Standardization of Pruning Practices for Quality in Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Variety Muscat Hamburg

A field experiment on standardization of pruning practices for different cropping patterns of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) on Muscat Hamburg and Thompson Seedless varieties was undertaken during the period from 2013–2014 at farmer's field, located at Kamayagoundanpatty, Cumbum Valley of Theni district in Tamil Nadu. Double pruning and double cropping system was adopted during winter (December) and summer season (June) in there varieties respectively. The pruning treatment three times with five vines per replication in randomized black design. Eleven treatments were imposed on ten year old uniform sized grape vine grown under a spacing of 3 x 2 m. The treatments are spur pruning 1–2 bud level in June and forward pruning in December, spur pruning 1–2 bud level in December and forward pruning in June, spur pruning 3–4 bud level in June and forward pruning in December, spur pruning 3–4 bud level in December and forward pruning in June, spur pruning 5–6 bud level in June and forward pruning in December, spur pruning 5–6 bud level in December and forward pruning in June, spur pruning 8–9 bud level in June and forward pruning in December, spur pruning 8–9 bud level in December and forward pruning in June, spur pruning 5–6 bud level in June and cane pruning in December, spur pruning 5–6 bud level in December and cane pruning in June and cane pruning both December and June. The maximum total soluble solids was recorded in T₂ (18.00°Brix) in winter pruning. In summer pruning, the maximum total soluble solids were recorded in T₁ (17.56°Brix). The lowest acidity was recorded in T₂ and T₁ (0.44 and 0.53%) during winter andsummer pruning. The maximum reducing sugar content was recorded in T₂ and T₁ (14.02 and 13.21%) in winter and summer pruning. The treatment T₁ and T₂ (1.50 and 1.53%) recorded the maximum non reducing sugar content in summer pruning.