Agronomic evaluation of ‘Riesling Itálico’, ‘Chardonnay’, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Cabernet Franc’ grapevine clones

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate clones of ‘Riesling Itálico’, ‘Chardonnay’, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Cabernet Franc’ grapevines that best adapt to the edaphoclimatic conditions in Veranópolis, RS. The experiment was carried out at the State Center for Diagnosis and Research in Fruticulture - DDPA/SEAPDR. Three 'Riesling Itálico' clones (ISV-1, RI12V23, VCR-365), four 'Chardonnay' clones (INRA-95, INRA-132, INRA-548, VCR-6), four 'Merlot' clones (INRA-181, INRA-347, VCR-13, VCR-494) and seven 'Cabernet Franc' clones (INRA-212, INRA-214, ISV-8, ISV-101, VCR-2, VCR- 4, VCR-10) were evaluated. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with 4 replications and 10 plants per plot. The clones were evaluated in the 2020/2021 cycle for phenology (budburst and maturation dates), production (kg/plant, ton/ha weight/bunch) and fruit quality (soluble solids-SS, titratable acidity-AT, pH). The results showed the potentiality of the clone RI12V23 for 'Riesling Itálico', INRA-132 for 'Chardonnay', VCR-13 for 'Merlot' and VCR-10 for 'Cabernet Franc'. The 'Riesling Itálico' and 'Chardonnay' clones showed greater production precocity than the 'Merlot' and 'Cabernet Franc' clones.

Keywords

• Phenology
• Plant production
• Fruit quality
• Viticulture