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'Miracle grapes' turn seedless

by M.C. Vilar (Correspondent) 

     This time, it's the "seedless miracle grapes." Seedless grapes command a much higher price than the ordinary table grapes.

     By experimenting on different concentrations of a certain growth hormone, Bernardo O. Dizon, a local agriculturist, obtained 100 percent bunches of seedless miracle grapes. The shape and size of the berries are very similar to Thompson seedless grapes. (Grown locally, Thompson seedless was found out to be non-productive and non-resistant to pest and diseases).

     From his findings, Dizon found out that his marcotted miracle grape is the only variety that bears fruit throughout the year and produces 10 kilos during the first years and bear fruits just four months after the date of planting. Moreover, it is the sweetest variety among those locally grown which fact has been confirmed by the PCARD at Los Baños, Laguna, Dizon said.

     Similar to the Brazilian hybrid, Dizon's miracle grapes have bigger berries and are resistant to cracking.

     Dizon also observed that berries treated with a certain kind of growth hormone hasten maturity by 15 to 30 days and grow bigger than the untreated ones. Raisins are also obtained in the same bunch. He did not, however, disclose the formula of the secret growth hormone.

     According to him, other varieties like the Red cardinal, Black ribier, and Malaga do not respond well to the secret hormone.

     With his newest discovery. Dizon predicted that seedless miracle grapes shall become the number one table grape in the country. He said this variety is capable of turning out an average yield of from five to 10 kilos per vine during one fruiting season. He was also able to perfect the process of continuous fruiting where a fruiting vine is induced to bear new fruits within only 45 days of each other.

     Dizon said grape growers in Luzon need not worry about competition from imported grapes. he said temperate countries such as America, Asia and Europe produce grapes only from July to December. In Luzon, meanwhile, the normal harvest is from January to June, which is generally off-season for the foreign  grape-producing countries.

     This fact, according to Dizon, is due to our sunny weather which enables us to produce at least three regular harvest or year-round production as compared to the temperate countries which have only one fruiting season.

     Dizon said that for quality fruit, proper technology and variety of the vines are the two important factors to consider.