Abstract: The effects of plant growth regulator, leaf removal, wounding, bagging and harvest time on the fatty acid composition of wine grapes were studied. The experimental treatments were conducted using Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.) and Chardonnay (Vitis vinifera L.). Our results showed that 16 fatty acids were detected in grape skins. The unsaturated fatty acids mainly consisted of linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitoleic acid; however, no linolenic acid was detected. In addition, the saturated fatty acids mainly consisted of palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid and arachidic acid. Abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), light intensity, wounding and harvest time potentially affected the content of linoleic acid. In the berry skins of both varieties, we found a positive relationship among some fatty acids, but large differences were observed between the two varieties. In the skin of Chardonnay grapes, significantly more fatty acids with a positive relationship between each other compared with Cabernet Sauvignon, and what is more, there was a stronger relationship between saturated fatty acids than between unsaturated ones. These results could be helpful for vineyard management and for improving the quality of grapes in terms of fatty acid composition.

Key words: field management practices, wine grape, fatty acid composition, correlation