Comparison of shoot growth and development among different grapevine cultivars under greenhouse conditions

In order to screen cultivars with easy flower formation and moderate growth vigor of shoot under greenhouse condition, 2-year-old grapevines (Vitis vinifera L) growing in greenhouse were used to observe and compare the difference of growth pattern, morphological characteristic, dry matter content and partition, and flower formation of shoots among five cultivars, 'Augusite', 'Victoria', 'Yatomi Rosa', 'Fujiminory' and 'Lzunishiki'. The results showed that, compared with other cultivars, the shoot of 'Lzunishiki' and 'Fujiminory' showed a slower extension growth after sprouting. And, a larger diameter rise in shoot after topping was found in 'Lzunishiki' and 'Victoria'. Just before topping, 'Lzunishiki' had the shortest inter-node length in primary shoot and a less ratio of the length to the diameter than the other cultivars except 'Fujiminory'. Also, the leaves of 'Lzunishiki' and 'Fujiminory' appeared larger and thicker than the other three cultivars, and a higher percent of dry matter partitioning to leaf was also observed in shoots of the two cultivars. Larger percent of shoots in 'Lzunishiki' and 'Yatomi Rosa' became fruiting canes in the following year and canes born more fruiting shoots than the other cultivars. Moreover, more fruiting shoots arose from the lower node position of canes of 'Lzunishiki'. Therefore, among the five cultivars, 'Lzunishiki' might be the most promising one that matched the viticulture in greenhouse conditions. Although 'Yatomi Rosa' also showed the easy flower formation in greenhouse, it represented a more vigorous shoot growth, which should be paid more attention to control in greenhouse production.