Comparison of seven chardonnay clonal selections in the Salinas Valley

The viticultural performance of seven selections of Chardonnay was evaluated in a vineyard near Soledad in the Salinas Valley of California. All clonal material originated from the Foundation Plant Material Service (FPMS), University of California, Davis. Chardonnay selections FPMS 4, 5, 6, 9, 14, 15 and 16 were evaluated for three years (1994 to 1996) for yield, growth, and fruit composition parameters. All clonal treatments were harvested on the same date. Chardonnay selections FPMS 4 and 5 had the highest yields; FPMS 6, 9, and 15 were intermediate; and FPMS 14 and FPMS 16 had the lowest yield. Yield differences were due to either higher cluster weights or cluster numbers. Pruning weights were higher for FPMS 6, 9, and 15; intermediate for FPMS 4 and 5; and lowest for FPMS 14 and 16. Despite large yield differences, there were only small differences in fruit composition among the selections. No significant differences in yield or growth were observed for two selections (FPMS 6 and 9) that originated from Olmo #68 and had different thermotherapy treatment.