Effects of different canopy management techniques apllied at varied periods on grape qualitycharacteristics of Cv. Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.)

This research was carried out in the vineyards of Umurbey Winery, which were located in Yazır neighborhood of Tekirdag city (40°55' 38.05'' N; 27°25' 22.85'' E, 200 m. a.s.l.) during the 2013 growing season. In the experiment, it was utilized from cv. Merlot's grapevines grafted onto 5BB rootstock. In the study, cluster thinning, leaf removal and vegetative growth inhibiting pro-calcium from canopy management techniques were applied at different phenological stages of grapevine (28 day before bloom and 28 day after bloom). As result of research, it was observed that applications had various effects on characteristics of berry, cluster and biochemical of cv. Merlot. In terms of total soluble solids content, total phenolic compounds content, total anthocyanin content and total tannin content, which are especially important quality characteristics for wine grapes, it was determined that the best results were obtained from applications of leaf removal at pre-bloom period and cluster thinning at post-bloom.