Foliar application of mixture of amino acids and seaweed (Ascophylum nodosum) extract improve growth and physico-chemical properties of grapes

Abstract

Foliar applications of mixture of amino acids and Ascophylum nodosum (Seaweed) extract at different growth stages were investigated on the growth and physico-chemical characteristics of grapes cv. ‘Perlette’. Grapevines were sprayed with 0.5 mL L aqueous solution of mixture of amino acids and seaweed extract plus 0.01% Tween-20 as surfactant at flowering stage, fruit setting stage, flowering + fruit setting stages or flowering + fruit setting + one month after fruit setting stages. Unsprayed grapevines were kept as control. Grapevines treated with multiple applications of mixture of amino acids and seaweed extract at flowering + fruit setting + one month after fruit setting stages exhibited significantly higher leaf size (41.5%), chlorophyll content (18.15 mg g), berry setting (6.66%), number of bunches per cane (6.66%), rachis length (13.5%), berry weight (14.78%), berry size (7.33%), soluble solid concentrations (SSC, 16%), SSC: titrable acidity (TA) ratio (29), pH of juice (3%), total sugars (28%) and reducing sugars (35%) with reduced berry drop (10.6%) and ascorbic acid (28.6%) contents as compared to all other treatments. Treated grapevines showed no significant change in the leaf mineral contents, bunch size and weight. In conclusion, multiple foliar applications of 0.5 mL L mixture of amino acids and seaweed extract can be used effectively to improve growth and physico-chemical berry quality of grapevine cv. ‘Perlette’. © 2012 Friends Science Publishers