Pre-breeding for developing heat stress resilient grape varieties to ensure yield 

The interest in sustainable and ecologic agricultural practices in grapevine has grown significantly in recent years in the context of ecological transition. Organic mulches are treatments that support the circular economy and positively affect the soil and the plant. They are an alternative to herbicides and other conventional practices since they may influence soil moisture, erosion, structure and weed control. However, their effects on the soil and must microbiota remain unknown.

Ozone is a potent oxidizing compound that quickly decomposes into oxygen without residues. Previous works reported that ozone is not only a disinfectant that directly harms the pathogens of the vine but also activates systemic defense systems in the plant by activating oxidative stress. We assume these systemic defense mechanisms are essential to the vines’ resistance to downy and powdery mildew (Plasmopara viticola & Erysiphe necator, respectively). The goals of the research are to examine the effect of spraying with ozone water on the plant’s resistance against the mentioned pathogens as well as to characterize the metabolic profile of the plants treated with ozone as well as physiological characteristics in the vines such as the level of Photosynthesis and crop yield. Vines in the vineyard sprayed with ozone water at concentrations of 2 and 4 PPM weekly and biweekly, untreated control & conventional spray. Leaves were taken from vines 2,4,7,9 and 11 days after exposure to ozone and inoculated with the pathogens.

Spain is the country with the largest wine-producing area in the EU and its productivity is largely controlled applying fungicides. However, residues of these compounds can move and contaminate surface and groundwater. The objective of this work was to evaluate the capacity of bioadsorbents from different origin to adsorb and immobilize tetraconazole by themselves or when applied as organic soil amendment, and to prevent soil and water contamination by this fungicide. The adsorption of tetraconazole by 3 organic residues: spent mushroom substrate (SMS), green compost (GC) and vine pruning sawdust (VP), as well as by vineyard soils unamended and amended individually with these residues at 1.5% (w/w) was evaluated using the batch equilibrium technique.

Wine perception is a multisensory experience that makes use of the sight, smell, and taste senses. When wine is sensorially assessed, the stimulus received generates multiple signals that tasters convert into organoleptic descriptors. Colour is commonly the first attribute evaluated during wine tasting. Moreover, the colour properties provide the taster with a priori information of the wine’s aroma. This preconceived perception is later confirmed or denied during the aroma evaluation.

Modern agriculture employs large amounts of plastics, such as mulching and greenhouse films, thermal covers, plant protection tubes and tying tape. The latter two types are very common in viticulture. Guard tubes are employed to protect young vines from mechanic and atmospheric damage, whilst polymeric tying tape has replaced natural-origin materials to hold the canopy of vines. Both materials are made on synthetic polymers, which include a range of additives to improve their environmental stability remaining in the environment of vineyards for years. During this time, they are exposed to the range of pesticides (fungicides, insecticides and in a lesser extend herbicides) applied to vines.