Research on Planting Density of "Sangiovese" and "Cabernet Sauvignon" Varieties

This research was undertaken to improve knowledge of ‘Sangiovese’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ production behaviour at different planting densities in a vineyard trained to horizontal spur cordon and located on Tuscan coastal area. The trial was conducted during a four year period (1997-2000) in a vineyard set up in 1994, comparing four planting distances (2.8 x 1.2; 2.0 x 1.5; 2.5 x 1.0; 2.0 x 0.75) at a density ranging from a minimum of 2976 to a maximum of 6667 vines/ha. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ was more vigorous, produced smaller clusters, had higher bud fertility, a lower yield and Ravaz index than ‘Sangiovese’. The must of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ had less titratable acidity and higher pH and total soluble solids content than ‘Sangiovese’. In general yield and production of wood per square meter were positively related to the increase in planting density, while pruning wood per linear meter showed an opposite trend. In ‘Sangiovese’ both inter-row and along the row spacing had a marked influence on yield and vegetative performance while in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ the effect of the spacing along the row seems to be prevailing. The results of this research indicate that in the Tuscan coastal area, planting density had no significant influence on grape quality in both cultivars.