Optimizing harvest timing: Impacts on physical characteristics and quality parameters of grapes

Mersija DELIĆ; Anastasija ANĐUŠIĆ; Fahrudin TOPČIĆ; Milenko BLESIĆ; Fikreta BEHMEN; Mirela SMAJIĆ MURTIĆ; Senad MURTIĆ

doi:10.15835/nbha53314607

Authors

Mersija DELIĆ University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Viticulture and Enology, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 (BA)
Anastasija ANĐUŠIĆ University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Viticulture and Enology, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 (BA)
Fahrudin TOPČIĆ University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Viticulture and Enology, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 (BA)
Milenko BLESIĆ University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Viticulture and Enology, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 (BA)
Fikreta BEHMEN University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Fruit Growing, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo (BA)
Mirela SMAJIĆ MURTIĆ University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Viticulture and Enology, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 (BA)
Senad MURTIĆ University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Plant Physiology, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo (BA)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53314607

Keywords:

berry traits, chemical parameters, cluster structure, grape quality

Abstract

Harvest timing is a critical factor in viticulture, as it directly influences grape composition and, consequently, wine quality. This study evaluated the effects of harvest timing on the physical and chemical traits of two widely cultivated grape varieties from the Trebinje vineyard area, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Basic chemical parameters (total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity) were measured alongside cluster and berry traits, including length, width, and weight of clusters; the number and weight of berries; the skin and flesh weight of 100 berries; and the number and weigh of seeds. Early-harvested grapes showed greater cluster weight but lower total soluble solids, higher titratable acidity, and lower pH compared to later harvests in both cultivars. Changes in cluster and berry traits were more pronounced in ‘Vranac’, where berry weight, skin and flesh mass increased significantly at later harvests, however, in ‘Žilavka’ only the seed weight was notably affected. Across all harvests period, ‘Žilavka’ consistently exhibited higher total soluble solids and lower pH values than ‘Vranac’, indicating a strong varietal effect on grape quality. These findings highlight that delaying harvest within the recommended window can enhance grape composition, while varietal differences determine the extent of morphological and chemical changes during ripening.

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