Matthew W. Fidelibus
Cooperative Extension Viticulture Specialist
Ph.D., University of Florida, Gainesville, 2002

Phone (559) 646-6510      FAX (559) 646-6593
E-mail: mwf@uckac.edu

Department of Viticulture and Enology
University of California, Davis

Area of Specialty:
Plant physiology of raisin and wine grapes

Research Statement

My laboratory conducts applied and basic research on grapes for raisin, table, and wine. Our broad goals are to develop or refine cultural practices that: reduce production cost, improve yields and quality, or all of these. In raisin systems we are most interested in the effects of different canopy managment systems on vine physiology and on raisin drying. In table grapes, our current focus is on the potential use of abscisic acid (ABA) to improve the color of red and black-fruited grapes. We are also interested in refining the use of forchlorfenuron (CPPU) to improve the size and firmness of grapes. Presently, our winegrape work includes long-term evaluations of Barbera and Syrah selections and of newly released generic winegrape cultivars with good potential for grape juice concentrate production. In conjunction with Dr. Anil Shrestha, UC IPM Weed Ecologist, we also study vineyard weed biology and ecology with the goal of identifying sustainable weed control practices.

Selected Publications

Peppi, M.C., M.A. Walker, and M.W. Fidelibus. In Press. Application of abscisic acid rapidly upregulated UFGT gene expression and improved color of grape berries. Vitis

Peppi, M.C., M.W. Fidelibus, and N.K. Dokoozlian. In Press. Timing and Concentration of Abscisic Acid Applications Affect the Quality of 'Crimson Seedless' Grapes. International Journal of Fruit Science

Peppi, M.C., and M.W. Fidelibus. 2008. Effects of Forchlorfenuron and abscisic acid on the quality of 'Flame Seedless' grapes. HortScience 43:173-176.

Angulo, A., M.W. Fidelibus, and H. Heymann. 2007. Grape cultivar and drying method affect sensory characteristics and consumer preference of raisins. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 87:865-870.

Cantin, C.M., M.W. Fidelibus, and C.H. Crisosto. 2007. Application of abscisic acid (ABA) at veraison advanced red color development and maintained postharvest quality of 'Crimson Seedless' grapes. Postharvest Biology and Technology 46:237-241.

Fidelibus, M.W., K.A. Cathline, and J.K. Burns. 2007. Potential abscission agents for raisin, table, and wine grapes. HortScience 42:1626-1630.

Fidelibus, M.W., S.J. Vasquez, and K.A. Cathline. 2007. Canopy separation and defoliation do not improve the dry-on-vine (DOV) raisin-making method for 'Thompson Seedless' grapevines on traditional trellises. Journal of the American Pomological Society 61:61-70.

Fidelibus, M.W., L.P. Christensen, D.G. Katayama, P.T. Verdenal, and K.A. Cathline. 2007. Fruit characteristics of six Merlot grapevine selections in the Central San Joaquin Valley, California. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture 58:259-261.

Peppi, M.C., Fidelibus, M.W., and Dokoozlian, N.K. 2007. Application timing and concentration of abscisic acid affect the quality of 'Redglobe' grapes. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 82:304-310.

Fidelibus, M. W., L. P. Christensen, D. G. Katayama, and P.T. Verdenal. 2006. Yield components and fruit composition of six 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grapevine selections in the Central San Joaquin Valley, California. Journal of the American Pomological Society 60:32-36.

Fidelibus, M.W., L.P. Christensen, D.G. Katayama, and P.T. Verdenal. 2006. Yield components and fruit composition of six Chardonnay grapevine clones in the Central San Joaquin Valley, California. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture 57(4):503-506

Peppi, M.C., M.W. Fidelibus, and N. Dokoozlian. 2006. Abscisic acid application timing and concentration affect firmness, pigmentation, and color of 'Flame Seedless' grapes. HortScience 41:1440-1445.

Fidelibus, M. W., L. P. Christensen, D. G. Katayama, and P.T. Verdenal. 2005. Performance of Zinfandel and Primitivo Grapevine Selections in the Central San Joaquin Valley, California. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture 56(3): 284-286.

Shrestha A., and M.W. Fidelibus. 2005. Grapevine row orientation affects light environment, growth, and development of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum). Weed Science 53(6):802-812.