Experience using Terra-Sorb® foliar in table grapes

Crop: Table grape var. Gensel III
Trial date: 2024
Planting frame: 3x3
Plants/ha: 1111
Drop volume/plant: 0.9 L
Treatment: Terra-Sorb® foliar (2.5 L/ha)
Applications: 4 every 30 days
Spray mixture: Terra-Sorb® foliar + 0.2 L surfactant in 200 L of water.
Application Times:

 

Statistical Evaluation: Tukey Test, α=0.05

Although total production could not be determined because the harvest was not segmented by study area, the pre-harvest evaluation showed that treatment with foliar Terra-Sorb® significantly increased berry diameter compared to the control. This parameter is key, as the number of berries was fixed from the start of the trial, so any increase in total production could only be achieved through increased fruit size.

 

Foliar application of Terra-Sorb® resulted in a reduction in acidity without affecting Brix levels, which translates into a higher ripeness index. This improvement in sweetness perception was confirmed by a tasting panel from Miguel Hernández University.

 

Treatment with foliar Terra-Sorb® significantly reduced berry shedding in the samples taken, achieving a 194% decrease compared to the control. After 15 days of storage, the hedonic assessment of the rachis condition showed greater durability of greenness in the bunches treated with foliar Terra-Sorb®.

 

Treatment with foliar Terra-Sorb® improved postharvest berry preservation, reducing weight loss and increasing firmness.

 

Phenylalanine, an essential amino acid, is a key precursor in the biosynthesis of polyphenols and anthocyanins in plants. Therefore, it was relevant to evaluate the impact of L-α-amino acid-based treatments on the antioxidant capacity of the samples. In this sense, treatment with foliar Terra-Sorb® showed higher concentrations of anthocyanins and polyphenols compared to control fruit.

 

Treatment with Terra-Sorb® foliar has proven effective in improving production parameters, with a notable increase in berry diameter in the Gensel III variety. Additionally, higher postharvest fruit quality and improved bunch preservation were observed. Furthermore, the treatment allowed for earlier ripening compared to the control, optimizing the final quality of the table grapes.