Currently the preference for seedless grapes is increasing in domestic and foreign markets and an alternative is to produce grapes under plastic cover. However, the increased costs of production of table grapes has been affected by the intense need to control fungal diseases such as downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola). The study aimed to evaluate the production and physicochemical characteristics of 'BRS Clara' seedless grape on 'IAC 572 Jales' and 'IAC 766 Campinas' rootstocks, under different kinds of protected cultivation. The experiment was conducted in Marialva-PR, during two regular crops (sep-Dec/2007, AugDec/2008). The randomized block design was used as a statistical model with four replications arranged in a factorial 7 x 2 (seven kinds of protected cultivation and two rootstocks). The treatments were the following types of cultivation: a. plastic screen without fungicides for downy mildew; b. plastic screen with fungicides for downy mildew (standard control of the region); c. plastic cover without fungicides for downy mildew; d. plastic cover and 50% of reduction of the standard control for downy mildew; e. plastic cover and 75% of reduction for the standard fungicide for downy mildew; f. plastic cover with phosphite and copper; and g. plastic cover without fungicides. it was found that the protected cultivation did not alter the productive characteristics of the vine 'BRS Clara', as the number of clusters and production per plant; the 'IAC 766' and 'IAC 572' rootstocks are suitable for the production of the grape 'BRS Clara' and; the use of plastic cover allows reducing the number of applications of fungicides for downy mildew in the cultivation of the grape 'BRS Clara'.
Viticulture; plastic sheeting; seedless grape; fruit production
