Effects on Grape Growth and Fruits Quality in Intercropping of Grape with Hoary Stock

PurposeTo explore the effects on the grape growth and fruit quality in the grape and hoary stock intercropping system, providing a reference for grape diversity planting patterns.

MethodsUsing pot experiments in glasshouse to screen out the aromatic plant with best growth-promoting effect on grape seedlings among hoary stock, lavender and sweet wormwood, and field experiments were conducted for two years to verify the effects on Summer black and Red globe growth and fruit quality.

ResultsThe growth promotion effect on grape of hoary stock was better than that of lavender and sweet wormwood. In pot experiments, hoary stock could significantly promote the shoot growth of the two grape seedlings, and the average growth rates of internode length were 13.65% and 13.35%, respectively. In field, after intercropped with hoary stock, the average internode increasing rates of Summer black and Red globe were 17.71% and 14.33%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in monocultures (P<0.05). The average increasing rates of cluster vertical diameter of Summer black and Red globe in intercroppings were 16.58% and 15.74%, respectively, which were higher than that in monocultures; but the increasing rates of node diameter and cluster transverse diameter were lower than those of monocultures. The SPAD values of leaves and soluble solid contents in fruits of Summer black and Red globe were significantly increased by 11.66% and 18.67%, 17.09% and 28.75%, respectively, compared with monocultures (P<0.05). The hundred kernel weights, pH values and total phenol contents of Summer black and Red globe fruits were both slightly higher than those of monocultures. The total phenol content of Summer black significantly increased by 42.63% (P<0.05) compared with monoculture, while that of Red globe was slightly lower than that of control. The tannin contents of both were lower than that of monocultures.

ConclusionTo intercrop hoary stock with grape can effectively promote the longitudinal growth of grape shoots and fruit clusters, improve the grape fruit yield and flavor substance contents, and finally improve grape fruit quality. So the intercropping of grape with hoary stock can be applied as a vineyard cultivation pattern with good ecological benefits.