Plastic overhead cover (POC) is a recent viticultural practice in grapevine cultivation. If maybe changes the plant microclimate and the ripening profile. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the POC influence on ripening evolution of grapes Moscato Giallo. The experiment was carried out in 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons, in a vineyard covered with an impermeable plastic cloth (2.65 m x 160 �m), being left five rows without covering (control). Berries were collected (three replicates of 100 units for treatment) weekly in each area (POC and control). These berries were evaluated regarding weight, diameter and must composition (pH, ºBrix, titratable acidity, malic and tartaric content). At harvest it was characterized also the musts of covered and uncovered grapes (ºBrix, reduced sugar, relative density, total acidity, tartaric and malic content, pH and must yield). POC modifies the microclimate in canopy and clusters influencing the grape ripening. Due to reduction of photosynthetically active radiation, that late sugar accumulation, the POC grapevines should be harvest after compared to conventional grapes.
plasticulture; microclimate; ripening; management
