HAZARDS REPORT FOR THE BFsub3sub 3 WITHDRAWAL MECHANISM IN THE SM-1

A design and operational description is presented of a BF/sub 3/ withdrawal mechanism planned for installation on one of the two startup channels at the SM-1. An analysis of possible malfunctions is included. (J.R.D.

Occurrence of anthocyanin pigments in berries of the white cultivar Muscat Gordo Blanco (Vitis vinifera L.)

Rose coloration of skin was observed to sometimes develop late during ripening on the normally white grape berries of cv. Muscat Gordo Blanco. The nature of the pigment was investigated by HPLC analysis of skin extracts of single berries. The predominant anthocyanin was identified as cyanidin-3-glucoside with minor amounts of delphinidin- and peonidin-3-glucosides. This composition resembles the skin composition of coloured, small-seeded muscat cultivars which it also resembles by the monoterpene composition of the juice. The pigments occurred only in berries with levels of total soluble solids in excess of 24°Brix in the juice and such berries tended to have smaller fresh weight. Berry pigmentation occurred on vines with various root systems. The specific conditions under which pigment developed in Muscat Gordo berries may offer a useful tool in the study of anthocyanin biosynthesis

Is advancement of grapevine maturity explained by an increase in the rate of ripening or advancement of veraison?

Background and Aims: The major phenological events, such as harvest, are critical periods in the wine business calendar requiring much planning and organisation of resources, yet anticipation of the timing of these events is still imprecise. The aims of this study were to better understand why grape maturity (defined here as the day of the year the grapes reached 11.5 Bé) is advancing, and how different cultivars and regions are responding to the seasonal temperature conditions. Methods and Results: Trends in rate of ripening (Bé/day or Bé/°C day) and the day of year veraison (DOYV) were analysed at four Victorian vineyard regions and included 24 cultivars covering 20 years. There was a significant difference between cultivars in their rate of ripening with later ripening cultivars ripening more slowly (Bé/day). Higher yield slowed the rate of ripening (Bé/day), significantly at two vineyards. No significant temporal trends were observed for the rate of ripening nor for the interval between DOYV and day of year maturity (DOYM), as related to Vintage Year or Springtime Temperature (max), although these may become apparent with a longer series of data and resulting smaller confidence intervals. Different cultivars, however, had a significantly different rate of change for this interval over time, and higher yield was associated with a longer interval length. Day of year veraison advanced significantly as related to Springtime Temperature (max) at all vineyards, and at a significantly different rate for different cultivars at three of the four vineyards. There was a positive association between yield and DOYV. Conclusions: These results suggest that the observed advancement of grape maturity can be explained by the advancement of veraison, rather than an increase in the rate of ripening, for these cultivars in these regions. Significance of the Study: The study showed that there is existing cultivar diversity which, if better understood, could help better anticipate phenological timing, improve vineyard management and assist in adapting to climate change