‘Frontenac’ Grape Response to Canopy Management in North Dakota

Experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the effects of training system leaf removal treatments on yield quality for ‘Frontenac’, an interspecific hybrid wine grape, at a research vineyard located near Absaraka, North Dakota. The experiment was structured as randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement including four (Geneva Double Curtain (GDC), High Cordon (HC), Vertical Shoot Positioned (VSP), Four-Arm Kniffin (4AK)), four-leaf timing (bloom, post-bloom, veraison, control, no removal) eight replicates. In 2013, 1428 growing degree days (GDDs) accumulated 155 between frost events. 2014, 1156 GDDs 121 events, 272 less than year prior. Even large GDD differences years, there significant interaction trellis type removal, main factor did not influence any fruit variables where data collected. Combined analysis showed juice total soluble solids (TSS) or titratable acidity (TA). pH greater when grapes grown VSP compared other systems. live nodes shoots GDC 4AK systems HC Additionally, had cluster number These findings suggest that ‘Frontenac’ TSS accumulation TA affected by Dakota vineyards gains may be reached due without negatively affecting quality.