Bio-efficacy Studies of Biostimulant (Budmaker) in Relation to Growth, Yield and Shelf-Life of Super Sonaka Grape under Sangli Location, India

Abstract

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is a key crop in the Indian agricultural sector, with seedless varieties like Super Sonaka being highly valued for both domestic consumption and export due to their quality and market demand. However, the potential of these grapes is often limited by environmental stresses and suboptimal crop management practices. Budmaker, a potent blend of protein hydrolysate, cytokinin and TIBA, boosts bud differentiation, nutrient uptake and productivity. The current study evaluated the bio-efficacy of Budmaker, in improving the growth, yield and shelf life of Super Sonaka grapes under field conditions in Sangli, Maharashtra. Despite the growing importance of biostimulants in grapevine cultivation, there is limited research on their specific impact on grapes. To address this gap, this study applied Budmaker at three different growth stages with varying concentrations (400, 500 and 750 ml/acre) to determine the optimal dosage for enhancing vine performance. The aim of the research was to assess Budmakers effects on key agronomic parameters, such as shoot growth, berry quality and yield, while also examining its role in improving biochemical properties like phenol, protein, reducing sugar and chlorophyll content. Results indicated that Budmaker at 500 ml/acre significantly enhanced leaf area (165.17 cm²), chlorophyll content (16.00 mg/ml) and yield parameters, including bunch weight (550.40 g) and yield per vine (19.85 kg/vine). Additionally, the treatment improved biochemical properties such as phenol content (0.55 mg/g) and reducing sugars (293.60 mg/g), contributing to overall better grape quality and shelf life. However, the effectiveness of Budmaker is a sustainable solution for improving grapevine yield and quality.