Which training system generally takes longer to establish due to permanent wood?

• A. Head training.
• B. Cordon training.
• C. Untrellised vines.
• D. Replacement cane pruning.

Answer: (B)

Permanent wood set-up affects how quickly a vineyard can become productive. In cordon training, a fixed framework of permanent arms runs along the trellis, with a trunk that stays year after year. It takes several seasons for that cordon to grow in, mature, and for buds along the cordon to become productive, so full production is delayed. Other systems rely on annual growth or shorter-lived wood, so they can reach workable yields sooner. Head training forms a short, stable canopy more quickly, untrellised vines grow and fruit from new shoots each year, and replacement cane pruning renews canes annually rather than building long-lived permanent arms. Therefore, cordon training generally takes longer to establish due to the need to develop permanent wood.