Facing Spring Frost Damage in Grapevine: Recent Developments and the Role of Delayed Winter Pruning – A Review

In this review, we briefly discuss factors that increase spring frost risk in viticulture and provide updates on vine susceptibility to events damage assessment. The core of the review describes a physiologically based tool prevent by delayed winter pruning (done at or beyond “wool” bud stage) postpone budbreak. exploited principle is related inherent acrotony grapevine, which would “sacrifice” already-developing apical shoots frost, while basal nodes are still dormant thus preserved. A survey 21 published papers confirms final pruning, performed not later than when two three unfolded leaves borne shoots, delay budbreak ∼15 20 days, yield only mildly affected. At times, such can carry until harvest, postponing fruit maturity into cooler time year. Most recommended late-winter protocols use two-step intervention. spurred cordons, mechanical pre-cut shortens canes seven eight also shredding wood be made anytime during season. Thereafter, hand spur-shortening suitable developmental stage shoots. cane-pruned vine, previous year fruiting cane(s) removed any winter, selecting least keep vertical longer required spacing-dictated length. Shortening along with horizontal positioning should take place no there end last season’s