Origin Of Grape
Grapes are fruits that belong to the flowering plant genus Vitis. They are botanically berries and shed off leaves annually. Grape plants are grown for their edible fruits that can be eaten fresh as table grapes or are used to make wine, jam, vinegar, jelly, juice, raisins, and grape seed oil.
Vitis vinifera can survive adverse growing conditions, especially climatic conditions; they are perennial plants native to the Mediterranean region, southwestern Asia, and central Europe. They are cultivated on other continents except in Antarctica.
Grapes occur in clusters and do not ripen once harvested from the vine (non-climacteric). The plant vines are long-stemmed, can reach a height of over 30 meters, and can live for many years with proper maintenance.
The grape leaves are arranged one to each other on the stem; they are long and wide with 5-7 lobes; they can reach 2.0 – 7.9 inches (5–20cm). The wild species of grapefruit is 6mm in diameter and changes from dark purple to black when ripe with pale wax bloom.
Cultivated grape plants produce much larger fruits, up to 3 cm (1.2 inches) long, and can be red, green, or purple.
Nutrient Composition Of Grapes
Below are the nutrients contents in 100g of grape:
- Calories 67
- Total Fat 0.4 g
- Saturated fat 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g
- Sodium 2 mg
- Potassium 191 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 17 g
- Dietary fiber 0.9 g
- Sugar 16 g
- Protein 0.6 g
Medicinal Properties And Uses Of Grape
- Antioxidants in grapes may protect against chronic health conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
- Many beneficial plant compounds like resveratrol in grapes may protect against various types of cancer such as colon and breast cancer.
- Grapes and red wine contain several compounds that may help protect against heart disease. Grapes may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol level.
- Resveratrol, lutein, and zeaxanthin are compounds in grapes that protect against common eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.
- Protection against Alzheimer’s disease and memory, attention, and mood improvement are the benefits of some of the compounds in grapes.
- Magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin K are compounds in grapes, and they promote bone health.
- Grapes contain several compounds that protect against certain bacteria, viruses, and yeast infections.
- Some compounds in grapes contain anti-inflammatory properties which may protect against certain heart and bowel diseases.
How To Grow Grapes
Growing grapes will require prior knowledge; below is a detailed explanation concerning growing grapes.
Yield Information Of Grape
The plant varieties and growing environment are the yield factors affecting grapes. In subtropical regions, grape yield is between 15 to 20 kg per vine or 15 to 30 (or more) tons per hectare, while grape yield is between 5 to 10 tons per hectare in the tropical region.
A grapevine will yield up to twenty pounds of grapes per year. A highly maintained grape plant may last up to 40 years.
Nursery And Transplant Requirements Of Grape
Growing grapes from seed is possible, but it can be somehow not easy. However, the first step to planting is to select a planting location. The site should have full sun and good drainage with enough space to accommodate grapevines when spreading out.
Ensure that the soil is well tilled, and add some sand or peat moss if the soil has a lot of clay to make the soil suitable for planting. Ensure that you dig a deep hole that will cover the root ball comfortably.
Soil And Sun Requirements Of Grape
Grapes do not select soil; however, the soil must have good drainage, air circulation, and full sun with a pH between 6.0 – 7.2. They are deep-rooted; hence regular watering is not required. The soil should not be soggy; it should have good water holding capacity without any hardpan or waterproof layer on the top.
The water table should be at least 6.5m below. The plant requires heat to ripen hence the need to plant in full sun.
Watering Requirements Of Grapes
Watering grape vines weekly in the absence of rainfall is ideal for the plant. The water should penetrate the soil’s surface 12 inches deep; reduce watering once the vines begin to develop fruits to allow fruits to ripen.
Planting And Spacing Requirements Of Grapes
The spacing of grape plants depends on the strength and largeness of the particular plant varieties. The vigor of grape plants is either high or low; this implies the rate at which the canopy grows. High vigor plants that are too close will run into each other, resulting in a tangled mess.
Low vigor plants that are planted far away will create gaps, thereby wasting space. Grapevines should be planted eight feet apart with eight to ten feet between rows for optimum productivity.
Harvesting Of Grapes
Generally, the grape harvest period is 30 – 70 days after the fruit sets. During this period, grape varieties have different color changes like the white varieties change from green to yellow, or red-purple for red varieties. Also, the sugar level in the fruit rises while acid reduces.
Grape color change occurs long before they are ripe. Tasting the berries is how to judge if you should harvest them or not because they do not ripen when they are off the vine.
Grapes are mostly hand-harvested. Hand harvesting is done using knives or shears, either manual or electric. After harvest, harvesters put them in baskets and take them to the wines (wine varieties) or special warehouses (table grapes varieties).
Storage Of Grapes
Harvested grapes can last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator in a covered container or plastic bag. The ideal condition for grapes is 30 – 32 F with 90 – 95 percent relative humidity. Although grapes have a longer lifespan in the berries family, they still require care to keep them at their best.
You can store seeds in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 months by placing them in a moist paper towel inside a plastic bag. Wash before eating or preserving.
Grape Diseases
Grapes grown in humid areas are commonly affected by mildew and fungus. Symptoms include discoloration, film on leaves, lesions on leaves, or berries decay. Mildew resistant are mostly seedless varieties; ensure to plant the seedless varieties.
Powdery Mildew
Symptoms include a white, powder-like substance on the leaves
Downy Mildew
Indications are light green to yellow spots on leaves
Black Rot
Signs are brown circular lesions on leaves
Conclusion
Thanks to its high concentration of resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant, grapes are a key player in protecting our heart health by reducing inflammation and regulating blood pressure. With its impressive fiber content, this superfood also aids digestion and promotes healthy weight management. And let’s not forget about its impressive vitamin C and K content, which help enhance immune function and maintain strong bones.
Not only does resveratrol demonstrate promising abilities in fighting cancer, but these succulent fruits also offer a natural source of energizing sugars. And thanks to their low calorie count, grapes make for a satisfying snack for those watching their weight. Plus, their hydrating qualities can help promote glowing skin, and research even suggests potential cognitive benefits. So go ahead and indulge in some grapes to nourish your overall health and add a burst of deliciousness to your well-rounded diet.