Zone d'abscission et coulure de la vigne

Abstract

Abscission zone and berry drop in grapevine Berry drop (coulure) in grapevine has various causes, but is generally observed in the days following anthesis and the separation occurs at the base of the flower pedicel. At this part of the pedicel a structured zone composed of little cells is observed where active abscission takes place. The abscission zone is activated by ethylene. This response does not only depend on the concentration of ethylene but also on the developmental stage of the target cells, which are highly reactive only during a few days. The presence of such an abscission zone in grapevine led us to consider new research to manage fruit set and thinning.