Filippo Del Zozzo, Cassandra Collins, Christopher Ford, Antonin Mozzo, Lucia Giordano, Francesco Girardi, Stefano Poni
Background and Aims: Global warming is driving increased heat accumulation and longer growing seasons, making it feasible to ripen two crops in a single season, even in temperate regions where grapevines experience winter dormancy.
Methods and Results: A 2-year study on Cabernet Sauvignon in South Australia evaluated vine responses to a “double cropping” technique aimed at producing two consecutive crops (primary [P] and forced [F]) within the same season. The forced crop was achieved by breaking bud dormancy through severe trimming at the groat-size berry stage; retaining four, six or eight main leaves on the shoot (F4, F6, F8); and concurrently removing any developing laterals. These treatments were compared to an unforced control (C). Vine performance was assessed through phenology, vegetative growth, yield components, vine balance indices and grape composition at harvest. In the 2022–2023 season, the response to forcing was faster (13 days) and more active (0.69 forced shoots/total shoots) than in the 2023–2024 season (19 days and 0.47 forced shoots/total shoots, respectively). Reactivity to forcing tended to decrease at F8 compared to F4 and F6. On average, the forced leaf area (LA) constituted 59.2% of the total LA. Across all F treatments, the total yield per vine was 11.6% higher than C, with the forced crop contributing 36.1% of the total yield. Forced shoot bunches were consistently smaller and looser than those on the P shoots and harvest of the second crop occurred 56–60 days later. Forcing significantly delayed the ripening of the primary crop compared to the control, yet fruit in F treatments reached a relatively high TSS (23.7–24.1°Brix) while maintaining higher TA and lower pH, indicating a desynchronisation of sugar and acid ripening. Seasonal variation strongly influenced anthocyanin and phenolic accumulation: in 2022–23, levels were highest in F treatments, even compared to the control; in 2023–2024, they were comparatively low. Since LA/Y remained adequate, it is hypothesised that late-season microclimate conditions are likely the primary factor in berry pigmentation outcomes.
Conclusions and Significance of the Study: Overall, this technique shows promise for improving vineyard profitability by increasing total yield and offering opportunities for the diversification of wine styles. Work is underway 1 to develop mechanised approaches for broader adoption.
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