Abstract
Gibberellic acid (GA3) application may help in attaining good bunch architecture of grapes. The current study was aimed to find the right stage and dose of GA3 to attain the desired level of compactness in grapes and its impact on fruit physical and biochemical quality. Exogenous application of GA3 was carried out on ‘Sultanina-C’, ‘Flame Seedless’ and ‘NARC Black’ cultivars of table grapes either at pre-bloom or full bloom stage at 5, 10, 20 and 30 ppm during first year experiment, while plain water was applied in control. The best treatments were repeated during the second year experiment. Medium loose bunches were obtained where 10 ppm GA3 was applied especially at the pre-bloom stage in all cultivars. Pre-bloom application of GA3 significantly increased the bunch length of ‘Sultanina-C’ and ‘Flame Seedless’. Variations in total soluble solids (TSS) were recorded during the years and cultivars, ranging from 14.4 to 20°Brix. Pre-bloom application of GA3 (10 ppm) significantly increased the TSS of ‘Sultanina-C’ and ‘Flame Seedless’ during both years, but ‘NARC Black’ showed a significant increase only in the first year. Vitamin C, total phenolic contents (TPC) and antioxidant scavenging activity (ASA) were decreased with the application of GA3. Primary antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were reduced in response to treatments, while peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) followed a reverse trend. In conclusion, 10 ppm GA3 at the pre-bloom stage can help in obtaining medium loose bunches in ‘Sultanina-C’ and ‘Flame Seedless’ that trigger maturity by increasing TSS, but bioactive compounds and the level of primary antioxidant enzymes decreased.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ali S, Khan AS, Malik AU, Shahid M (2016) Effect of controlled atmosphere storage on pericarp browning, bioactive compounds and antioxidant enzymes of litchi fruits. Food Chem 206:18–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.03.021
Anjum N, Feroze MA, Rafique R, Shah MH (2020) Effect of gibberellic acid on berry yield and quality attributes of grapes cv. sultanina. Pesqui Agropecu Bras 9:1319–1324. https://doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90137
Becker T, Knoche M (2012) Water induces microcracks in the grape berry cuticle. Vitis J Grapevine Res 51:141–141. https://doi.org/10.5073/VITIS.2012.51.141-142
Bradford MM (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principles of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72:248–254
Chan Z, Tian S (2006) Induction of H2O2-metabolizing enzymes and total protein synthesis by antagonistic yeast and salicylic acid in harvested sweet cherry fruit. Postharvest Biol Technol 39:314–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2005.10.009
Choi KO, Im D, Park SJ et al (2021) Effects of berry thinning on the physicochemical, aromatic, and sensory properties of shine muscat grapes. Horticulturae. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7110487
Copp CR, Achala NKC, Levin AD (2022) Cluster thinning does not improve fruit composition in grapevine red blotch virus-infected Vitis vinifera L. Am J Enol Vitic 73:56–66. https://doi.org/10.5344/ajev.2021.21016
Domingos S, Scafidi P, Cardoso V et al (2015) Flower abscission in vitis vinifera L. Triggered by gibberellic acid and shade discloses differences in the underlying metabolic pathways. Front Plant Sci 6:1–18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00457
Domingos S, Nobrega H, Raposo A et al (2016) Light management and gibberellic acid spraying as thinning methods in seedless table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.): Cultivar responses and effects on the fruit quality. Sci Hortic 201:68–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.01.034
Evers D, Molitor D, Rothmeier M et al (2010) Efficiency of different strategies for the control of grey mold on grapes including gibberellic acid (Gibb3), leaf removal and/or botrycide treatments. J Int Sci Vigne Vin 44:151–159. https://doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2010.44.3.1469
Gabler FM, Smilanick JL, Mansour M et al (2003) Genetics and resistance correlations of morphological, anatomical, and chemical features of grape berries with resistance to Botrytis cinerea. Phytopathology 93:1263–1273
Gao X, Wu M, Sun D et al (2020) Effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) application before anthesis on rachis elongation and berry quality and aroma and flavour compounds in Vitis vinifera L . ‘Cabernet Franc’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon ’ grapes. J Sci Food Agric 100:3729–3740. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.10412
Gil M, Esteruelas M, González E et al (2013) Effect of two different treatments for reducing grape yield in Vitis vinifera cv Syrah on wine composition and quality: Berry thinning versus cluster thinning. J Agric Food Chem 61:4968–4978. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf400722z
Guo D, Ji X, Li Q et al (2020) Genome-wide characterisation of superoxide dismutase genes in grape and their expression analyses during berry development process. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 95:53–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2019.1647799
Hed B, Ngugi HK, Travis JW (2011) Use of Gibberellic acid for management of bunch rot on Chardonnay and Vignoles grape. Plant Dis 95:269–278. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-10-0382
Helwi P, Scheiner J, Botezatu A et al (2021) Effect of pruning and mechanical fruit thinning on crop load and berry and wine composition of Tempranillo in Texas. IVES technical reviews, vine and wine, pp 3–4 https://doi.org/10.20870/ives-tr.2021.4905
Horvitz S, Chanaguano D, Arozarena I (2017) Andean blackberries (Rubus glaucus Benth) quality as affected by harvest maturity and storage conditions. Sci Hortic 226:293–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.09.002
Jaspers MV, Seyb AM, Trought MCT, Balasubramaniam R (2015) Necrotic grapevine material from the current season is a source of Botrytis cinerea inoculum. Eur J Plant Pathol 144:811–820. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10658-015-0726-4
Jeandet P, Bessis R, Gautheron B (1991) The production of resveratrol (3,5,4’-trihydroxystilbene) by grape berries in different developmental stages. Am J Enol Vitic 42:41–46
Khalil U, Rajwana IA, Razzaq K et al (2023) Quality attributes and biochemical changes in white and colored table grapes as influenced by harvest maturity and ambient postharvest storage. S Afr J Bot 154:273–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.01.044
Korkutal I, Bahar E, Gokhan O (2008) The characteristics of substances regulating growth and development of plants and the utilization of Gibberellic acid (GA3) in viticulture. World J Agric Sci 4:321–325
Lin Y, Huang G, Zhang Q et al (2020) Ripening affects the physicochemical properties, phytochemicals and antioxidant capacities of two blueberry cultivars. Postharvest Biol Technol 162:111097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2019.111097
Martínez-Lüscher J, Torres N, Hilbert G et al (2014) Ultraviolet‑B radiation modifies the quantitative and qualitative profile of flavonoids and amino acids in grape berries. Phytochemistry 102:106–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.03.014
Marzouk HA, Kassem HA (2011) Improving yield, quality, and shelf life of Thompson seedless grapevine by preharvest foliar applications. Sci Hortic 130:425–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2011.07.013
Molitor D, Rothmeier M, Behr M et al (2011) Crop cultural and chemical methods to control grey mould on grapes. Vitis 50:81–87
Molitor D, Behr M, Hoffmann L, Evers D (2012) Impact of grape cluster division on cluster morphology and bunch rot epidemic. Am J Enol Vitic 4:508–514. https://doi.org/10.5344/ajev.2012.12041
Molitor D, Hoffmann L, Beyer M (2015) Flower debris removal delays grape bunch rot epidemic. Am J Enol Vitic 4:548–553. https://doi.org/10.5344/ajev.2015.15019
Montero C, Cristescu SM, Jiménez JB et al (2003) Trans-resveratrol and grape disease resistance. A dynamical study by high-resolution laser-based techniques. Plant Physiol 131:129. https://doi.org/10.1104/PP.010074
Murcia G, Fontana A, Pontin M et al (2017) ABA and GA3 regulate the synthesis of primary and secondary metabolites related to alleviation from biotic and abiotic stresses in grapevine. Phytochemistry 135:34–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.12.007
OIV (2001) OIV descriptor list for grape varieties and Vitis species, 2nd edn. International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)
Olivares D, Retamales J (2017) Relationship among color development , anthocyanin and pigment-related gene expression in ‘ Crimson Seedless ’ grapes treated with abscisic acid and sucrose. Plant Physiol Biochem 115:286–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.04.007
Percival DC, Sullivan JA, Fisher KH (1993) Effect of cluster exposure, berry contact and cultivar on cuticular membrane formation and occurrence of bunch rot (Botrytis cinerea PERS.: FR.) with 3 Vitis vinifera L. cultivars. Vitis J Grapevine Res 32:87–87. https://doi.org/10.5073/VITIS.1993.32.87-97
Perestrelo R, Silva C, Silva P, Câmara JS (2018) Rapid spectrophotometric methods as a tool to assess the total phenolics and antioxidant potential over grape ripening: a case study of Madeira grapes. J Food Meas Charact 12:1754–1762. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-018-9790-8
Pilati S, Brazzale D, Guella G et al (2014) The onset of grapevine berry ripening is characterized by reactive oxygen species accumulation and lipoxygenase-mediated membrane peroxidation in the skin. BMC Plant Biol 14:87. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2229-14-87
Razzaq K, Khan AS, Malik AU et al (2013a) Foliar application of zinc influences the leaf mineral status, vegetative and reproductive growth, yield and fruit quality of “kinnow” mandarin. J Plant Nutr 36:1479–1495. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2013.785567
Razzaq K, Khan AS, Malik AU, Shahid M (2013b) Ripening period influences fruit softening and Antioxidative system of “samar Bahisht Chaunsa” mango. Sci Hortic 160:108–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2013.05.018
Razzaq K, Khan AS, Malik AU et al (2014) Role of putrescine in regulating fruit softening and antioxidative enzyme systems in “Samar Bahisht Chaunsa” mango. Postharvest Biol Technol 96:23–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2014.05.003
Reynolds AG, De Savigny C (2004) Influence of girdling and gibberellic acid on yield components, fruit composition, and vestigial seed formation of “Sovereign Coronation” table grapes. HortScience 39:541–544. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.39.3.541
Richard-Forget FC, Gauillard FA (1997) Oxidation of chlorogenic acid, catechins, and 4‑methylcatechol in model solutions by combinations of pear (Pyrus communis Cv. Williams) polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase: a possible involvement of Peroxidase in enzymatic browning. J Agric Food Chem 45:2472–2476. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf970042f
Roberto SR, Borges WFS, Colombo RC et al (2015) Berry-cluster thinning to prevent bunch compactness of “BRS Vitoria”, a new black seedless grape. Sci Hortic 197:297–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2015.09.049
Shah MH, Rafique R, Rafique T et al (2022) Effect of climate change on polyphenols accumulation in grapevine. In: Phenolic compounds—chemistry, synthesis, diversity, non-conventional industrial, pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. IntechOpen, pp 1–21
Singleton VL (1966) The total phenolic content of grape berries during the maturation of several varieties. Am J Enol Vitic 17:126–134
Sivilotti P, Herrera JC, Lisjak K et al (2016) Impact of leaf removal, applied before and after flowering, on anthocyanin, tannin, and methoxypyrazine concentrations in ‘Merlot’ (Vitis vinifera L.) grapes and wines. J Agric Food Chem 64:4487–4496. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b01013
Škrab D, Sivilotti P, Comuzzo P et al (2021) Cluster thinning and vineyard site modulate the metabolomic profile of ribolla gialla base and sparkling wines. Metabolites. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11050331
Tello J, Ibáñez J (2014) Evaluation of indexes for the quantitative and objective estimation of grapevine bunch compactness. Vitis J Grapevine Res 53:9–16
Xu WT, Peng X, Luo YB et al (2009) Physiological and biochemical responses of grapefruit seed extract dip on “Redglobe” grape. Lwt Food Sci Technol 42:471–476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2008.09.002
Acknowledgements
Mr. Uzman Khalil gratefully acknowledges the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for providing financial support. The author also acknowledges postharvest students of batch 2017–2019 for assistance in experimental sampling and helping in laboratory analysis.
Funding
This work was supported by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan under Indigenous PhD Fellowship 5000, Phase II, Batch V, and the project entitled ‘Various Supply Chain Issues and Commercial Potential of Some Minor Fruits’ (Grant No. 5933/Punjab/NRPU/R&D/HEC/2016).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Uzman Khalil: Data collection, formal analysis, and writing—original draft. Ishtiaq A. Rajwana: Research supervision, project administration, resources, and validation. Kashif Razzaq: Co-supervision, review and editing, formal analysis. Umar Farooq: Methodology, validation. Basharat A. Saleem: Visualization and validation.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
U. Khalil, I. A. Rajwana, K. Razzaq, U. Farooq and B. A. Saleem declare that they have no competing interests.
Additional information
Data Availability
Data will be made available on reasonable request to the corresponding author.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature oder sein Lizenzgeber (z.B. eine Gesellschaft oder ein*e andere*r Vertragspartner*in) hält die ausschließlichen Nutzungsrechte an diesem Artikel kraft eines Verlagsvertrags mit dem/den Autor*in(nen) oder anderen Rechteinhaber*in(nen); die Selbstarchivierung der akzeptierten Manuskriptversion dieses Artikels durch Autor*in(nen) unterliegt ausschließlich den Bedingungen dieses Verlagsvertrags und dem geltenden Recht.
About this article
Cite this article
Khalil, U., Rajwana, I.A., Razzaq, K. et al. Physical, Biochemical and Phytochemical Quality Variations in Grapes Treated by Exogenous Application of Gibberellic Acid. Erwerbs-Obstbau 65, 2031–2044 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-023-00897-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-023-00897-6