Studies on Berry Thinning and Leaf Removal Practices in Grapes

Berry thinning and leaf removal are important operations in viticulture to achieve quality crop harvest. Consequently, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of berry thinning and leaf removal practices in Thompson Seedless grapes at RHRTS Sharbo, Kinnaur in 2023. For the study, summer pruning including leaf removal and berry clipping practices were considered as main treatments at veraison stage. Among various treatments combination of removal of basal five leaves and berry clipping by keeping six shoulders (T5) and clipping by keeping four shoulders (T4) have improved berry weight (4.47 g and 4.29 g), berry size (12.96 mm and 12.52 mm), bunch weight (216.65 g and 218.25g) and TSS (17.330B and 15.500B) respectively, compared to control (2.81g, 8.43 mm, 181.45g and 13.810B respectively.). Hence, berry clipping and leaf removal practices is essential form of crop load management to get quality grapes.