Search

The effects of climate change on the cycle of plants are indisputable, in fact one of the most evident reactions to the increase in temperatures is the shortening of the duration of the phenological phases which, moreover, occur considerably earlier than in the past. A postponement of the winter pruning date (i.e. to 2/3 extended leaves) seems to be a fairly promising tool to slow down the accumulation of sugars in the berries, delay ripening and widen the time window suitable for harvesting. A two-year trial was set up to verify the effect of late pruning on the viticultural and oenological characteristics of the Grillo and Frappato vines, typical native Sicilian varieties. The winter pruning was carried out in the month of December, the delayed one in the month of April when the apical shoots of the shoots were in the BBCH-12 phase and had 2/3 extended leaves. At the harvest, the sugars, the titratable acidity and the pH of the must were analyzed on a sample of one hundred berries obtained by sampling the test plants. The surveys also concerned the vegetative-productive aspects of the two varieties; moreover, in the two-year period, double microvinification tests were carried out for the theses in question.