Canopy and Root Management in Soilless Culture Grape Cultivation

Soilless culture is a growing model in which nutrition and water status are monitored and adjusted to meet crop-specific demands to avoid soil-borne pathogens and soil-induced abiotic stresses. In this study, effect of the different growth mediums ((cocopeat (C), pumice (Pu) , peat (P) , Pu:C, (2:1. v/v), Pu:P, (2:1, v/v)), number of canes (single cane and double cane) and root pruning (with root pruning and no root pruning) practices on phenology, yield, quality, plant nutrition and biochemical and mineral element composition of grape berries was examined under greenhouse conditions in Çukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Research and Application Vineyard, between 2019-2022. Additionally, the effects of the applications on plant growth and ecophysiological properties were also determined. Hoagland nutrient solution adapted to grapevine was used in the research. The nutrient solution was given together with water by automation and drip irrigation. Irrigation and fertilization were carried out by adjusting the frequency and duration according to solar radiation and phenological development periods. The same irrigation and fertilization was applied to all five growing media. In order to determine the effect of the applications on nutrition, macro and micro element analyzes were performed on leaf blade and petiole samples taken during full flowering and veraison. In the first year of the study, it was determined that the cocopeat growing medium was relatively more effective on plant growth. In the second and third year studies, the highest yield and cluster weight were obtained from cocopeat and pumice medium, and 100 berry weight and berry size were obtained from pumice medium. In the fourth year, the highest yield was determined in cocopeat, 100 berry weight and size, pumice and Pu:P mediums. The highest soluble solids (SSC), acidity and maturity index values were obtained in the Pu:P medium in the second and fourth years, and the highest SSC and maturity index values were obtained in the Pu:C medium in the third year. Nutrient element concentrations in leaf blade and petiole taken during full bloom and veraison varied according to growing mediums, number of canes, root pruning practices and years. In the nutrient element analyzes performed on ripe grapes in the third and fourth years, single cane application gave higher values than double cane application, and higher nutrient element concentrations were detected in the application with root pruning in the fourth year than those without root pruning. In biochemical analyzes performed on mature grapes, the highest total phenol, total anthocyanin and antioxidant capacity were detected in the samples taken from the peat medium in the third and fourth years. As a result, it was determined that the most suitable growth medium for soilless culture grape cultivation was cocopeat and pumice, the cane application was double cane, and the difference between root pruning applications was not significant. In subsequent studies, it is deemed beneficial to primarily encourage the use of pumice medium, which is local and cheaper than others, pure or as a mixture. Keywords: Grapevine, soilless cultivation, growth medium, plant nutrition, root pruning