FREEZING DEGREE AND FERTILITY OF WINTER BUDS OF THE GRAPE VARIETIES MALVASIA ISTRIANA AND GARGANEGA IN THE ŽEPČE AREA

Abstract

The aim of this research was to examine the degree of freezing and the fertility of winter buds along the shoots of the Malvasia Istriana and Garganega vine varieties grown in the Žepče area. The vine is sensitive to low winter temperatures, and the degree of freezing of the winter buds and other organs depends on the biological characteristics of the variety and the ecological conditions of cultivation. The degree of freezing of winter buds was determined by the method of provocation of buds, while the fertility of shoots was determined by counting inflorescences per bud, shoot and reproductive shoot. Samples were taken at the beginning of March, 10 shoots with 10 buds for each variety. Fertility and the degree of freezing of winter buds along the length of the shoots were monitored. Based on the obtained results, the percentages of buds, fertility coefficients of buds and shoots, and the fertility of varieties, as well as the fertility of developed buds from the first to the tenth nodus on the shoot, were calculated. By analyzing the measured parameters, we can conclude that the tested varieties can be successfully grown in the ecological conditions of Žepče, and the values of all tested parameters were higher in the Malvasia Istriana variety compared to the Garganega variety.