Effect of planting density on growth, yield and wine quality of Cabernet Sauvignon

Abstract: The present study was conducted at ICAR- National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune, for three years (2018-19 to 2020-21). The experiment was laid out using a Randomized Block Design, with three treatments replicated seven times. Three planting spacing were evaluated as 8 x 2 feet, 8 x 3 feet and 8 x 4 feet. The findings of the study revealed that yield and quality are affected by planting distance/ density. Higher pruning weight (0.760 kg/plant), early sprouting (11.33 days after pruning), number of bunches/vine (42.47), number of berries/bunch (106.19), higher yield (3.60 kg/vine), berry quality parameters i.e. TSS (23.49 ^oBrix), potassium content (948.83 ppm), carbohydrate (29.17%) and wine quality parameters like- better sweetness and higher acidity were observed in 8 x 4 feet planting distance. Shoot length (78.84 cm), average bunch weight (92.36 g), 100-berry weight (101.10 g), phenol content (0.90 mg/L), and wine quality parameters like- aromatic intensity and tannin content were higher in 8 x 3 feet planting distance. The spacing 8 x 2 feet was better for shoot diameter (5.77 mm), yield (19.06 t/ha), berry quality parameters like- acidity (6.32 g/L), juice pH (3.68), volatile acids (0.13 g/L), total acid content in wine (5.14 g/L) and wine organoleptic taste like- colour, body, alcohol, length and overall acceptability.