Agadai

Main Characteristics

Agadai is a domestic Dagestani autochthonous table grape variety belonging to the eco-geographical group of eastern cultivars (Convar. orientalis Negr.). It is officially regionalized in the Crimean and Odessa regions of the Ukrainian SSR. The vegetative period from budburst to harvest maturity in the Odessa region is 158 days, requiring a thermal sum of 3050 °C of active temperatures. The variety belongs to the very late ripening group, with harvesting typically conducted during the first decade of October. The average potential yield stands at 112–116 centners per hectare, fluctuating between 44 and 198 centners per hectare depending on seasonal conditions.

The Agadai grape variety produces large clusters weighing between 210 and 351 grams and exceptionally large oval berries, with an average weight of 540 grams per 100 berries. At harvest, the must sugar content reaches 14–16 g/100 ml, accompanied by a titratable acidity of 4.8–8.6 g/l. The pulp is fleshy with a mediocre, slightly astringent flavor profile. The organoleptic evaluation score for fresh grapes ranges from 8.1 to 8.6 points. The variety exhibits superior transportability and storage capacity, making it highly suitable for winter storage and pickling.

Morphological Description

• Young shoot (shoot tip): The apex and the first leaves are completely glabrous, displaying a greenish-bronze coloration. Rare araneose (cobwebby) pubescence is present on the upper surface of the first and second leaves. Subsequent leaves turn green with a distinctive reddish-orange tint. The young shoot itself is green.
• Mature cane: The annual mature cane is yellow, showing more intense coloration at the nodal areas. The lignification and overall wood maturity are satisfactory.
• Mature leaf: Medium to large in size, rounded, five-lobed, and deeply incised. The upper surface of the leaf blade is smooth. The superior lateral sinuses are deep, predominantly closed, with an elliptical perforation. The inferior lateral sinuses are closed or open and lyre-shaped. The petiolar sinus is either closed with a narrow elliptical opening or open and lanceolate. The terminal teeth of the lobes are large and triangular. The lower leaf surface features setose (bristly) pubescence along the veins.
• Inflorescence and cluster: The flower type is morphologically hermaphroditic (perfect). The cluster is large (13–20 cm in length, 9–11 cm in width), cylindrical or cylindro-conical in shape. The cluster density varies from loose to medium-dense. The peduncle is short, measuring 3–4 cm.
• Berry: Very large (20–26 mm long, 19–21 mm wide) and oval. The skin color is light green, developing a yellowish-pink sunburn blush on the sun-exposed side. The cuticular wax (pruin) is dense. The skin is thick and coarse. Each berry contains 1–2 large seeds.

Viticultural Properties and Management

The vines are characterized by high vigor. The Agadai grape variety demands significant heat and specific soil conditions, performing best on loamy, gravelly soils situated on southern slopes. The proportion of fertile shoots averages 42%, with a crop coefficient (fruiting coefficient) of 0.53 and a fruitfulness coefficient of 1.3. It displays good graft affinity with Riparia x Rupestris 101-14 rootstock.

Long cane pruning is recommended, leaving 10–12 buds per fruiting cane. Under Crimean viticultural conditions utilizing a cordon training system with a trunk height of 120 cm, a shorter spur-pruning method leaving 6–8 buds is highly effective. The variety is highly susceptible to downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), but demonstrates higher natural field resistance to powdery mildew (Oidium tuckeri) and grey rot (Botrytis cinerea) compared to other European Vitis vinifera cultivars. Low winter hardiness is noted, alongside relative drought tolerance. The variety is not prone to millerandage (shot berries).