THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE LEVEL AND QUALITY OF YIELD OF VRANAC VARIETY IN PODGORICA VINEYARDS

Due to the favourable climatic and soil conditions, the vineyards of Podgorica have always been known as a very favourable area for successful cultivation of grape vine. The influence of climatic factors on the grape yield, weight of vine cluster and quality of grape vine of Vranac variety were studied during 2003, 2004 and 2005. The estimation of grape quality is done on the basis of sugar content and total acid content in the must. The average grape yield in the three year period was 13.5 t/ha, the sugar content about 24%, the acid level 6.10 g/l, which means Vranac variety from this vineyard had the optimal production conditions. Although, these three years were warmer with greater amount of rainfall in comparison to long term average, a more detailed analysis of differences between monthly values of climatic parameters during that period, especially during growing period, can explain differences in yield and grape quality.