The document summarizes a seedless grape variety trial conducted between 2005 and 2010 on a farm in North Carolina. Fourteen varieties of seedless table grapes were planted and evaluated based on yield and harvest date. The top yielding varieties were Mars, Marquis, and Venus. Initial costs to establish the vineyard totaled over $25,000.

1. Seedless Table Grape Variety Trial Carl Cantaluppi Extension Area Horticulture Agent Granville and Person Counties

2. How The Project Began In 2005, Doreathy Booth and Celine Koropchak asked what additional high-value horticultural crop they could grow. Seedless table grapes were suggested since they were not being grown on a commercial scale in the Piedmont. Obtained an Innovative Program Grant from NC A&T to plant a 14 variety grape trial on her farm to compare different varieties since research on these grapes is scant.

4. 2005 Planting Grapes were planted 10 feet between vines in the row and 10 feet between rows. We planted 360 vines on the acre, using a randomized complete block design with 5 plants per plot and 5 replications on May 18, 2005 on a clay loam soil.

5. During 2005 and 2006, the vines were trained and pruned, leaving one shoot to train as a trunk, tied to a bamboo stake, until it reached the top wire, which was 5 feet from the ground. A lower wire, at 2 1/2 feet from the ground was used for attaching the trickle irrigation tubing.

7. Vines were trained to the two arm Cordon System, with each arm being pruned back to 8-10 buds on weak vines and to 12-15 buds on each arm if they were vigorous.

8. 2 Arm Cordon Pruning System

9. Grape Variety Descriptions A wide range of flavors and appearances are available among the seedless table grapes. Vitis labrusca grapes have a fruity or “foxy” flavor. Breeding programs in New York, Ontario, and Arkansas focus on improved cold-hardiness and quality.

10. Since North Carolina has warmer winters than the Northeastern U.S., these varieties should perform very well in our climate. Vines will be inoculated with a benign strain of Xylella fastidiosa , the bacterium which causes Pierce’s Disease of grape to cross protect them.

11. Mars

12. Mars A University of Arkansas release with a mildly labrusca flavor, blue slipskin (having a tough skin that separates readily from the pulpy flesh). Medium sized clusters, highest yielder Ripens from July 27-August 10

13. Marquis

14. Marquis NY release, white, large clusters Juicy, melting texture Ripe fruit holds well on vine with flavor going from a mild fruity flavor when first ripe, to a stronger labrusca flavor two weeks later. Very vigorous vine. Ripens from August 2-10

15. Venus

16. Venus A University of Arkansas release Vigorous, productive blue-black grape Large berries with mild labrusca flavors, slipskin Seed traces may be noticeable Ripens July 20 - August 3 in Oxford

17. Jupiter

18. Jupiter University of Arkansas release Reddish-blue to blue when ripe Large, firm, non-slipskin berries on medium sized clusters A distinct muscat flavor Ripens from July 20 -27 in Oxford

19. Lakemont

20. Lakemont NY release Very compact and tight clusters Small to medium sized berries Needs to be cluster thinned to prevent overcropping Ripens in Oxford July 26 - August 3

21. Einset

22. Einset NY release Oval, bright red berries with a light waxy bloom(powdery covering on fruit) Medium sized berries, tough skin adheres to tender flesh Fruity sweet strawberry-like taste Ripens in Oxford July 20 - 26

23. Glenora

24. Glenora NY release Produces medium sized blue berries Loose clusters Ripens in Oxford from July 20 - 27

25. Canadice

26. Canadice NY release Produces medium sized, excessively compact clusters with small red berries Ripens in Oxford July 26

27. Vanessa

28. Vanessa Developed by the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Canada Medium sized, well filled clusters Mild and fruity flavor, crisp berry texture Excellent fruit quality Ripens in Oxford July 20 - 27

29. Concord Seedless

30. Concord Seedless Similar in flavor and texture to Concord Clusters and berries are smaller than concord. It is not seedless here. Productivity is erratic, due to its uneven ripening under hot temperatures Might replace with the seeded Sunbelt variety, which ripens evenly

31. Suffolk Red

32. Suffolk Red NY release Produces medium to large (somewhat loose) clusters of mild-flavored red berries Ripens in Oxford on August 10

33. Himrod

34. Himrod NY release Medium sized white grapes Loose clusters Honey-like flavor Ripens in Oxford July 20 - 27

35. Variety lbs./A &Harvest Date 2007 2009 2010 Mars 4329a 11954a 3818a 7/27-8/10 Marquis 4295a 4341 b 2645 b 8/2-10 Venus 1972 b 4344 b 1623 c 7/20-8/3 Jupiter 1686 b 1795 b 411 d 7/20-26 Lakemont 970 b 4256 b 545 d 7/26-8/3 Glenora 705 b 2450 b 739 cd 7/20-27

36. Variety lbs./A & Harvest Date 2007 2009 2010 Einset 668 b 3228 b 347 d 7/20-26 Canadice 559 b 1847 b 1579c 7/26 Vanessa 503 b 3668 b 1126cd 7/20-27 Con. Sdls. 341 b ---------- ---------- 8/10 Suff. Red 250 b 1064 b 222 d 8/10 Himrod 241 b 1536 b 486 d 7/20-27

37. Vineyard Establishment Costs Deer Fence and Trellis $15,000.00 Bamboo Stakes 121.00 Fiberglass Stakes 462.00 Drip Irrigation pump, pipe hookups, faucets 2,340.00 Grape Vines 2,460.00 Snap and Grow Tubes 1,462.00 Tapener Guns to attach vines to trellis 133.00 Fungicides 540.00 Round-Up for 3 years 387.00 Vegetable Wash 49.00 Protective Gear for Spraying 214.00 Grape Lugs for Harvesting 308.00 Fertilizer 234.00 Pesticide Private Applicator License 6.00 Marking Spray for vines 11.00 Grass Seed for row-middles 358.00 Diesel Fuel 200.00 Gasoline for Lawn Mower 210.00 Reflective Tape to Scare Birds 108.00 Labor (800 hours) --------- Other Irrigation Installation Help 1,000.00 Total $25,603.00

38. Grape Variety Source for Trial Double A Vineyards 10277 Christy Road Fredonia, NY 14063 716-672-8493 E-mail: [email_address] Website: www.doubleavineyards.com