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Essay on Grapes
Essay Contents:
- Essay on the Introduction to Grapes
- Essay on the Origin and History of Grapes
- Essay on the Area and Production of Grapes
- Essay on the Importance and Uses of Grapes
- Essay on the Choice of Varieties of Grapes
- Essay on the Insect Pests of Grapes
Essay # 1. Introduction to Grapes:
The grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is an important and an economic proposition for the farmers among the horticultural crops grown in India. It is one of the commercially important fruit crops of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in South India.
Grape is also cultivated profitably in the northern States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Grape growing has been regarded as one of the most remunerative enterprises, but a major impediment in the expansion of area under this crop is the heavy initial establishment cost and recurring expenditure. Besides being grown on commercial scale, it can also be planted in Kitchen garden.
Essay #
2. Origin and History of Grapes:
The grape (Vitis vinifera) is the most important species grown in India and is considered to be a native of Armenia – a district near Capsian Sea in Russia. Recently, scientists have reported grapes amongst the oldest flora of the earth, on the basis of discoveries in Western Kazakhstan. Clear imprints of vines and their leaves in cretaceous chalk deposits dating back to 90-95 million years have been discovered, a time at which dinosaurs flourished.
Grapes were known in India since 11th century B.C., but much of its antiquity was not known until the Muslim invasion. Muslim invaders introduced grape from Iran and Afghanistan by the end of 12th century. Later grapes were taken to South by Mohamed Bin Tuglak when he shifted his capital to Daultabad in 1338. The cultivation of grapes in India, has known to be prevalent at the time of Susruta and Charakha (1356 B.C.).
The ancient Aryans knew about grape culture as well as preparation of beverages from it. Recent historic facts can be traced back to 16th Century when Akbar encouraged grape cultivation in India. Later Mughal rulers introduced many more varieties during 1758.
In India, as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the grapes seem to have been introduced in the year 1832 by a French priest at Melapatti in Darmapuri district. Introduction of variety Anab-e-Shahi by Abdul Banquer Khan from the Middle East about the year 1890 revolutionised the grape cultivation.
Sardar Bahadur Lal Singh in 1928 at Layallpur introduced as many as 116 grape varieties from different grape growing countries. Extensive collection of grape varieties made at IARI in 1950. The Late Chief Minister, S. Partap Singh Kairon imported the Anab-e-Shahi variety and also obtained one lac cuttings of Perlette cultivar from California (U.S.A.) in 1962.
The important grape growing countries, in the world as, China, Italy, USA, France, Spain, Turkey, Chile, Argentina, Iran, Australia and India.
Essay # 3. Area and Production of Grapes:
The total area under grapes in India is about 1,16 lakh hectares with an annual production of 22.21 lakh tonnes, though the area under grapes is 1.7 per cent of the total area under fruits, its production accounts for 2.9 per cent of the total production of the fruits in the country.
Grapes are grown largely in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh as tropical grape and in Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh as sub-tropical grapes. It is also grown in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh as temperate crop.
Productivity varies from region to region and the best orchards of Maharashtra and Karnataka yield 17-20 tonnes per hectare. Of the total grape production, about 95 per cent is contributed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The grape cultivation in Punjab is of recent origin. The grape cultivation has been spread in the districts of Bathinda, Ferozepur, Ludhiana and Mansa districts covering an area of about 438 hectares. The total production of grapes in Punjab is 12,523 tonnes.
The major grape growing areas in Maharashtra State are situated in the districts of Sangli, Nasik, Solapur, Pune, Ahmed Nagar, Latur, Satara, Osmanabad and Buldhana as table grapes and Nasik, Sangli, Osmanabad and Buldhana as wine grapes. The area under grapes in this State is 92000 hectares.
In Andhra Pradesh, grapes are grown in Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Anantapur. The Hyderabad-Secundrabad twin city regions form a nucleus for the largest concentration of vineyards around any urban area in India. In Karnataka, the grape culture is mainly concentrated in the district of Bijapur, Bengaluru, Kolar, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Koppal and Bidar and grapes are being cultivated in an area of about 16800 hectares. In Tamil Nadu, grapes are cultivated in Coimbatore, Dindigul and Theni having total area 2900 hectares.
Export Potential:
India is exporting grapes to Netherlands, Bangladesh, UAE, UK, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Sweden, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The export of grapes during 2012-13 was 1.73 lakh mt worth of Rs. 1258.6 crores. The major share was exported to Netherlands (21%) and Bangladesh (20%).
Essay # 4. Importance and Uses of Grapes:
The grape is one of the most delicious, refreshing and nourishing fruit. Ripe grapes are easily digestible. It is fairly good source of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron and vitamins like B1 and B2. Grapes are good source of sugars like glucose, fructose and sucrose. The total soluble solids in different varieties range from 12 to 18 per cent. Brix°-acid ratio in Perlette is 23-30, in Thompson Seedless 28-35 and in Anab-e-Shahi 22-28.
Among the grape products, unfermented grape juice is universally popular. Grape juice is very delicious and energy giving beverage. For bottling fresh grape juice, it is necessary that the fruit should be juicy and aromatic. The juice is mild textured and acts as laxative and stimulant to kidneys.
Ripe fruits are supposed to be the best table fruit. Wine making from grapes is a flourishing industry in many countries. Grapes also make good jelly and syrups. Fruits are used for making raisin. Grape vinegar from Perlette is a popular product.
Essay # 5. Choice of Varieties of Grapes :
There are about 8000 grape varieties which have been named and described but not more than 20 per cent of them may be growing somewhere in vineyards, gardens and varietal collections. In India also more than one thousand varieties have been collected and maintained in varietal collections. However, the varieties which have shown promise and established in a particular state of the Indian union are few.
Anab-e-Shahi which was one of the major varieties in the southern States in the mid-seventies has not been replaced by Thompson Seedless. There is also some area under new clones of Thompson Seedless viz. Tas-A-Ganesh, Chaman Manak, Sunaka and a selection namely Dil Khush from Anab-e-Shahi.
Other varieties which are being grown in South India are Bangalore Blue, Cheema Sahebi, Bhokri and Karachi Gulabi. Under the favourable conditions for grape growing in North West India comprising Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, the area is fast increasing and consistent efforts are being made to make it a success.
The first effort was made during the pre-partition days by the then fruit section to introduce grape cultivation in Punjab. They introduced 116 varieties from places like USA, France, South Africa and Australia. Distinguishing characters of these introductions were described and Thompson Seedless, Khalili, Kandhari, Black Prince, Foster’s Seedling, Black Hamburg, Pandhari Sahebi and Dakh were recommended for semi commercial scale.
Despite all this work, grape growing failed to make an impact as a commercial venture among the growers, perhaps because of disturbed political conditions leading to the partition of the country. A breakthrough was, however, achieved in 1962 when the Punjab Government started making sincere efforts.
One of the major steps was the introduction of Anab-e-Shahi grape variety from Hyderabad on a large scale and import of one lac grape cuttings of an early ripening cultivar ‘Perlette’ from California, U.S.A. Varietal collections were also established at the Regional Fruit Research Station, Abohar and at the main campus of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana by getting varieties from within India and abroad.
It is worth mentioning here that only those varieties came to be established in this region which have short internodes, have more branching habit, bear on the basal buds, are not easily spoiled by rains, ripen before onset of monsoons, possess character of abundant flower bud differentiation and whose flower primorida are not damaged by rainy season. Even varieties which are traditionally cane pruned e.g. Thompson Seedless; give good success only when pruned as long spurs.
As a result of observations recorded at these centres Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana recommended, cvs. Perlette, Thompson Seedless, Beauty Seedless, Flame Seedless and Punjab Purple for commercial cultivation in the Punjab State. Similarly, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar has categorised their recommended varieties in two group’s viz.
Seedless Varieties: Beauty Seedless, Delight, Perlette and Thompson Seedless, Seeded Varieties- Banqui Abyad, Champion, Early Muscat, Gold and Cordinal. Apart from the above mentioned varieties, a new clone of Thompson Seedless namely Tas-A-Ganesh and an introduction from California, U.S.A. namely Flame Seedless are finding favour.
A brief description of some of the above mentioned varieties is as follows:
i. Perlette:
This variety was evolved at the University of California, Davis by Dr. H.P. Olmo. It is a hybrid of Scolokertek Hiralynoje 26 x Sultanina Marble and resulted from a cross made in 1936. This variety has a definite place in grape variety situation because of its being earliest maturing seedless variety in existence. It was introduced and released for commercial cultivation in the Punjab State in 1964 and has now spread in whole of the North-West India.
The bunches of this variety are medium to large in size, conical, heavily shouldered, compact and attractive. Berry is whitish green, medium in size, spherical, ripens from the beginning of 2nd week to end of 3rd week of June.
However, for fear of spoilage by the early monsoon showers, the growers start picking it by the end of the May when the quality is not good. It has a T.S.S. of 16 to 18 per cent, acidity of 0.5 to 0.7 per cent and juice about 70.0 per cent.
The yield averages 30 tonnes per hectare from well managed vineyards. The major drawback in this cv. is compactness of bunches having large number of shot-berries. Although, it is a table variety but can also be used for wine with good success.
ii. Thompson Seedless:
This variety originated in Asia Minor. It is believed to be grown in every viticultural country of the world. The bunches are medium large, long, conical to cylindrical, shouldered, well filled to compact. The berries are yellowish green to golden yellow when fully ripe, small and seedless. It ripens during the second to third week of June before the onset of rains and has an excellent keeping quality.
The T.S.S. ranges from 18 to 22 per cent, acid content 0.5 to 0.6 per cent and juice 70-75 per cent. It is a multipurpose grape variety being used for table, wine and raisins. The yields are almost half of that of Perlette in North-West Indian plains. This variety is getting renewed attention and importance due to its quality.
iii. Anab-e-Shahi:
It was introduced in Hyderabad by A.B. Khan from the Middle East around 1890. The bunches are very attractive, medium large to large (400 to 600g), medium long, cylindrical to long conical, neither shouldered nor winged and well filled. Berries greenish yellow when raw and amber when fully ripe bold and seeded. Ripening is uniform, mid-season to late i.e. last week of June to mid-July in North India. The quality is average in North and good in South and West India.
Total soluble solid varies from 14 to 16 per cent, acidity 0.5 to 0.6 per cent, juice 65-75 per cent; very light cropper on kniffin but very prolific bearer on bower system. The average yield is 35 tonnes per hectare but yields up to 80 tonnes per hectare have been reported from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
This variety is over vigorous and as such the canopy management is bit difficult. Lot of area has been uprooted under this variety in Punjab due to barrenness of the vines which was due to complete shadowing of canes. The important defect in this variety is of low sugars, flat taste and erratic bearing habits.
iv. Flame Seedless:
It is an introduction from California (USA). This variety is a descendant of three cross breed, the Cardinal and Red Seedless, Red Malaga and Tifahfi, and the Muscat of Alexandria and the Thompson Seedless. The clusters are medium in size with small, bright red, crisp seedless berries.
It ripens a week later than Perlette (2nd to 3rd week of June) and yields upto 27 kg per vine. Its juice is light yellow in colour having 18.0 percent T.S.S. and 0.7 cent acidity. This is excellent table grape variety and holds promise for North-West Indian plains.
v. Cardinal:
This is also an introduction from U.S.A., where it was evolved as a cross between Flame Tokay and Ribier. The clusters are small to medium in size and mostly loose. The berries are very large and somewhat round in shape, dark red to reddish black in colour and seeded. It ripens in the first and second week of June.
This is a heavy yielder and yields about 3/4 of Perlette can be expected from a bower trained vines. The T.S.S. ranges from 16 to 18 per cent, acidity 0.4 to 0.6 per cent and juice about 70.0 per cent. Because the berry is thin Skinned and the stem attachment is week. This is an excellent table grape variety and holds promise for commercial exploitation under conditions of North-West Indian plains.
vi. Tas-A-Ganesh:
This is a selection from Thompson Seedless in Maharashtra State. This is different from Thompson Seedless in the shape of berries which are comparatively bigger and more elongate. The bunches are medium to large in size and comparatively loose. The T.S.S. ranged from 18 to 20 per cent, acidity 0.8 to 1.0 per cent and juice 60 per cent. It ripens in the second week of June in Punjab and earlier than Thompson Seedless. There is lot of curiosity among growers for this variety.
vii. Banqui Abyad:
A variety of Russian origin, Banqui Abyad is an excellent table grape. The bunches are large, shouldered and compact. The berries are very bold, green in colour, roundish, skin very thin, seeds 2-4 per berry. It ripens a little after or along with Perlette i.e., last week of May to first week of June.
It contains 80 per cent juice, 18 to 20 per cent T.S.S. and 0.7 per cent acidity. This is a medium cropper and yields about 18 kg per vine. This variety has been used most extensively in breeding programmes for evolving early ripening hybrids. This also holds promise for commercial cultivation in North-West Indian plains.
viii. Delight:
It is a sister seedling of Perlette evolved by Dr. H.P. Olmo at Davis, California, USA. It is less vigorous than either Perlette or Thompson Seedless. Ripening is uniform and early, from last week of May to middle of June. Its bunches are medium to long and berries are green and small.
It has a T.S.S. of 18-21 per cent, acidity 0.5 to 0.6 per cent and juice 70.0 per cent. At prime maturity, it is as good as Thompson Seedless. It has good keeping quality and can ship well to distant markets. It is a good cropper, but yields are less than Perlette.
ix. Beauty Seedless:
It is an introduction from California, U.S.A. It is an early ripening, coloured, seedless, sweet and prolific bearing grape variety. Its bunches are medium to large in size, berries are bluish black, spherical, small, size moderately variable, bloom thick, flesh tender watery. It ripens along with Perlette in the end of May to first week of June.
The T.S.S. content varies from 16-18 per cent, acidity 0.6 to 1.0 per cent and juice 70-75 per cent. The average yield is 25 kg per vine. On account of high juice percentage, sweetness and high yield potential, it is likely to prove useful in the processing industry for juice and raisin making. Because of low keeping quality, its scope of cultivation is limited to only near big cities and towns.
x. Lamanto:
Lamanto is considered to be a complex hybrid between V. champini x V. Iabrusca x V. vinifera x V. aestivalis. The vines of this cv. under subtropical conditions are moderate to vigour and carry medium sized bunches weighing on an average 80 g. The yield per vine varies from 5 to 6 kg. The berries are bluish black, spherical, small to medium having thick bloom. The skin is thick and of slip skin type. The juice is purple coloured and acidic. The seeds per berry may range from 1 to 5.
Ripening is uniform and mid-season (2nd week of June) in North India. It contains 14.0 per cent T.S.S., 1.0 per cent acidity and 80.0 per cent juice. Having non-vinifera blood, it has been observed to be highly resistant to anthracnose and cercospora leaf spot and other fungal diseases.
Moreover, the fruit is neither attacked by birds nor the berries spoil easily by rains. This is its advantage over other coloured varieties, because mostly their skin, not juice, is coloured. To make coloured wine, the juice has to be kept in contact with the skin for long times creating processing problem. This is a rare character in vinefera varieties commercially grown in the region. It can be used for juice and wine making purpose. The deep purple coloured juice is also used for Blending.
xi. Kishmish Charni:
This is an introduction from USSR, where it is a highly valued seedless variety of Uzbekistan. This is mainly used for raisin and table purpose in its home country. The bunches are large and compact. Berries are brick red, spherical medium large, size highly variable. Pulp is juicy, pinkish yellow, very sweet and aromatic.
Ripening is uniform, mid-season, i.e., 3rd week of June in North India. The T.S.S. ranges from 20-22 per cent, acidity 0.5 to 0.8 per cent, juice 70-75 per cent. In Russia the T.S.S. goes upto 28 per cent. The average yield is about 21 tonnes per hectare.
xii. Punjab-MACS Purple:
The fruit is rich in anthocyanins – a source of antioxidants and is suitable for processing into juice, nectar and RTS. It contains 60-65 per cent juice with total soluble solids 17-18 per cent and acidity 0.50 per cent. It has medium and loose bunches. The berry is medium in size, seeded and purple colour at maturity. The ripening time of this variety is first week of June.
Pusa Seedless, Manak Chaman, Bangalore Blue, Gulabi, Cheema Sahebi, Sharad Seedless are another popular varieties of grape. Some good hybrids have been derived by hybridization at IARI, New Delhi and IIHR, Bangalore.
The important hybrids are Pusa Navrang (Angenine x Rubi Red), Pusa Urvasi (Hur X Beauty Seedless), Arkavati (Black Champa x Thompson Seedless), Arka Hans (Anab-e-Shahi x Bangalore Blue), Arka Shyam (Bangalore Blue x Black Champa), Arka Sweta (Ana-e-Shahi x Thompson Seedless), Arka Majestic (Angur Kalan x Black Champa), Arka Chitra (Angur Kalan x Anab-e-Shahi), Arka Soma (Anab-e-Shahi x Queen of vineyards) and Arka Trishna (Bangalore Blue x Convent Large Black).
Essay # 6. Insect Pests of Grapes:
i. Grapevine Thrip (Rhipiphorothrips Cruentatus. Hood):
This is most destructive pest of grapevine in India. The nymphs and adult rasp the ventral surface of tender leaves and flower stalks and suck the oozing cell sap. As a result of their intensive feeding, the leaves develop silvery white scorchy patches with curly tips, gradually get deformed and ultimately fall down.
Attack on flower stalks results in shedding of flowers. Sometimes the fruits are also attacked resulting in scab formation or russetting on the berries. The peak infestation is during February- March and September-October. The pest breed throughout the year excepts in winter, when it is found as a pupae in the soil at a depth of 8-18 cm under the host plants.
For its control spray 500 ml of Malathion 50 EC in 500 litres of water before flowering and after fruit set. In case of Perlette, carbaryl @ 0.15% should be preferred over Malathion as apart from killing the pest population, it also takes care of thinning when sprayed at pea-nut stage.
ii. Leaf-Roller (Sylepta Lunalis Guenee):
It is a serious pest of grapevine during August- September. A female lays 100 to 150 eggs, usually on ventral surface of leaves. On hatching, the young caterpillars feed on the epidermis of leaves and skeletonise the same. Later, these caterpillars roll the leaves and feed within. Pupation takes place within rolled leaves. Generally each leaf-roll contains only one caterpillar. The activity of the pest is accelerated with the onset of monsoon and continues till October.
In the initial stage of attack, remove the rolled up leaves and destroy the same with larvae pupae within. In case of severe infestation spray 500 ml Malathion 50 EC in 500 liters of water as soon as the attack begins.
iii. Hepper (Arboridia Viniferata Sohi & Sandhu):
Nymphs and adults of hoppers usually suck the cell sap from the ventral surface of leaves. The feeding spots on the leaves become pale. In case of severe infestation, the affected leaves turn yellow, gradually start curling, become brown and ultimately fall down.
It is serious after rainy season. It is also responsible for an indirect loss by producing honey dew which serves as a substrate for the growth of sooty mould fungus on foliage and fruits. It affects the production of fruit and also depreciates the quality of grapes.
iv. Yellow and Red Wasps (Polistes Hebraeus (Fb.) and Vespa Orientalis (Linn):
They cause much damage by feeding on ripe berries having thin skin and high sugar content.
Burn or smoke the wasp nest in hedges, on trees etc. at sunset. On a small scale, the damage by wasp, can be avoided by covering the bunches with muslin bags.
v. Defoliating Beetles (Adoretus Spp):
Adult beetles are nocturnal; they come out of the soil after dusk and feed on leaves making innumerable holes in leaf lamina. In case of severe infestation, the entire leaf lamina may be eaten away and also attack the fruit near the apical end. Eggs are laid in the soil, grubs feed on roots and other organic matter and sometimes the grubs feeding on roots cause the death of tree. The adult beetles appear soon after the first heavy shower in June and are active for about one month.
Spray in evening one kg Carbaryl 50 WP in 500 litres of water as soon as the damage starts. Repeat the spraying after 5 or 6 days, if the damage continues or the insecticidal deposit is washed away by rain.
vi. Mealy Bugs (Nipaecoccus Viridis and Maconellicoccus Hirsutus):
Mealy bugs are active during July to October in vineyards. First Species is the major one cause’s damage to twigs, branches, leaves and fruits. Second species is active on tender shoots.
Spray 1875 ml Durmet/Dursban 20EC (chlorpyriphos) or 750 ml Curacron 50 EC (propenophos) or 500 g Asataf 75 SP (acephate) in 500 litres of water after the harvest of grapes in July to avoid the residue of insecticides.