Use of ethephon as a DEFOLIANT in VINES and his influence in carbohydrate reserves

• Grant number: 13/04024-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: July 23, 2013
• End date: March 22, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: João Alexio Scarpare Filho
• Grantee: Thiago Vieira da Costa
• Supervisor: Matthew W. Fidelibus
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of California, Davis (UC Davis), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/06589-0 - Development and production of Niagara Rosada grapevine in climate Cwa, BP.DR

Abstract

Ethephon will be evaluated as a preharvest defoliant of Thompson Seedless grapes and level of reserves in the branches and roots, residues on grapes and raisins, effects of this plant growth regulator on grape and raisin yield and quality, be determined. The experiment will employ a randomized block design with five replications and two plants per plot, with 7 treatments tested: T1-control (not treated), T2 - treated with 750 mg.L-1 ethephon, T3 - treated with 750mg.L-1 ethephon with 0.5% urea, T4 - 1,440 mg.L-1 ethephon, T5 - 1,440 mg.L-1 ethephon with 0.5% urea; T6 - 2,160mg.L-1 ethephon, T7 - 2,160 mg.L-1 ethephon with 0.5% urea. Treatments will be performed 20 days prior the harvest. Defoliation, influence of climate on ethylene action, speed of degradation of chlorophyll, pruning efficiency, level of reserves in the branches and roots, fruit production per plant, mass of grape, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA) and determination of ethephon residue on fruit will be evaluated. Evaluations will be held at Kearney Agricultural Center in Parlier/California - USA, worldwide reference region in the vines cultivation. The results of this experiment provide, beyond the scientific contribution, great academic enrichment, being likewise also possible the implementation of farming techniques that can be employed in Brazilian production. (AU)