Foliar application of chelated sugar alcohol calcium fertilizer for regulating the growth and quality of wine grapes

Abstract

The eastern foothills of Helan Mountain are a production area of high-quality wine grapes, but the low content of water-soluble calcium in the alkaline soil in this area has become an important limiting factor for the production of high-end wines. In this study, 7-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown at Lilan Winery, which is located at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in Ningxia, China, were used to examine the effect of exogenous calcium supplementation on fruit growth and berry quality. Calcium sugar alcohol was applied as a foliar spray at 1.2 L/hm 2 (T1), 2.4 L/hm 2 (T2), 3.6 L/hm 2 (T3), 4.8 L/hm 2 (T4), and 6.0 L/hm 2 (T5) concentrations at the fruit expansion stage, the early stage of grape veraison, the middle stage of grape veraison, and the later stage of grape veraison. Water control was used for comparison. The results showed that foliar calcium supplementation can significantly enhance the photosynthetic characteristics of wine grape leaves, increase the chlorophyll content of leaves, and improve the quality of grape berries. Under the T3 (3.6 L/hm 2 ) concentration of exogenous calcium, the transverse diameter, the longitudinal diameter, and fruit shape index of grapes were the highest, which were increased by 1.71%, 5.33%, and 3.92% compared to the control, respectively. The application of high calcium concentrations (T4 and T5) inhibited the physiological development of grapes. The spike length, hundred-grain weight, yield of wine grapes, sugar-acid ratio, tannin, and total phenols were the highest in the T2 (2.4 L/hm 2 ) treatment. The results of principal component analysis based on multiple indicators showed that foliar application of 2.4-3.6 L/hm 2 chelated sugar alcohol calcium on the leaf surfaces of grape leaves was the most suitable for improving the physiological characteristics and berry quality of wine grapes.

Multivariate Analysis and Optimization of the Relationship between Soil Nutrients and Berry Quality of Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Franc Vineyards in the Eastern Foothills of the Helan Mountains, China

“…These findings are consistent with those reported by Wang et al [29] and Qi et al [5]. In addition, the vineyard soil is alkaline, which is also one of the common characteristics of the local soil [30][31][32][33]. Considering the adaptation of grape plants to a wide range of pH levels and the results of this study, it is recommended that local vineyard soil pH be reasonably intervened.…”

Can the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Be Used for Yield Prediction in Solanum tuberosum L. Plants Biofortified with Calcium?

“…Additionally, despite the 24 kg/ha CaCl 2 treatment having presented the lowest average NDVI value (Table 1), these plants did not show the lowest yield (Table 2). In this context, considering that different studies carried out with Ca using different food matrices-namely grapes [14], peanuts [15], pomegranates [16], apples [17], or pears [18]-showed a yield increase with multiple foliar applications, our results align with those previous studies when considering the 12 kg/ha CaCl 2 treatment (Figure 2). A such, this suggests that, despite not displaying a higher NDVI value or even a significant increase in Ca in the tubers, CaCl 2 applied at a 12 kg/ha concentration showed a positive effect in promoting yield enhancement in tubers of Solanum tuberosum L. (Agria variety).…”

Effect of sorbitol and boron on the growth and seed quality of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

“…It must not be overlooked that the unique composition of sorbitol, characterized by small molecules, may have improved the absorption of nutrients through the open stomata and foliar pores. In the production stage, sugar alcohols delivered nutrients to flowers, and grains, which improved the quality and productivity of the faba bean crop (Ma et al, 2022). The findings are in accordance with those of AL-Taee, et al, (2022).…”

“…Sugar alcohol is a carbohydrate and one of the distinctive products of the photosynthesis process as they move freely in the plant and help the sugar alcohol to obtain strong and abundant growth and work on the development and growth of the plant (Jain et al, 2010). Sugar alcohol is not just a fertilizer that contains small elements and normal formulations or chelates, but it is a new system for delivering microelements to the places where they are manufactured in the plant (Ma et al, 2022). Sorbitol, a six-carbon sugar alcohol, less commonly known as glucitol (C6H14O6) is a sugar alcohol with a sweet taste.…”