The application of gibberellic acid increases berry size of 'Emperatriz' seedless grape

Gibberellic acid (GA(3)) increases berry size of 'Emperatriz' seedless grape, the response depending on the phenological stage of vine at treatment date and on the concentration applied. From berry fruit set to 21 days later, 80 mg L-1 GA(3) increased commercial berry weight by 50%-90%, depending on the year, reaching similar size to that of 'Aledo' seeded grape, used as comparison. This effect takes place through: a) a larger berry growth rate; b) an early glucose, fructose and sucrose uptake; c) an increase of absolute glucose and fructose content (mg berry(-1)) of seedless berries up to similar values to those of seeded berries; and d) an increase of absolute berry water content but not of relative content to fresh weight, thus water potential and osmotic potential are not significantly modified by treatments. GA(3) does not affect berry pericarp cell number but increases pericarp cell diameter.