Effect of seed number per berry on mineral composition of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) berries

SummaryIn two Vitis vinifera L. cultivars, differing in susceptibility to stalk necrosis, a calcium related disease (Croatina, susceptible; Barbera, resistant), the relationship between seed number per berry and mineral concentration in the berry was investigated. Starting from the anthesis until 100 d later, weekly samples of 500 berries per cultivar were picked. Berries were divided according to their seed number and the relative percentages were: for cv. Croatina 49.3%, 38.1%, 12.6% of 1-2-3 seeded berries respectively; for cv. Barbera 31.3%, 40.4%, 23%, 5.3% of 1-2-3-4 seeded berries respectively. The berries were weighed and dried and their calcium, potassium and magnesium contents analysed. In both cultivars the final size and chemical composition of the grape berries were related to their seed number; one seeded berries were smaller than 2-3-4 seeded berries. Calcium, magnesium and potassium contents of berries increased with increasing berry seed number, but the seeds had less influence on mineral...