The plastic overhead cover (POC) effects on phenology and thermal requirement of grapevine Vitis vinifera L. 'Moscato Giallo' were evaluated in two seasons (2005/2006 and 2006/2007). The phenology was weekly determined since the winter pruning until the falling of the leaves. The thermal requirement as degree-days (GDºC) was calculated in the same period using 10ºC as base temperature and measured of maximal and minimal air temperature throughout both cycles in covered and uncovered areas. POC increased the thermal sum and it anticipated the budburst and decreased the duration of phenological phases from the winter pruning until the changing of the colors of the berries. However, the POC restricted the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and it reduced in 18 days the ripening process of grapes, in relation to uncovered plants. The thermal sum accumulated (pruning to harvest) under covered and uncovered areas was respectively, 2079 and 1864 GDºC in the first cycle, and 1847 and 1640 GDºC in the second cycle. POC demands alterations in vineyard management such as the green pruning (aiming to reduce the effect of PAR restriction) and the delay in harvest date due to lower ripening under POC, in comparison to uncovered cultivation.
grapevine; plastic overhead cover; microclimate; phenology; degree-days
