An experiment was carried out at the Empresa Timbaúba Agrícola S.A., in Petrolina, PE, Brazil, to evaluate the effect of preharvest Ca treatment on physical characteristics and on Ca content during the development and maturation of 'Itália' grape (Vitis viniferaL.). Doses of Ca (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) under the form of dihydrated calcium chloride were applied by immersion of the bunches during 10 seconds, in the phase of berry color change and beginning of softening (57 days after fruit set). Bunches labelled were evaluated at 28, 43, 57, 72 and 92 days after fruit set. The experiment design was a completely randomized, in a 4 x 5 factorial (dose of Cax development stage) with four replications. There was a rise in the total and soluble Ca in the berries and in the rachis with application of Ca. Treatments increased the content of insoluble Ca in the rachis, but they did not have any effect on insoluble Ca content in the berry. Calcium applied at 0.5 and 1.0% doses slightly increased the weight and volume of berry, but berries treated with 1.5%Ca showed decrease in weight and in volume.
Vitis vinifera; preharvest treatment; table wine; crop management
