Abscisic Acid Application Affects Color and Acceptance of the New Hybrid ‘BRS Melodia’ Seedless Grape Grown in a Subtropical Region

Abstract

<jats:p>The application of <jats:italic>S-</jats:italic>ABA enantiomer to clusters of poor pigmentation cultivars can improve grape color. The aim of this study was to assess whether <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>-ABA applied to clusters of the new hybrid ‘BRS Melodia’ seedless grape can improve its color characteristics and to evaluate the consumer acceptance. The following treatments were evaluated: Control; <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>-ABA at 200 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> 7 days after veraison (DAV); <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>-ABA at 400 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> 7 DAV; <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>-ABA at 200 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> 7 DAV + 200 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> 21 DAV; and <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>-ABA at 400 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> 7 DAV + 400 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> 21 DAV. To apply the treatments, clusters were sprayed using a backpack sprayer until runoff. The exogenous application of <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>-ABA significantly improves the color of berries of ‘BRS Melodia’ seedless grape, particularly at a concentration of 400 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> in two applications, at 7 DAV and 21 DAV, resulting in clusters with greater consumer acceptance through visual-sensory analysis. Regardless of concentration or application timing, there was no change in the physicochemical characteristics of the berries or clusters, nor in the number of shoots per cane or clusters per shoot in the season after its application.</jats:p>

Phenology and Yield of the Hybrid Seedless Grape ‘BRS Melodia’ Grown in an Annual Double Cropping System in a Subtropical Area

“…Color is one of the most important visual characteristics in table grapes, and this attribute is commonly associated with bunch quality and is directly related to consumer acceptance, being one of the main determining factors in the commercial value of table grapes. The use of specific techniques aiming at improving 'BRS Melodia' berry color, such as exogenous application of (S)-cis-abscisic acid (S-ABA) to increase color intensity and to standardize berry color, may be successful, as described by Koyama et al [25] and others [18,[26][27][28]. In addition, the use of other techniques such as defoliation for better light exposure in the vineyard and crop load adjustment may also be applied for color improvement [10].…”

Improved Yield, Fruit Quality, and Shelf Life in ‘Flame Seedless’ Grapevine with Pre-Harvest Foliar Applications of Forchlorfenuron, Gibberellic Acid, and Abscisic Acid

“…Ethephon was applied to table grapes to enhance berry color, but its impacts are inconsistent and can lead to berry softening (Szyjewicz et al 1984;Peppi et al 2006). Abscisic acid (ABA) was found as an efficient alternative to ethephon for enhancing the color of table grapes (Koyama et al 2019;Lurie et al 2010). It is easier for application due to less restrictive period of its use, and an exemption from the requirement to have a tolerance in most countries (Ferrara et al 2015), but the high cost has prevented the development of its practical applications for viticulture (Peppi et al 2006).…”

Grafting Delays Watermel on Fruit Ripening by Altering Gene Expression of ABA Centric Phytohormone Signaling

“…ABA-deficient mutant citrus fruit caused the delayed fruit degreening process, and exogenous ABA treatment could promote fruit ripening by speeding up fruit pigment accumulation and significantly reducing the content of fruit organic acid ( Romero et al, 2012 ). Applying exogenous ABA could significantly accelerate grape fruit ripening process, such as rapid accumulation of sugar and anthocyanin ( Koyama et al, 2019 ). ABA application at the turning stage of cucumber fruit development could significantly reduce chlorophyll content in the exocarp ( Wang et al, 2013 ).…”