Debudding is an operation which consists of removing certain buds on the vine's spurs and/or branches that are considered to be of little or no use to the vine at the time of pruning.
2.3.1.a What is debudding?
What is the difference between growth-shaping and fruit-bearing debudding?
Growth-shaping debudding consists of removing the buds of no fruit-bearing value and/or that are judged unnecessary for a young vine's formation. Fruit-bearing debudding consists of removing, from both young and adult vines, buds that could potentially produce grapes from the spurs and/or branches.
What is the benefit?
As previously mentioned, growth-shaping debudding is essential in order to remove any buds that will not be necessary to shape the young vine during the subsequent winter pruning or older vine rehabilitation. It thus makes it possible to limit the wood's development and its accumulation, and to reduce the number of pruning strokes and therefore the number of pruning wounds.
Fruit-bearing debudding has several benefits, in particular controlling and maintaining a predetermined yield through the removal of superfluous buds. This action also enables the fruit load to be distributed evenly over the entire vine and to improve ventilation by avoiding an excessive accumulation of growth favourable to the development of fungal diseases (Botrytis). Finally, debudding limits the number of sap wells and conserves the vine's energy.