Performance of eight grape cultivars in laterite soil of west bengal

In the Western part of West Bengal, the soil is red and laterite, porous, low in organic matter and nutrients and pH varies between 4.8 and 6.5. The landscape is undulating and the soil in this area is highly erodible. This area, called as red and laterite zone, is suitable for cultivation of grapes on commercial basis. Arka Chitra, Arka Krishna, Arka Neelamani, E 25/11, Perlette, Pusa Navrang, Pusa Urvashi and Pusa Seedless were evaluated for their performance under these conditions and the trial was laid in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The vines were trained on 'Y'-trellies. Yield and physico-chemical characteristics of fruits were recorded when the fruits were ready for harvest. As per fruit maturity, the cultivars Perlette, Pusa Seedless and Pusa Navrang were considered to be the earliest; Arka Chitra, Arka Neelamani, Pusa Urvashi were mid-season, Arka Krishna and E-25/11 were the late varieties. Pusa Navrang produced highest yield of 12.2 kg/vine with T.S.S./acid ratio of 35.1, while Pusa Urvashi gave 2.9 kg fruits with best in quality T.S.S.: acid ratio 38.2, followed by Arka Neelamani produced fruits of 4.7 kg/vine with T.S.S. acid ratio of 36.7 at the plant age of 3 years. Initial evaluation indicated that Pusa Navrang is the best suited for wine and juice purpose while Pusa Urvashi is considered to be for table use and Arka Neelamani for both the purposes and these three varieties can be planted in large scale in the Western part of West Bengal.