Effects of site, season and viticultural practices on grape seed development

Abstract

The effects of vineyard site, season, clone and viticultural management practices were examined as possible sources of variability in seed development between populations of grape berries, cvs Traminer, Riesling and Pinot Noir. Mean values for number and weight of seeds per berry were similar in most seasons and sites, but some were significantly different. In some but not all cases, smaller means for seed number per berry were associated with larger mean weight per seed. Trellising, training, pruning level, canopy manipulation and regulation of bunch number per vine had little effect on seed complement per berry except that mean weight per seed was smaller with minimal pruning. Reduction in water supply imposed after flowering did not alter seed number but reduced seed weight. Berries of boron-deficient vines had fewer and smaller seeds. The implications of seed development for berry development are discussed.