Vision 2025 - National Research Centre for Grapes

5. IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON FUTURE RESEACRH
5.1 GROWTH
5.1.1 Crop Improvement
Germplasm collection of 415 accessions which includes rootstock species, various table and
wine grape varieties / hybrids and wild species at the Centre is going to make an important
impact for the development of plant material of desirable traits to meet the requirements of
grape industry. So far, Dogridge rootstock has been recommended for cultivation under the soil
/ water salinity and drought conditions and accepted very well by the grape growers all over
the country. About more than 1000 ha area has come under this rootstock and all upcoming
areas are covered with this rootstock. With regard to grape varieties for table purpose and
raisin making Thompson Seedless and its clones identified by the growers viz. Tas-A-Ganesh,
Sonaka, Chaman and among coloured varieties, Sharad Seedless, a clone of introduced
Kishmish Chernyi has replaced all conventional varieties like Anab-e-Shahi, Bangalore Blue
and Gulabi. Flame Seedless has also been accepted in some areas. Introduced wine varieties
viz. Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Clairette among
white varieties and Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Zinfandel among the red wine have
been accepted by wineries in the country. Computer software developed for germplasm
collection will find a way for knowing all the available germplasm in the country with their
genetic and other traits. Biotechnological work initiated at this Centre is going to make an
impact in identification of genetic purity of different varieties and rootstocks and marker
assisted selection for the development of plant material with all desirable traits.
5.1.2 Crop Production
Newer treatments of bio-regulators, pot filling, grafting and its growth stages suggested in
raising the plant in nursery so far and in the field were accepted by the grape growers and
looking for still better and efficient methods to reduce the initial period of gestation for setting
up of vineyard. Training methods for vineyard development is yet to make uniform impact and
there is a lot of variation in design and fabrication material used. Pruning practices suggested
in different varieties as per the period of crop harvest were also accepted by the growers by
making some modifications to suit their requirement. Use of bud breaking chemicals for
uniform bud sprout, stage and various concentrations of bioregulators and stage of their
application to increase yield and quality of table grapes is widely practiced. Other cultural
practices like retention of shoots and bunches per unit area, leaf area per shoot are being
adopted by majority of the grape growers to produce good quality grapes.
Dogridge rootstock and its compatibility with Thompson Seedless and its clones has been
established and accepted by the grape growers under the soil and water salinity and drought
conditions. Leaf petiole analysis at bud differentiation and flowering stage for knowing the
status of nutrients and their right quantity application in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium has made much impact in application of fertilizers. In addition to this, the technique
of fertigation to increase the fertilizer efficiency developed by the Centre is being transferred
through various extension methods including the technical bulletins and folders. Drip
irrigation method has been well received and all grape area is presently covered under this
method. To increase further the efficiency of water among grape growers by suggesting the
phenological stages of vine vis-à-vis the water requirement has been accepted besides the other
methods such as use of mulches, use of various rootstocks and antistress chemicals.
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