Grape cultivars flame seedless and Pusa Navrang can be commercially grown in north Indian conditions

Abstract

A trial was conducted on twelve grape varieties and two hybrids at the Institute’s farm during 1995–2002 at a spacing of 3 x 3 m to find out suitable cultivars of grape for commercial cultivation under north Indian conditions. The bud sprouting and ripening were earliest in Beauty Seedless, i.e., 28 Feb and 28 May, respectively, but it was a poor yielder with only 7 kg fruits/vine. Flame Seedless sprouted at almost the same time, on 1st March and ripened 9 days later on 6th June, but gave the highest yield of 27.5 kg fruits/vine. Pusa Navrang recorded the next highest yield of 21.5 kg fruits/vine, which ripened on 10th June. Other cultivars viz: BA × BS-71-50, Delight, Pusa Urvashi, BA × Per-75-32, Gold, New Perlette, Perlette, Pusa Seedless, Kishmish Beli, Cardinal, Kishmish Cherani, sprouted between 3–14th march and ripened between 9–16 June, but like Beauty Seedless, they yielded less than 9 kg/vine. It was also observed that fruit quality of Flame Seedless and Pusa Navrang was not much affected by rain, although, these cultivars were also exposed to rain during ripening time. On the basis of marketable yield, fruit quality and tolerance to rains cultivar Flame Seedless for table purpose and Pusa Navrang for juice purpose can be recommended for commercial cultivation under north Indian conditions.