteristics of this promising selection.