Ramhari Gulabrao Somkuwar    Principal Scientist (Horticulture) Ph.D., Horticulture 1992, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

Dr. R.G. Somkuwar has 12 years of experience in genetics and canopy management in grapes.

Salient Research Achievements / works

1.Use of rootstock for sustainable grape production:

Grape, a delicious fruit of commercial importance, is grown over an area of 65,000 hectares mainly in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. With the increase in salinity and shortage of irrigation water in the grape growing states the soil conditions particularly in Maharashtra is considered to be unsuitable for grape. Under such conditions, the use of salt and drought tolerant rootstocks provides a viable option for sustainable grape production. Besides, rootstocks also increase the nutrient uptake efficiency of vines and improve the quantity and quality of produce. Therefore, the use of rootstock in grape cultivation has gained popularity and almost all newer vineyards are being planted on rootstock only.

He is responsible for the multiplication of rootstocks by maintaining its purity and genuinity at the nursery level. Dog Ridge rootstock was found to be the useful rootstock for sustaining the production under adverse situation of soil salinity and bad quality irrigation water. He had delivered the lectures regarding the importance of rootstock in grape cultivation to the grape growers through Charchasatra organized by Maharashtra Grape Growers Association at each pruning in different grape growing region of Maharashtra. The Center has developed nursery and has the annual capacity to produce about one lakh rooted plants to supply to the growers.

New vineyards are being established on Dog Ridge rootstock and there is great demand for the genuine rootstock material.  The bulletin on “Grape Cultivation on Rootstock” is also prepared and released on 9^th November 2004. To reach the information to the growers through publications for the marginal growers, a bulletin in Marathi language was also prepared and published.

2. The technologies developed so far are as follows:

1. Standardization of IBA (rooting hormone) for maximum rooting in Dog Ridge rootstock cuttings.
2. Cutting position (cutting above the knot) in relation to increase in shelf life in grapes.
3. Use of high-density polyliner with absorbent tissue paper to increase the shelf life in grapes.
4. Standardization of season of planting for maximum success in grape rootstock cuttings.
5. Standardization of potting mixture for multiplication of rootstock cuttings in grapes.
6. Standardization of type of stock and scion for maximum success through grafting in grapes.
7. Standardization of time of propagation of Thompson Seedless on Dog Ridge rootstock through grafting.
8. Standardization of bud position for pinching in Tas-A-Ganesh grapes.
9. Standardization of harvesting and pre cooling timing to extend shelf life in grapes.
10. Standardization of rootstock to improve the quality and extending shelf life in Thompson Seedless.
11.  Importance of Calcium nitrate use in increasing shelf life in Thompson Seedless grapes.

3. Standardization of canopy architecture to maximize the production of quality grapes:

i.    Effect of stems on yield and quality of Tas-A-Ganesh grapes grafted on Dog Ridge rootstock under Flat roof gable system of training

The performance in terms of growth and yield of Tas-A-Ganesh vines grafted on Dog Ridge rootstock trained on double stem was better than the single stem.

ii.    Comparison of Tas-A-Ganesh grafted on Dog Ridge rootstock with the own rooted Tas-A-Ganesh vines

Tas-A-Ganesh vines grafted on Dog Ridge rootstock performed better in terms of shoot length, shoot diameter, pruned biomass, etc. and berry quality viz., berry diameter, berry weight and bunch weight as compared to own rooted vines. The yield was higher in grafted vines as compared to own rooted vines.

iii.    Effect of shoot positioning on fruitfulness:

The shoots positioned vertically were found to be more fruitful than the horizontally positioned shoots.

iv.    Effect of bunch load on color development in Sharad Seedless grapes grafted on Dog Ridge rootstock.

In Sharad Seedless grapes, retention of 40-50 bunches per vine spaced at 10’ X 6’ is ideal for uniform colour development.

4. Training conducted:

1.     As Coordinator training on “Fruitfulness in Grapes” was conducted from 1^st to 2^nd April 2004.  Twenty-one grape growers and representatives of various companies attended the training. In the training, major emphasis was given on the practices to be followed for effective fruitfulness in grapes after back pruning. The participants were given demonstration of various technologies developed at the Centre. The importance of practices followed during back pruning and means to increase the fruitfulness was told to the participants.

2.      As Coordinator, a training Program on “Bud testing and its importance in Grapes” was conducted on 25^th September 2004 at the Centre. Seven grape growers attended the training. The purpose of the training was to guide the growers for pruning the canes at proper zone of fruitfulness. The growers were given printed material in the form of compendium.

3.    As Coordinator, a training Program on 'Establishment of Grape Vineyard' was organized from 20th - 21st February 2006 at the Centre. Nineteen grape growers attended the training. The main theme of the training was to train the new farmers for establishing table and wine grapes. The farmers were given the demonstration on trench opening, planting of rootstocks, grafting, recut of grafted vine, framework development, cane development and pruning during the first year for yield. They were also given study material so as to help them at their farm.

Varieties developed

Publications (Click for details)

Email: rgsomkuwar@yahoo.co.in, rgsgrapes@gmail.com

Phone: 020-2691-4245 / 5573 / 5574 (O), 09422032988 (M)

Postal Address 

National Research Centre for Grapes, P.B. No. 3, Manjri Farm Post, Solapur Road, Pune - 412 307, Maharashtra, India. 

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