Seedless Table Grape Variety Trial

Carl Cantaluppi

Extension Area Horticulture Agent

Granville and Person Counties

How The Project Began In 2005, Doreathy Booth and Celine

Koropchak asked what additional high-value horticultural crop they could grow.

Seedless table grapes were suggested since they were not being grown on a commercial scale in the Piedmont.

Obtained an Innovative Program Grant from NC A&T to plant a 14 variety grape trial on her farm to compare different varieties since research on these grapes is scant.

2005 Planting Grapes were planted 10 feet between

vines in the row and 10 feet between rows. We planted 360 vines on the acre, using a randomized complete block design with 5 plants per plot and 5 replications on May 18, 2005 on a clay loam soil.

During 2005 and 2006, the vines were trained and pruned, leaving one shoot to train as a trunk, tied to a bamboo stake, until it reached the top wire, which was 5 feet from the ground.

A lower wire, at 2 1/2 feet from the ground was used for attaching the trickle irrigation tubing.

Vines were trained to the two arm Cordon System, with each arm being pruned back to 8-10 buds on weak vines and to 12-15 buds on each arm if they were vigorous.

2 Arm Cordon Pruning System

Grape Variety Descriptions A wide range of flavors and

appearances are available among the seedless table grapes. Vitis labrusca grapes have a fruity or “foxy” flavor.

Breeding programs in New York, Ontario, and Arkansas focus on improved cold-hardiness and quality.

Since North Carolina has warmer winters than the Northeastern U.S., these varieties should perform very well in our climate.

Vines will be inoculated with a benign strain of Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium which causes Pierce’s Disease of grape to cross protect them.

Mars

Mars A University of Arkansas release with a

mildly labrusca flavor, blue slipskin (having a tough skin that separates readily from the pulpy flesh).

Medium sized clusters, highest yielder Ripens from July 27-August 10

Marquis

Marquis NY release, white, large clusters Juicy, melting texture Ripe fruit holds well on vine with flavor

going from a mild fruity flavor when first ripe, to a stronger labrusca flavor two weeks later. Very vigorous vine.

Ripens from August 2-10

Venus

Venus A University of Arkansas release Vigorous, productive blue-black grape Large berries with mild labrusca flavors,

slipskin Seed traces may be noticeable Ripens July 20 - August 3 in Oxford

Jupiter

Jupiter University of Arkansas release Reddish-blue to blue when ripe Large, firm, non-slipskin berries on

medium sized clusters A distinct muscat flavor Ripens from July 20 -27 in Oxford

Lakemont

Lakemont NY release Very compact and tight clusters Small to medium sized berries Needs to be cluster thinned to prevent

overcropping Ripens in Oxford July 26 - August 3

Einset

Einset NY release Oval, bright red berries with a light waxy

bloom(powdery covering on fruit) Medium sized berries, tough skin

adheres to tender flesh Fruity sweet strawberry-like taste Ripens in Oxford July 20 - 26

Glenora

Glenora NY release Produces medium sized blue berries Loose clusters Ripens in Oxford from July 20 - 27

Canadice

Canadice NY release Produces medium sized, excessively

compact clusters with small red berries Ripens in Oxford July 26

Vanessa

Vanessa Developed by the Horticultural

Research Institute of Ontario, Canada Medium sized, well filled clusters Mild and fruity flavor, crisp berry texture Excellent fruit quality Ripens in Oxford July 20 - 27

Concord Seedless

Concord Seedless Similar in flavor and texture to Concord Clusters and berries are smaller than

concord. It is not seedless here. Productivity is erratic, due to its uneven

ripening under hot temperatures Might replace with the seeded Sunbelt

variety, which ripens evenly

Suffolk Red

Suffolk Red NY release Produces medium to large (somewhat

loose) clusters of mild-flavored red berries

Ripens in Oxford on August 10

Himrod

Himrod NY release Medium sized white grapes Loose clusters Honey-like flavor Ripens in Oxford July 20 - 27

Variety lbs./A &Harvest Date

2007 2009 2010

Mars 4329a 11954a 3818a 7/27-8/10

Marquis 4295a 4341 b 2645 b 8/2-10

Venus 1972 b 4344 b 1623 c 7/20-8/3

Jupiter 1686 b 1795 b 411 d 7/20-26

Lakemont 970 b 4256 b 545 d 7/26-8/3

Glenora 705 b 2450 b 739 cd 7/20-27

Variety lbs./A & Harvest Date

2007 2009 2010

Einset 668 b 3228 b 347 d 7/20-26

Canadice 559 b 1847 b 1579c 7/26

Vanessa 503 b 3668 b 1126cd 7/20-27

Con. Sdls. 341 b ---------- ---------- 8/10

Suff. Red 250 b 1064 b 222 d 8/10

Himrod 241 b 1536 b 486 d 7/20-27

Vineyard Establishment Costs Deer Fence and Trellis $15,000.00 Bamboo Stakes 121.00 Fiberglass Stakes 462.00 Drip Irrigation pump, pipe hookups, faucets 2,340.00 Grape Vines 2,460.00 Snap and Grow Tubes 1,462.00 Tapener Guns to attach vines to trellis 133.00 Fungicides 540.00 Round-Up for 3 years 387.00 Vegetable Wash 49.00 Protective Gear for Spraying 214.00 Grape Lugs for Harvesting 308.00 Fertilizer 234.00 Pesticide Private Applicator License 6.00 Marking Spray for vines 11.00 Grass Seed for row-middles 358.00 Diesel Fuel 200.00 Gasoline for Lawn Mower 210.00 Reflective Tape to Scare Birds 108.00 Labor (800 hours) --------- Other Irrigation Installation Help 1,000.00 Total $25,603.00

Grape Variety Source for Trial

Double A Vineyards

10277 Christy Road

Fredonia, NY 14063

716-672-8493

E-mail: vine@Rakgrape.com

Website: www.doubleavineyards.com