BUD FERTILITY OF NEW TABLE GRAPE CULTIVARS AND BREEDING SELECTIONS IN THE SÃO FRANCISCO VALLEY

Abstract

<div><p>ABSTRACT Knowledge of bud fertility is an important aid in selection of new cultivars of table grapes with high yield potential. The aim of this study was to determine the sprouting percentage and fertility index of buds of 11 cultivars and table grape breeding selections over five production cycles. The study was carried out at the Bebedouro Experimental Field of Embrapa Semiárido in Petrolina-PE, Brazil, in the period 2013-2015 considering 14 table grape genotypes and 5 production cycles as sources of variation. A randomized block experimental design was used, evaluating sprouting percentage and the mean bud fertility index. A significant effect of the genotype on sprouting was observed only in the first and second production cycles; however, bud fertility exhibited significant interaction between the genotype and the production cycle, and the highest mean values of bud fertility were obtained in the fifth cycle in the 2nd semester of 2015. The cultivars ‘A Dona’, ‘A1105’, ‘BRS Clara’, and Marroo Seedless’ stood out through high bud fertility (mean values from 0.78 to 0.95 bunches/shoot) in all the cycles evaluated, with higher values in the terminal buds of the cane (8th and 9th buds). These results show the yield potential of these new cultivars in the São Francisco Valley region.</p></div