Trellis systems and rootstocks affect the quality and antioxidant potential of ‘BRS Cora’ grapes in rainy seasons under semiarid conditions

ABSTRACT The quality and phenolic compound composition might be affected by production system due to microclimate around the bunches and sunlight interception provided by vegetative canopy architecture and environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to characterize the quality and antioxidant potential of ‘BRS Cora’ grapes with different trellis systems and rootstocks in rainy seasons under tropical conditions. Three trellis systems and two rootstocks were studied in production cycles during the first halves of 2017 and 2018, using a randomized-block experimental design. Interactions between the trellis systems,rootstocks and cycles differentially affect the fruit quality. The association between vertical shoot positioning or an overhead trellis with ‘IAC 766’ induced higher polyphenol compound contents. In turn, the trellis systems overhead trellis and lyre provided greater stability for the berry weight, soluble solids, total soluble sugar contents, yellow flavonoids, total extractable polyphenol compounds or antioxidant activity in both production cycles. The results of this study inferred that the grape quality and phenolic compound composition were not only affected by some specific climatic factors but also by the trellis system, rootstock, and the interaction between the three factors.