This work was carried out in a private vineyard, in Caldas-MG, during the 1999/2000 agricultural year, using 'Niagara Rosada' grafted on 'RR 101-44' established plants, aiming to anticipate grape harvest in Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The following treatments were evaluated: anticipated pruning with plastic cover, with or without irrigation; anticipated and regular pruning. Cycle length, degrees-day accumulation from pruning to ripening, morphological characteristics (transversal and longitudinal diameters, weight and number of bunches per plant) and chemical characteristics (soluble solids level, pH and acidity) were evaluated. Despite the higher degree-day accumulation, the plastic cover did not promote a reduction in the vegetative cycle and reduced the production. The anticipated pruning without plastic cover allowed precocity of 42 days in the harvest without any increase in the costs. Plants submitted to regular pruning, without any cover, presented higher number and weight of bunches, higher diameter and soluble solids level. There were no significant differences among the treatments with regard to pH and acidity of the fruits.
Degrees-days; Vitis sp.; plastic cover.
