How leaf area: Fruit weight ratio influences date of véraison and synchrony of primary and secondary metabolites

Abstract

Key points: - Reducing the leaf area:fruit weight ratio via trimming delays véraison and directly slows the rate of sugar accumulation. - In contrast, the rate of decrease in concentration of acidity and other secondary metabolites such as methoxypyrazines are less affected. - As a result, when harvesting fruit at the same sugar concentrations, fruit will have a lower acidity or green character when the leaf area:fruit weight ratio is reduced. - Delaying and slowing sugar accumulation by trimming shoots is a useful tool for growers to manipulate the synchrony of fruit metabolites and may be valuable in combating the consequences of climate change.