Effect of Mineral or Chelated Calcium and Magnesium on Growth and Bunch and Berry Characteristics of Flame Seedless Grapevines Grown in Sandy Soils 1- Effect on Growth and Chemical Composition of Leaves and Canes

Abstract

This experiment was carried out during 1997 and 1998 seasons on Flame seedless grapevines grown in a sandy soil to throw some light on the effect of spraying mineral or chelated compounds of Ca and Mg on growth and chemical composition of leaves and canes. Nine treatments i.e control, calcium chloride at 0.5 and 1.0 %; Ca-EDTA at 0.15 and 0.30%, magnesium sulphate at 0.5 and 1% and Mg-EDTA at 0.15 and 0.3 % were involved. The vines received three sprays of Ca and Mg (i.e March 15 -th ; May 1 -st and June15 th )Results showed that foliar application of chelated compounds at 0.15 to 0.30% as well as mineral compounds at 0.5 to 1.0 % from Ca and Mg was favourable in improving all growth parameters, leaf pigment content, leaf content of Ca and Mg and cane content of total carbohydrates compared to unsparing. Chelated form of each macronutrients was surpassed the mineral one in enhancing most of the studied characteristics. Shoot length, internode length, leaf area, cane thickness, chlorophyll A and B and cane total carbohydrate contents were positively affected by the application of Mg-EDTA at 0.30%. Application of Ca-EDTA at 0.3% had a promising effect on number of leaves per shoot and weight of pruning wood.The best results with regard to growth and nutritional status of Flame Seedless vines were obtained by spraying 0.3% Mg-EDTA or 0.3% Ca-EDTA three times during the growing season .

Role of Pre-harvest Sorbitol-Calcium Treatments in Controlling Berry Drop in Bagged Table Grapes of the "Doña María" Variety

“…Calcium dissolved in the xylem fluid arrives initially to adult leaves, moved by transpiration stream and thereafter, poor translocation occurs from leaves to young growing leaves or fruits [27,28]. Calcium content in berries depends on the calcium fertilizer applied and on the berry development stage at time of treatment [19,29].…”