Effects of the leaf /fruit ratio during a year N on the bud fertility in the year N+2: results for Pinot noir and Gewurztraminer grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) in the greenhouse

Abstract

Plants of Pinot noir and Gewurztraminer were monitored in 2002 after defoliation (R-)/ grape removal (R+) treatments at the veraison stage in 2000. Growth capacities between the treatments were equivalent in 2002. The number of inflorescences per shoot was reduced for the R- treatment only for the Pinot noir. Whereas the number of berries per cluster was reduced in the R- treatment for both varieties, a compensation occured on the number of seeds per berry and on the mean weight per berry for the Gewurztraminer. The final weight of berries per plant was reduced in the R- treatment only for the Pinot noir. The reactions of the two varieties in 2001 and 2002 after 2000 treatments are discussed.