Unlocking the power of early leaf removal: Boosting berry flavonoids & antioxidants

This presentation is based on the findings of the journal article titled "Impact of Cluster Thinning on Wine Grape Yield and Fruit Composition: A Review and Meta-Analysis."
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2024/2504396
Here is a summary of this journal article:
Wine grape producers aim for an optimal balance between vegetative growth and fruit production (leaf-area-to-yield ratio). This article reviews the impact of cluster thinning (CT), a practice of removing grape clusters, on yield and fruit composition.

The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 160 CT-related publications, ultimately using data from 78 rigorously curated studies.

Findings:

CT Timing: The timing of CT (bloom, pea-size, lag phase, veraison) showed minimal influence on fruit composition, offering flexibility for producers.
CT Severity: The severity of CT (15–35%, 36–55%, 56–75%) significantly impacted fruit composition. The moderate range (36–55%) proved most effective in improving quality, particularly total soluble solids (TSS) and pH levels.
Implications: The study concludes that CT severity has a more pronounced effect on wine grape composition than timing. This insight is valuable for grape producers aiming to enhance grape quality for winemaking while practicing sustainable vineyard management through a targeted approach to cluster thinning.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2024/2504396