Effects of shading and covering on ‘sultana seedless’ grape quality and storability

This study aimed to determine the effects of different shading ratio and covers on“Sultana Seedless” table grape quality and storability. Grapevines were covered at theveraison stage with 3 shading nets (0, 35, and 75% shading), which were then replacedwith covering materials including Polypropylene Cross-stitch (PC), Life Pack (LP) andMogul (MG), just before harvest. Harvested grapes in all treatments were then kept for90 days under cold storage (-05°C). Postharvest decay development and decreases insensory quality were observed in unshaded grapes and in those covered with 35% shadingnet and later covered with life pack. Total soluble solids content, maturity index, andcolor value (C* and h°either decreased or vanishedduring storage. All tested cover materials following shading nets could delay harvest for50 days. Consequently, in addition to delaying harvest time, PC or MG covers used after35 % shading allowed higher quality and successful storage of grapes for an additional 90 days. © 2016, Tarbiat Modares University. All rights reserved