The effects of leaf removal practices at different periods on oenological maturity of cv. Gamay

In this study, 20 years old Gamay cv. grapevines which grafted on the Kober 5BB rootstock were used in the Tekirdağ Viticulture Research Institute. Main aim of the research is to delay sugar accumulation without any loss of aroma and phenolic compounds by different leaf removal application in different times between verasion and harvest. For this purpose leaf removal applications were made in three different times as; a week after verasion (13-15°Brix), two weeks after verasion (15-17°Brix) and pre-maturity (17-19°Brix). Also three leaf removal application types were made as; control (1,5 m main shoot lenght and 3-4 lateral leafs). DTR (top of the shoot were removed after 8th node with leafs) and WIN (removal of the leafs between 7th and 13th nodes). As a result; when the physiological activities and climatic conditions were considered, the WIN application and 15-17°Brix period had a positive effect on the components forming the quality by slowing down the sugar accumulation rate.