Evaluating Cropload of Traminette and Vidal Blanc to Ameliorate Yield and Fruit

The climate and the rolling topography of central Kentucky provide a competitive advantage for grape growing. However, grape growing and winc making in Kentucky has only recently bccome one of the more successful alternative cropping systems due to its profitahility and increase in local and regional demands and due to its adaptation to the rolling hills, otherwise unsuitable for row erop production. Smigell et al (2002) reported a four-I()ld incrcase in wine grape acreage in the past four years. An overwhclming majority of vineyardists are lirst time growers: thus lacking the experience and skills of vineyard management. 'Vidal blanc' and 'Traminctte' arc two of the economically important cultivars grown in Kentucky and comprising about 30% of the total acreage planted and similar pcrcentages in tonnage produced (Smigell et a1.. 2(02). There exists a lack of information on how to manage the cropload of these French-/\merican hybrids under the hot long growing season typical of central Kentucky. The current practice of the vineyardists is to utilize balanced pruning in their management practices. Howevcr. balanced pruning alone does not guarantec adequatc crop levels t()r 'Vidal 13lanc , and 'Traminette' (Kaps and Cahoon, 1989: Kurtural et a1.. 2005). These hybrids by nature have high cluster numbers per shoot and many ti-uitlul secondary shoots. which are not included in the balanced pruning formulae (Pool et a1.. 1978). Over-pruning is not a viable alternative as it leads to vigorous canopies in the following year and affects the sustainability ofthc vineyard in the years to come by reducing bud ti-uitti.Ilness (Kurtural et a1.. 2005). Cluster thinning has shown to assure thc needed crop control in Frcnch- American hybrids in other regions (Kaps and Cahoon. 1989: Kurtural et a\., :2(05). Ilowever. previous research also indicated that over-thinning will lead to yield losses (Looney. 1981). Moreover, there is lack of basic information on the canopy light relations and canopy management for 'Vidal Blanc' and 'Traminette' cultivars under Kentucky conditions. A combination of these two canopy management strategies can help us idcntify and develop a cultivation method that will lead to a sustainable and cconol111cal production systenl suitable for our unique clinultic and topographic conditions. 1) Ohjcctives: The objective of this study is to identify 1) Irocedurcs: This project will be conducted at a cooperating grower site. The \'ineyard is located in central Kentucky, cordon trained and spur-pruned on a single highwire training system with a planting density of \157 \'ines'hectare.l.