Complex assessment of prospects for cultivation of ultra-early and very early ripening table grape varieties in the Crimea

All-Russian National Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking Magarach of the RAS, 31 Kirovа Str., 298600 Yalta, Republic of Crimea, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: vovhim@mail.ru

Abstract

The results of comparative analysis of phenology, agrobiology, growth vigor, yield and quality characteristics, and uvological indicators of ultra-early and very early ripening table grape varieties are presented. Environmental distance of Crimean agro-climatic conditions and the genetic potential of varieties make it possible to increase the productivity of Crimean vineyards, as well as to cultivate the varieties of ultra-early and very early ripening. The purpose of the work is a comparative description of agro-biological and economic characteristics of table grape varieties in different cultivation areas, and an assessment of their prospects for the Crimea. Based on the methodology developed at the Magarach Institute, the uvological and agrobiological indicators of the studied varieties were studied. Shipping quality of the studied table grape varieties in two zones of cultivation is assessed on the basis of field-proven methodology. Better shipped grape varieties with a high transportability coefficient (T1 - from 80% to 100%) were identified depending on the ripening period. Index values of potential prospects (IPP) for the studied varieties were calculated, being in the range from 0.58 to 0.84. The results obtained are a basis to be used in establishing new plantings and providing a continuous-production line with new table grape varieties of all ripening periods with a high IPP.