Phenology and yield of ‘Moscatel’ grapes in four localities of the Arequipa region in Peru

The study of phenological stage duration and growing degree days (GDD) is crucial for improving grape yield, particularly as Peru aims to expand its role as a major grape exporter. This study investigated the phenology and yield of ‘Moscatel’ grape (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in four locations in the Arequipa region. To the best of our knowledge, there is no scientific documentation on the use of ‘Moscatel’ for wine production in Peru. The results showed that the phenological cycle at El Pedregal was longer (222 days) compared to Corire (186 days), a difference that was proportionally reflected in the observed GDD. Vines in El Pedregal exhibited the highest canopy coverage, which was associated with lower porosity and higher yield compared to those in La Joya. An inverse correlation between yield and canopy development was observed in all studied locations. These findings can support vineyard management practices, such as an accurate estimation of production and harvest timing, resource optimization, and targeted use of agrochemicals, with the goal of enhancing the productivity and quality of ‘Moscatel’ wines.