Abscisic Acid Application Affects Color and Acceptance of the New Hybrid ‘BRS Melodia’ Seedless Grape Grown in a Subtropical Region

The application ofS-ABA enantiomer to clusters of poor pigmentation cultivarscan improve grape color. The aim of this study was to assess whetherS-ABA applied toclusters of the new hybrid ?BRS Melodia? seedless grape can improve its colorcharacteristics and to evaluate the consumer acceptance. The following treatments wereevaluated: Control;S-ABA at 200 mg·LL17 days after veraison (DAV);S-ABA at 400mg·LL17 DAV;S-ABA at 200 mg·LL17 DAV+200 mg·LL121 DAV; andS-ABA at 400mg·LL17 DAV+400 mg·LL121 DAV. To apply the treatments, clusters were sprayedusing a backpack sprayer until runoff. The exogenous application ofS-ABA significantlyimproves the color of berries of ?BRS Melodia? seedless grape, particularly at aconcentration of 400 mg·LL1in two applications, at 7 DAV and 21 DAV, resulting inclusters with greater consumer acceptance through visual-sensory analysis. Regardlessof concentration or application timing, there was no change in the physicochemicalcharacteristics of the berries or clusters, nor in the number of shoots per cane or clustersper shoot in the season after its application.