• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.561-566
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• 2010

The effects of calcium concentrations of coating bag treatment to reduce berry cracking were investigated through the changes of pericarp structure and berry cracking rate in 'Kyoho' grape. The soluble solids and anthocyanin contents in harvested grapes were highest at $18.1^{\circ}Brix$ and $2.56{\mu}g{\cdot}cm^{-2}$ in non bagging group compared with those of calcium coating bag treatments. The firmness of pericarp was lowest in non bagging group ($1.18kg{\cdot}5mm^{-1}{\O}$) compared with bagging treatments (1.23, 1.24, 1.27, $1.35kg{\cdot}5mm^{-1}{\O}$) which increased effectively in proportion to calcium concentration. As a result of histological observation of the fruit skin, the bagging with higher calcium concentration developed thicker epidermal and sub-epidermal layer of cell wall than that of non bagging. Moreover, the strengthened berry skin of calcium treatments effectively decreased berry cracking rate under critical turgor pressure. However, the 9% calcium coating bag treatment which was the most effective for cracking reduction seriously decreased marketability of harvested grape with white color staining on berry skin caused by eluted calcium from the coated paper bag. Based on our results, we recommend that 6% calcium coating bag be available for berry cracking reduction and higher quality production.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.381-386
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• 2010

The berry growth and pericarp characteristics were characterized to confirm the effects of bagging periods on berry cracking during berry development in 'Kyoho' grape. The berry weight was the highest at 13.4 g in late period of bagging treated at 7 to 9 weeks after full bloom (WAFB) as compared with the lowest of 12.3 g in total period bagging. The berry cracking rate under critical turgor pressure in the non-bagging control was 53.3%, while those of bagging treatments were decreased in the order of 42.7%, 37.3%, 33.3%, and 18.7% in bagged during 3 to 9, 3 to 5, 5 to 7, and 7 to 9 WAFB, respectively. In the results of observation on histological characteristics of pericarp, berry lenticels of whole bagging treatments had smaller and normal shape compared with non-bagging control treatment. Especially on the pericarp of late period bagged during 7 to 9 WAFB, suberization around stomata and micro-cracking were not observed and structural strength of pericarp was increased with thicker sub-epidermal layer and cell wall. Therefore, the results indicate that bagging treatment for two weeks just before the veraison when the day length and daylight is relatively longer and stronger can effectively reduce berry cracking by strengthening structure of pericarp in 'Kyoho' grape.