Feasibility Study of Grape Production in Greenhouse Conditions in Khorasan Razavi Province

Introduction

Grapes (Vitis vinifera L) have been of interest to humans for thousands of years. The benefits and valuable properties of this product extend beyond just nutritional aspects. However, grape cultivation has undergone significant changes in recent years, primarily due to challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and increased demand for high-quality products. Traditional grape cultivation has numerous disadvantages, such as the vulnerability of the crops and plants to stresses and unfavorable environmental conditions, increased prevalence of diseases, and so on. Cultivating fruit trees in greenhouses is an innovative method that involves growing fruit trees in controlled greenhouse environments to achieve early harvests, extend the growing season, improve yields, and enhance fruit quality.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted in a greenhouse with an area of 2500 square meters in Khorasan Razavi Province (Chenaran), featuring 800 three-year-old grapevines, including three varieties: Yakuti, Flame Seedless, and Turkmen-4. The cultivation method was soil-based with a spacing of 2 × 1.5 meters, trained in a T-system (three tiers) during the years 1403 and 1404. The irrigation system utilized was drip irrigation, implemented using the capabilities of the smart irrigation system (Hoshab) developed by a technology company operating under the Agricultural Engineering Research Institute's growth center. Irrigation scheduling was precisely executed using a volumetric meter, and the volume of water used was reported. Foliar application of potassium nitrate was performed two weeks before bud swelling at four levels: 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%, as a substitute for part of the chilling requirement.

Results and Discussion

The positive effect of foliar application of 5% potassium nitrate on the percentage of bud opening of grape cultivars resulted in 63.33% bud activation in the Yakuti cultivar, which was an increase compared to the control. The results of the mean data comparison indicated that the highest cluster weight (236.25 g), cluster length (173.75 mm), stem length (61.5 mm), mean berry weight (3.2 g), and berry width (16.05 mm) were observed in the Flame Seedless variety. The lowest acidity was found in the Yakuti grapes (0.092 N). Given the density of the planted vines in the greenhouse, the total yield achieved was 8000 kilograms. Greenhouse grape production showed a reduction of approximately 49% in water consumption compared to outdoor grape production. According to the results obtained, the Flame Seedless grape variety exhibited the highest yield (3161.6 kg) and Yakuti grape variety demonstrated the highest water use efficiency (7.1 kilograms per cubic meter).

Conclusion

The Yakuti grape variety was earlier than the other varieties, which allows it to be sold at a higher price. Given the high yield of the Flame Seedless variety and its good quality, in terms of cluster weight, cluster length, mean berry weight, and earlier ripening compared to the Turkmen-4 variety, it can be cultivated alongside the Yakuti variety in the greenhouse.

Keywords: Turkmen-4, Flame Seedless, chilling requirement, potassium nitrate, Yakuti.

Feasibility Study of Grape Production in Greenhouse Conditions in Khorasan Razavi Province

Introduction

Grapes (Vitis vinifera L) have been of interest to humans for thousands of years. The benefits and valuable properties of this product extend beyond just nutritional aspects. However, grape cultivation has undergone significant changes in recent years, primarily due to challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and increased demand for high-quality products. Traditional grape cultivation has numerous disadvantages, such as the vulnerability of the crops and plants to stresses and unfavorable environmental conditions, increased prevalence of diseases, and so on. Cultivating fruit trees in greenhouses is an innovative method that involves growing fruit trees in controlled greenhouse environments to achieve early harvests, extend the growing season, improve yields, and enhance fruit quality.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted in a greenhouse with an area of 2500 square meters in Khorasan Razavi Province (Chenaran), featuring 800 three-year-old grapevines, including three varieties: Yakuti, Flame Seedless, and Turkmen-4. The cultivation method was soil-based with a spacing of 2 × 1.5 meters, trained in a T-system (three tiers) during the years 1403 and 1404. The irrigation system utilized was drip irrigation, implemented using the capabilities of the smart irrigation system (Hoshab) developed by a technology company operating under the Agricultural Engineering Research Institute's growth center. Irrigation scheduling was precisely executed using a volumetric meter, and the volume of water used was reported. Foliar application of potassium nitrate was performed two weeks before bud swelling at four levels: 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%, as a substitute for part of the chilling requirement.

Results and Discussion

The positive effect of foliar application of 5% potassium nitrate on the percentage of bud opening of grape cultivars resulted in 63.33% bud activation in the Yakuti cultivar, which was an increase compared to the control. The results of the mean data comparison indicated that the highest cluster weight (236.25 g), cluster length (173.75 mm), stem length (61.5 mm), mean berry weight (3.2 g), and berry width (16.05 mm) were observed in the Flame Seedless variety. The lowest acidity was found in the Yakuti grapes (0.092 N). Given the density of the planted vines in the greenhouse, the total yield achieved was 8000 kilograms. Greenhouse grape production showed a reduction of approximately 49% in water consumption compared to outdoor grape production. According to the results obtained, the Flame Seedless grape variety exhibited the highest yield (3161.6 kg) and Yakuti grape variety demonstrated the highest water use efficiency (7.1 kilograms per cubic meter).

Conclusion

The Yakuti grape variety was earlier than the other varieties, which allows it to be sold at a higher price. Given the high yield of the Flame Seedless variety and its good quality, in terms of cluster weight, cluster length, mean berry weight, and earlier ripening compared to the Turkmen-4 variety, it can be cultivated alongside the Yakuti variety in the greenhouse.

Keywords: Turkmen-4, Flame Seedless, chilling requirement, potassium nitrate, Yakuti.