Abstract

This chapter characterizes the most important disorders affecting table grape quality and provide insight into the underlying mechanisms as well as approaches for reducing their incidence. The development of skin color is an important quality attribute of table grapes, and it is used as an index for harvesting colored varieties. Berry skin color is determined by the presence of various pigments, such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. Anthocyanin biosynthesis and color development in grape berries depends on the cultivar, maturity stage, seasonal conditions, growing area, and cultural practices. Cultural practices for improving color are performed during the early stages of development, and they usually include leaf removal to increase illumination as well nutrition and irrigation management. Grape berry development follows a double-sigmoid pattern and exhibits two rapid growth phases separated by a lag phase. White table grapes, especially Muscat-type cultivars, are prone to tissue browning caused by polyphenol oxidation via polyphenol oxidase in damaged tissues.