EFFECTS OF ETHEPHON ON SOME MATURITY INDICES IN ‘TUCUPITA’ GRAPES

The effects of ethephon sprays on several maturity indices of fruit on secondary inflorescences of ‘Tucupita’ grapes were evaluated.
Concentrations of 0 to 1500 ppm were applied to leaves and racemes at about 80% veraison.

Ethephon increased fruit color as well as advancing and concentrating harvest, response increasing with dosage.
Soluble solids, total acidity and pH of the wine was not affected.

Following storage at approximately 5°C for 40 days, a slight withering of the rachis was evident, and increased with ethephon concentration.
However, none of the treatments induced shattering, softening or loss of flavor of the berries.

Best results were obtained with concentrations of 1000 to 1500 ppm.
Nevertheless, concentrations higher than 1000 ppm are not recommended until their effects on leaf abscission and berry softening have been evaluated.

II International Workshop on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics

G. Vargas, J.C. Colmenares, M.S. González

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1987.199.35