Uvometric characteristics of two Herzegovinian indigenous cultivars 'Žilavka' and 'Radovača'

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a high-diversity crop species, with a large number of cultivars available. Among the numerous cultivars grown worldwide, there are a modest number of Bosnian-Herzegovinian cultivars. Most of them are ancient, and there is little or no information about their origin. They are found and grown only in the region of Herzegovina. Hardly any of the Herzegovinian cultivars is of known origin; they are lost in the obscurity of the past. The existing cultivars of grapes in Herzegovina are the result of a number of evolutionary, agro-ecological and historical factors. Overall, the indigenous (autochthonous) grapevine cultivars can be divided into two groups. The first group includes major commercially grown cultivars which account for more than 90% of the total vineyard area of local cultivars. The second group comprises cultivars of minor economic importance. Cultivars of negligible economic importance occur only as single vines in old vineyards or on trelliswork. The aim of this paper is to present the main uvometric characteristics of two Herzegovinian cultivars i.e., 'Žilavka' (highest economic importance) and 'Radovača' (occasional presence, minor economic importance). The research was conducted during the 2014-2015 period. Uvometric values were determined on 10 bunches, 100 berries, and 100 berry seeds. The mechanical analysis of the grape and berry was performed by the Prostoserdov method. 'Žilavka' had greater bunch weight (213.05 g in 2014 and 197.80 g in 2015) compared to 'Radovača' (156.70 g in 2014 and 135.90 g in 2015). Being dependent on cultivar-specific characteristics, grape quality (total soluble solids and titratable acidity) differed between the cultivars during the research period.