Effect of N-dimethylaminosuccinamic acid on Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines

Abstract

Alar (R) (n-dimethylaminosuccinamic acid) was sprayed at concentrations up to 4000 p.p.m. twelve and five days before and at full bloom in one experiment, and to 8000 p.p.m. at the seven to eight leaf stage in a second experiment to single whole vines of Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. All concentrations of the growth retardant on all dates reduced berry weight in the first experiment, but only 4000 p.p.m. and 8000 p.p.m. had that effect in the second experiment. Berry number per bunch was increased by sprays of 1000 and 4000 p.p.m. twelve days before flowering in the first experiment, but bunch weight and yield per vine were not affected by treatment. In both experiments, maturity was delayed by treatment. Berry colour was reduced by 4000 p.p.m. Alar application twelve days before full bloom and at full bloom in the first experiment; a similar tendency occurred as a result of the 4000 and 8000 p.p.m. treatments in the second experiment.