Assessment of quality characteristics of new Vitis vinifera L. cultivars for temperate climate vineyards

Abstract

Since quality requirements for table grapes are mainly related to their physico-chemical and mechanical features, the aim of this work was to provide useful data for grape producers and consumers concerning the quality characteristics of table grapes of five new Vitis vinifera L. cultivars created in Romania and tending to spread within the temperate climate vineyards. During grape maturation, sugar content increased in a lesser extent than the reducing of total acidity, a balanced taste of grapes was given by the decrease in total acidity rather than sugar accumulation. Grapes of analysed cultivars showed lower concentrations of ascorbic acid and a higher content of organic nitrogenous compound. Berries with higher weight and volume (Transilvania cv.) incurred a higher mechanical deformation, while long berries (Gelu cv.) showed higher resistance to detachment from the pedicel, indicating higher resistance of grapes to packing, transport and storage. Antioxidant activity of mature grapes was high, but involvement of nonflavonoids in increasing the antioxidant capacity was statistically non-significant. Seeded table grapes of new Vitis vinifera L. cultivars showed superior physico-chemical and mechanical characteristics, indicating their high quality in the conditions of temperate continental climate, and promoting the studied cultivars as important grapevine germplasm resources.

Keywords

• grape quality
• phenolic compounds
• temperate climate
• new genotypes
• vine germplasm