EFFECT OF TIPPING AND TOPPING ON SHOOT UNIFORMITY: PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON SINGLE CORDON TRAINED CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND MERLOT

The study was carried out in a two year old Merlot/140 Ru and Cabernet Sauvignon/140 Ru vineyards during the 2004 growth season. Vines were spaced 2.4 m x 0.9 m in North-South orientated rows. Each vine had five to six shoots. The vineyards were drip irrigated (800 m3/Ha/season). Shoots more than 100 cm were tipped or topped at pea berry size development stage. Tipping of Merlot vines reduced shoot growth and variability of all vegetative parameters. Topping of Cabernet Sauvignon reduced variability of shoot Diameter and increased lateral shoot growth.