Bio-efficacy Studies of Biostimulant (Budmaker) in Relation to Growth, Yield and Shelf-life of Thompson Seedless Grape under Multilocation

Abstract

Grape cultivation is increasingly challenged by a range of abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, excessive rainfall, high temperatures, intense solar radiation and rising atmospheric CO2 levels. These factors, largely affected by global warming, are posing significant threats to sustainable grape production. Abiotic factors influence the synthesis and breakdown of primary metabolites (such as sugars, amino acids and organic acids) and secondary metabolites (including phenolic compounds, volatile aroma compounds and their precursors). Application biostimulants is an innovative method to improve vine growth, quality and ultimately the final yield. Budmaker, a biostimulant containing 20% protein hydrolysate, 20% cytokinin, kinetin and TIBA, 10% prega agents and 50% essential nutrients. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Budmaker, a biostimulant, on the growth, yield and shelf-life of Thompson Seedless grapes under multilocation trials. The present research was conducted in two locations (at the farm of ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune and at farmers field at Rahata in Ahmednagar of Maharashtra) during the year 2023-24. Budmaker were sprayed at three different stages (first at 1st leaf after the sub-cane, second at 3rd and 4th leaf after the sub-cane and third at 6th and 7th leaf after the sub-cane) with different concentrations (400,500 and 750 ml/acre). Among the different treatments, the application of 500 ml/acre exhibited a significant increase in vegetative growth parameters such as pruned biomass (kg/vine), % fruitfulness, early cane maturity, yield parameters such as average bunch weight, 50 berry weight, yield/vine, berry length and diameter and chlorophyll content. Biochemical and nutrient content such as phenol (mg/g), protein (mg/g), reducing sugar (mg/g), calcium (%), and phosphorus (%) were also estimated.  All the treatments of Budmaker significantly increased fruit bud differentiation, early cane maturity, grape yield, and berry quality parameters as well as shelf life as compared to untreated control. The result revealed that the application of biostimulant i.e., Budmaker found suitable to improve the yield and quality parameter of grapes cv. Thompson Seedless under multilocation trial. Hence, the foliar spray of Budmaker with its higher concentration at all three different stages could be suggested to improve the quality and yield of grapevine.