As plant growth regulators, gibberellic acid (GA3) and CPPU [forchlorfenuron, N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N-phenylurea] are widely used in the production of table grapes. However, how these compounds regulate the aroma quality remains unclear. By measuring free and bound aroma compounds in Shine Muscat grapes from eight groups during whole growth period, GA3 and CPPU were both found to significantly promote the synthesis of acyclic monoterpenes and (E)-2-hexenal, and double applications were found to further increase the aroma compound contents. On the other hand, GA3 and CPPU obviously promoted the expansion of berries, and the effect of promoting the synthesis of aroma compounds was largely diminished. In conclusion, free compound concentrations in berry were almost unaffected by GA3 and CPPU. From the perspective of aroma compounds, a highly concerted interplay was observed for terpenes, and bound compounds exhibited higher correlations than those of free compounds. In addition, 17 compounds could be used as markers that indicated the developmental timing of berries.
