Effects of Two- and Three-Bud Spur Pruning on Grapevine Shoot Growth and Cluster Number in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye
Yusuf NİKPEYMA *
Horticultural Department, Agricultural Faculty, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Winter spur pruning affects the number and position of buds capable of producing shoots and inflorescences, but vine responses may vary among cultivars and seasons. Two-bud and three-bud short-spur pruning were compared in seven grapevine cultivars (Sergi Karası, Yalova İncisi, Victoria, Prima, Hatun Parmağı, Razakı, and Horoz Karası) grown in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, during 2014–2017. Four characteristics were summarised: shoots per vine, shoot length, shoot diameter, and clusters per vine. Mean shoot and cluster counts were 36.33 and 35.90 per vine under three-bud pruning, compared with 32.38 and 30.19 under two-bud pruning. Mean shoot length was 114.72 versus 111.82 cm, and shoot diameter was 8.95 versus 8.93 mm, respectively. Shoot length and diameter were lower in 2016–2017 than in 2014–2015. The comparison is descriptive because the numbers of independently sampled vines, possible repeated observations of the same vines, and the complete statistical model are not documented; shoot-number marginal averages also differ across factor summaries. The results describe variation in shoot development and cluster counts under the study conditions but do not establish greater harvested yield, improved fruit composition, or a cultivar-specific optimal pruning length.
Keywords: Bud load, cluster number, grapevine, short pruning, shoot growth, spur pruning, Vitis vinifera